How To Be A Handmade Boss

Steph Cole-Lewis

Whether you’re a complete beginner on Etsy, or want to scale your handmade business to multi-6 figures, the “How To Be A Handmade Boss” podcast gives you actionable advice and workshop style full length episodes to grow your handmade business on Etsy and beyond.We get it. Starting or growing a handmade business can be really overwhelming, and sometimes you feel like you have an expensive hobby rather than a profitable business. If you have questions like “How can I make sales in my business?” “How do I start a handmade shop?” “How can I make this passion my full-time gig?” or “How do I sell my crafts online” then you’re in the right place boss!I’m Steph, a multi 6-figure handmade business owner (in the top 0.1% of all shops on Etsy), bestselling author of “How to be a handmade boss”, visionary and coach behind Handmade Bosses. However, It wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns though. Today, my business(es) are bustling, but way back in 2014 when I started, it was HARD. Favourites but no sales, slow sales and low profits seemed in the beginning, like the trajectory of my business. Luckily following the system I’ve now curated, All of that changed and I went full-time in my handmade business in 2016.Let’s focus on turning your passion into profit, because the world really does need these special creations that you only bring to life.

  1. 2 days ago

    #120 - Etsy for Beginners: How to Know If Your Handmade Product Is Ready to Sell

    👉 Free resource: Why Your Etsy Listings Aren’t Selling Yet - and What To Do About It - www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales This will help you spot what might be stopping buyers from clicking, trusting, and buying from your listings. 💡Thinking about starting an Etsy shop, but not sure if your handmade product is actually ready to sell? In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest mistakes Etsy beginners make: opening a shop before checking whether their product is clear, sellable, repeatable, profitable, and easy for buyers to understand. Because a product can be beautiful and still not be ready for Etsy yet. Slightly rude, but very useful to know. ☕ You’ll learn: ✨ How to tell if a stranger would understand your product quickly ✨ Why “I like making this” is not the same as “buyers want this” ✨ How to check if your product has a clear buyer, occasion, or purpose ✨ Why repeatability matters for handmade sellers ✨ How to think about pricing and profit before you list ✨ What to look for on Etsy to check buyer demand ✨ How to explain why your product is the right choice This is perfect if you’re brand new to Etsy, turning your hobby into a handmade business, or feeling overwhelmed by what to sell first. Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 #116 - Etsy For Beginners: Why Your Listings Aren’t Selling Yet If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    12 min
  2. 17 Jun

    #119 - How To Get Your First Etsy Sales Without Posting Everywhere

    👉 Grab the free guide here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales ❓ Trying to get your first Etsy sales can feel like you need to be everywhere at once. Instagram. TikTok. Pinterest. Facebook. Email. Carrier pigeon. Absolutely not. This Etsy for beginners video shows you what to focus on first when you’re new to  Etsy and want actual sales, not just endless content faff. What you’ll learn: ✅ Why your Etsy shop needs fixing before you drive traffic ✅ How to get your first Etsy sales without posting everywhere ✅ What simple traffic actually looks like for handmade sellers ✅ Why one platform is enough to start ✅ How to turn views into buyers, not just nosy browsers If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    12 min
  3. 10 Jun

    #118 - Etsy SEO For Beginners: Stop Using Random Keywords

    Etsy SEO sounds fancy, but honestly? It’s mostly about using the words your buyers are already typing into Etsy. This Etsy for beginners video is for handmade sellers who are new to Etsy and feel like keywords are some sort of secret code guarded by a very smug algorithm. They’re not. Promise. What you’ll learn: What Etsy SEO actually means Why vague keywords hurt your listings How to find buyer-friendly Etsy keywords Where to use keywords in your listing How to start your Etsy shop with clearer, searchable listings And if your Etsy listings still aren’t selling yet, grab the free guide here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    11 min
  4. 3 Jun

    #117 - How To Start Your Etsy Shop Without Overthinking Everything

    Starting your Etsy shop does not need to become a full-blown personality crisis. If you’re new to Etsy and trying to get everything perfect before you list anything, this Etsy for beginners video will help you focus on what actually matters first. The free guide, Why Your Etsy Listings Aren’t Selling Yet - and What To Do About It, will help you avoid the listing mistakes that stop new shops getting sales. What you’ll learn: What you actually need before you start your Etsy shop What to stop wasting time on Why your first listings matter more than your branding How to get your Etsy shop live without overthinking What to focus on if you want your first Etsy sales Start your Etsy shop simply. Fix the basics. Then improve as you go, like a normal human, not a frazzled craft goblin with 19 tabs open. Grab the free guide here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    10 min
  5. 27 May

    #116 - Etsy For Beginners: Why Your Listings Aren’t Selling Yet

    If your Etsy listings aren’t selling yet, don’t panic and don’t start dramatically deleting your entire shop at midnight. Start here. This free guide, Why Your Etsy Listings Aren’t Selling Yet - and What To Do About It, will help you spot what’s actually stopping shoppers from buying, without the faff. This Etsy for beginners video is for handmade sellers who are new to Etsy, have listed their products, and are now wondering why the sales are not exactly rolling in like a craft fair stampede. What you’ll learn: Why “no sales” does not automatically mean your product is bad The listing mistakes that put buyers off Why your title, photos and description need to work together What to fix before you panic about Etsy SEO How to start selling on Etsy with a clearer, calmer plan New to Etsy? Start your Etsy shop with the basics done properly. No fluff. No dramatic spiralling. Just fix the bit that’s actually broken. Grab the free guide here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    11 min
  6. 20 May

