The Handmade Bosses Show

By Stephanie Cole-Lewis

Stephanie C from Handmade Bosses reveals what it’s like to run a successful handmade business on Etsy and beyond. This podcast is for those of you who are serious creatives, who want to turn your side... more

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FAQs about The Handmade Bosses Show:

How many episodes does The Handmade Bosses Show have?

The podcast currently has 35 episodes available.

The Handmade Bosses Show episodes:

January 18, 202226 - Why Listening To One Coach Is Important
In today's episode I’m joined by Sophie to talk about why listening to one coach is important
Things we talk about in this episode:
- How Sophie has first hand experience of listening to too many Etsy coaches, which subsequently damaged her shop
- Sophie then found Steph, and her advice actually worked, and Sophie started seeing results
- If you find a coach, you need to see their stats, their Etsy shop, and proof that they know what they’re talking about
- Listening to too many coaches can be very overwhelming, and you may find yourself giving up before you get started
- Make sure you find someone who you gel with, and enjoy watching and being taught by
- You won’t like everyone and there will be coaches who annoy you, you won’t learn from these coaches, so move on and find another who you’re happy with
- Every coach has their own way to do things, but if you take advice from multiple sources, you’ll end up confusing yourself and your customers because your brand/ shop will look mismatched
- Don’t take advice from people who are not where you want to be, or don’t have the experience that can teach you how to get there
- The way people teach is key - some coaches teach using worksheets and visuals etc. Find a coach who teaches in a way that helps you understand and take the information in
- We all learn in different ways, so it’s important to find someone who teaches in a style that you get
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
34min
January 14, 2022Mini Episode - Being Resourceful, And Thinking Outside Of The Box (Investing In Your Business)
In today's episode I’m joined by Sophie to talk about being resourceful, and thinking outside of the box in your handmade business
Things we talk about in this episode:
- Being resourceful to save money initially
- Problem solving in your business is a good skill to learn
- Thinking outside the box, how can you save money
- Train your mindset
- Email sequence tips
- How to overcome procrastination
- Free vs paid platforms and which ones you should have
- Breaking the barrier of saving time not money
- Investing in education is the best resource you can invest in for your business
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
11min
January 11, 202225 - Why Handmade Business Owners Need A Funnel To Get To $100k
In today's episode I’m talking about why handmade business owners need a funnel to get to $100k
Things I talk about in this episode:
- A funnel is a v shape with the widest part at the top where you gather your people, and then filter them down through the funnel (or the V) to the bottom point where you get a buyer at the end
- A funnel sounds scary, but it’s not. It’s just a way to filter out those people who are not in your target market, and focus on those who are
- You don’t want to become just another Etsy shop, you want to build a brand
- Your funnel creates super fan profit generators (SFPG) through your target market and branding.
- SFPG means that you are connecting with them on another level, they love your brand so much, and they’ll tell everyone about you. They become super fans, they buy from you no questions asked
- You’d rather have 100 super fans who buy your products and become repeat customers, than 1000 people who don’t love your brand, and are not crazy about your products
- You become an expert by using content marketing to show yourself as an authority. This builds trust with your brand, and this is so important to getting more sales.
- You build trust through the funnel, so this is why you need one in place
- Your brand needs to always stay at the top of customers' minds when they need your product.
- Do you feel like you’re constantly on a hamster wheel trying to get new people in and getting views and sales? Then you are ignoring your tribe who have already bought from you
- You are twice as likely to convert those who have already bought from you, than those who haven't’
- The Handmade Bosses Success Academy teaches you how to sell naturally on Etsy and beyond
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
10min
January 07, 2022Mini Episode - The Power Of Knowing Your Target Market In Your Handmade Business
In today's episode I’m joined by Erik Paul of Rocky Mountain Woodcraft to chat about how the power of knowing his target market grew his handmade woodwork business 10x in less than a year! Erik has recently earned his first 6 figures in a year too!
Things we talk about in this episode:
- How Erik had to choose carefully the products he sells, in order to ship them efficiently
- How the about section, being thorough with the personal story, about the business and being handmade helps to build trust in his brand
- The importance of post sale care to educate the customers on how to care for their products, leads to repeat customers
- How much the business has grown in a year
- How Erik expanded his skill set to improve his craft
- Once he knew his target market, he could create products that he knew they would love and buy
- Erik's customers then told him what they wanted, and he listened and create some best seller products
- The power of knowing your target audience, and how you can use that to build a successful business
- Erik is now looking into wholesale opportunities for the future
Where to find Erik online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockymtnwoodcraft/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockymtnwoodcraft
Website: https://rockymtnwoodcraft.com/

Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
9min
January 04, 202224 - How This Etsy Seller Turned Her Macrame Hobby Into A Thriving Business During A Pandemic.
In today's episode I’m joined by Savannah to talk about how she built a successful macrame business during the covid 19 pandemic.
Things we talk about in this episode:
- Savannah hand makes macrame wall hangings and accessories after losing her full time job due to the pandemic
- Since losing her job, it has been hard to find a new job, so she really got back into macrame and opened up her very own Etsy shop
- Savannah started her Etsy shop in February 2021, and has already achieved so much in her business
- All of Savannah’s products are eco friendly and made out of recycled cotton that would have ended up in landfill
- It started out as a hobby 3 years ago, but the pandemic enabled her to throw herself back into her passion for macrame
- Savannah makes every piece unique by using natural driftwood found on the local beach
- Her husband is a graphic designer, and helped with creating the business logo
- Savannah is confident to say that she owns a business now
- The SEO topic in the Handmade Bosses Success Academy helped Savannah to know she's on the right track when creating new listings for Etsy
- Since taking the course, Savannah’s orders have increased, she has a better price range, and variety of items that her target audience loves
- She is finding social media exciting again after getting to know her target audience, and being able to create a home hub for them to hang out.
Where to find Savannah online:

Etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/knotandolive
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/knotandolive/

Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
32min
December 21, 202122 - The 2 Most Important Free Places To Look For Keywords
In today's episode I’m chatting about where my top 2 places are to find keywords, for FREE!
Things I talk about in this episode:
- We want to find the perfect keywords for our business to sell our products
- There is no such thing as PERFECT keywords
- Keywords depend on what you sell, your target market and your business
- Etsy search bar is where you should be double checking your keywords, but also finding them
- When typing in the Etsy search bar , it will auto populate with some suggested keywords
- Research your keywords on the platform where you are going to sell your products
- Don’t just use eRank and Marmalead, these just give ideas for keywords
- Look at your own stats
- Look at the stats of individual listings by going to the cog next to each listing
- These are keywords that are bringing people to your shop already
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
9min
December 14, 202121 - Yes, You Should Be Duplicating Your Listings. No, It's Not A Bad Thing
In today's episode I’m chatting about how important it is to be duplicating your listings on Etsy!
Things I talk about in this episode:
- A lot of people don’t know that you can duplicate your listings on Etsy
- Your item can be used for lots of different reasons, and lots of different occasions, and may have lots of different uses
- It is impossible to condense all of those reasons, occasions and uses into one single listing
- Duplicate the listing as many times as you need to, and use different keywords
- Duplicate the listing and use different photos and copy too
- Cater for the person who is buying that item as a gift for someone else. What would they use to search for it?
- For example, a locket necklace can be used for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, a birthday gift, a family keepsake or a bereavement gift.
- Dive deep into the occasion and reason of the item, and use keywords to target those people looking for a gift for that occasion
- Consider how different people shop, and what their mindset is like when shopping
- Cater the duplications of your listings to the person who is going to be searching for it.
- Duplications are also fantastic to test things out too! Including what photos work best, what tags work best, what copy works best etc.
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
5min
December 07, 202120 - How This Etsy Sellers Woodwork Business Grew 10x In Less Than A Year
In today's episode I’m joined by Erik Paul of Rocky Mountain Woodcraft to chat about how he grew his handmade woodwork business 10x in less than a year! Erik has recently earned his first 6 figures in a year too!
Things we talk about in this episode:
- Erik handmakes custom epoxy resin woodwork.
- How his Grandpa influenced his love for woodworking, which was a big part of his childhood.
- How the pandemic reignited Erik’s passion for woodworking, and drove him to start the business in August 2020.
- How Erik creates his own wood conditioner to keep his boards looking their best after purchase.
- Erik now offers personalised engraving, after investing in an engraver.
- Working from home in his garage, but the business has expanded so much, and he has now outgrown this.
- Erik rented a space for epoxy resin to increase the processing time on his orders.
- Found Steph on YouTube in June 2020, and then joined the Facebook group.
- The Handmade Bosses Success Academy worked too well, and he couldn’t get through the entire course because of the increase in the amount of orders.
- The target market section of the HBSA helped Erik the most in business, he knew what upgrades to make and can cater to what his target audience like and want.
- Erik works full time, then started the business, and has spent the first year reinvesting the profits into the business so he can leave his current job.
- Rocky Mountain Woodcraft is a family business which he runs with his wife Kristen who is currently on maternity leave with their baby son.
- How Erik makes and sends wood board butter and care instructions to his customers to maintain the items after purchase.
- Erik plans to run his business full time in a year, upgrade his workshop, bring in staff, and attend live markets and events
- A piece of advice from Erik is to try to limit the products to what is actually selling, and use your target market to influence what to make/ invest in.
Where to find Erik online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockymtnwoodcraft/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockymtnwoodcraft
Website: https://rockymtnwoodcraft.com/
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
40min
November 30, 202119 - 6 Ways To Make More Money By Doing Less In Your Handmade Business
In today's episode I’m joined by Sophie to talk to about 6 ways to make more money by doing less
Things we talk about in this episode:
- Automate as much as possible.
- Automate your social media by using tools such as Later, or the native Facebook scheduling tool
- Automate emails and Etsy messages by using saved snippets
- Create upsells for your items - offer something to add on to an existing purchase by using your variations
- Create a cross sale - add something of MORE value
- Outsourcing - outsource the things you don’t want to do - for example taxes, social media scheduling, reply to non urgent emails
- Shadow yourself for a week and write down everything you do - and see where you’re wasting time
- Implement the 80/20 rule - where 80% of your results come from 20% of your actions.
- We think we’re busy when we’re not really
- Spend a day batch creating - It’s going to save you time, and money in the end
- Increase your prices - your pricing may be putting your customers off
- Perceived value pricing - show your customers that your items are worth the money
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
18min
November 26, 2021Mini Episode: Why It's Important To Change In Business & Trust Your Gut
In today's episode I’m joined by Caron from Caron Made to chat about why it’s important to change in business, and trust your gut.
Things we chat about in this episode:
- Things change all of the time in business
- Don’t be afraid to try new things
- Test new things, try them out or you won’t know if they work or not.
- Change and listen to feedback from your customers, use this in your changes
- Ask your customers! Utilise your social media followers too!
- Streamline the process in your business to save time.
- Think outside of the box
- Look at your processes to make it better for you
- Trust your gut - don’t second guess yourself
- Doesn’t always matter what you say, do what your gut says!
- Perseverance - it’s not going to happen overnight!
- Use your time wisely
Where to find Caron online:

Website: caronmade.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caronmade.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaronMade.uk/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CaronMade?ref=search_shop_redirect
Links from the episode:
- Interested in enrolling to the Handmade Bosses Success Academy? - https://www.handmadebosses.com/HBSAenrol
- The 3 Step System To Skyrocket Your Etsy Conversion Rate - https://www.handmadebosses.com/conversion
- The 30 Day to A Kick Butt Etsy Shop Launch Plan - https://www.handmadebosses.com/30days
- Find out more about Steph -
  https://www.handmadebosses.com/aboutsteph
Handmade Bosses Socials:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses
- https://www.instagram.com/handmadebosses/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/HandmadeBosses
...more
9min

FAQs about The Handmade Bosses Show:

How many episodes does The Handmade Bosses Show have?

The podcast currently has 35 episodes available.