    #115 - Etsy for Beginners: How Hannah Turned Her Hobby Into a Real Handmade Business

    Are you new to Etsy? Or maybe you’ve started selling your handmade products but still feel like you’re winging it with a cup of tea in one hand and mild panic in the other? In this episode of How to Be a Handmade Boss, I’m chatting with Hannah Kinchin, a ceramicist and potter based in Cornwall, about how she went from making pottery as a hobby to building a real handmade business. This is a brilliant watch if you’re looking for Etsy for beginners advice, handmade business inspiration, or a proper peek behind the scenes of what it actually takes to turn your creativity into something that makes money. In this video, you’ll learn: • How Hannah started selling on Etsy  • Why getting your foundations right matters so much  • How branding, product photography and Etsy listings helped her grow  • Why knowing your target market makes selling easier  • How she moved from hobby maker to business owner  • What changed when she started treating her handmade business seriously  • Why creative people absolutely can make money from what they love  • Hannah’s advice for anyone just starting out on Etsy By the end of this episode, you’ll see what’s possible when you stop faffing, start properly, and build your handmade business with intention. Because yes, you can be financially comfortable doing what you love. Even if right now your business plan is mostly vibes, clay dust and “I’ll sort that later.” ✨ Connect with Hannah:  Instagram: @hannahkinchin  Website: hannahkinchinceramics.com If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    30 min
  7. 13 May

    #114 - Starting an Etsy Shop on a Budget: What to Spend, What to Skip, and What Actually Matters

    Want to start an Etsy shop without spending a fortune? In this episode, I’m breaking down how to start your Etsy shop on a budget without wasting money on the wrong things 💸✨ We’re covering what beginner Etsy sellers should actually spend on first, what to skip for now, how to make your shop feel trustworthy on a tight budget, and how to avoid the classic mistake of throwing money at fluff before you’ve proven the product. Inside this episode: 🛍️ what to prioritise when your startup budget is small 📸 how to improve your listing photos without expensive gear 📦 budget-friendly packaging that still feels professional 🔎 what your Etsy stats are really telling you 🚫 what not to waste money on when you’re just starting 🧠 how to stay focused so your budget doesn’t vanish into chaos This is especially for beginner handmade sellers on Etsy, but it’ll help if you sell handmade products on any platform. I also mention my freebie, Why Your Etsy Listings Aren’t Selling Yet - and What To Do About It, which will help you figure out what might be putting buyers off and what to fix first. 🔗 https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales  If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    17 min
  8. 6 May

    #113 - Etsy Shop Not Getting Sales? The Real Reasons Your Shop Feels Quiet

    🙊 If your Etsy shop feels weirdly quiet, this episode is for you. 👻 We’re digging into the real reasons your shop can feel like a ghost town, even when you’re trying hard, tweaking things constantly, and doing “all the right stuff.” We cover the difference between a traffic problem and a conversion problem, how robotic SEO can quietly kill clicks, why cluttered product photos put buyers off, and what a confusing storefront does to trust. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: 💡 how to tell whether your Etsy problem is visibility or conversion 💡 why keyword-stuffed titles can make buyers scroll straight past 💡 what your first listing photo actually needs to do 💡 how muddled branding creates hesitation 💡 what buyers are thinking when they land on your product pages 💡 what to check in your Etsy stats before you start changing everything 💡 how to make your shop feel clearer, stronger, and easier to buy from This is a proper Etsy shop audit-style episode for beginner handmade sellers who want more than generic advice. 🛍️ If your listings are getting views but not sales, grab the freebie Why Your Etsy Listings Aren’t Selling Yet - and What To Do About It. It’ll help you spot what’s putting buyers off and what to fix first without the overwhelm. 🔗 https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales The bigger Handmade Bosses growth system behind this kind of diagnosis is rooted in getting clear on what’s keeping sellers stuck and building a business with clarity, confidence, and direction, rather than chasing random tactics. If your Etsy shop feels slow, random, or like you’re constantly changing things without knowing if any of it is actually working… HBSA is officially open. This is our complete academy for handmade business owners who are ready to stop guessing and start building a business that can bring in consistent sales… on Etsy, your own website or in person events. Inside HBSA, we help you fix the things that actually move your business forward. Your listings. Your traffic. Your shop structure. Your sales process. So instead of waking up, checking Etsy, and hoping the algorithm has decided to be generous today… You know what to focus on. You know what to fix first. And you have a clear plan for growing your handmade business without burning yourself out or constantly making more products. And right now, when you join HBSA, you’ll get immediate access bonuses worth over £20,000. But, if you join before Monday 29th June at 8pm UK time, you’ll get the limited-time HBSA Kickstart Kit bonus. That’s your personalised roadmap showing you where your business is now, what stage you’re really at, and exactly what to focus on first inside the academy. It’s worth £197, and it disappears Monday at 8pm. Doors close completely on Thursday 2nd July at 8pm UK time. Go to handmadebo...

    16 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

Whether you’re a complete beginner on Etsy, or want to scale your handmade business to multi-6 figures, the “How To Be A Handmade Boss” podcast gives you actionable advice and workshop style full length episodes to grow your handmade business on Etsy and beyond.We get it. Starting or growing a handmade business can be really overwhelming, and sometimes you feel like you have an expensive hobby rather than a profitable business. If you have questions like “How can I make sales in my business?” “How do I start a handmade shop?” “How can I make this passion my full-time gig?” or “How do I sell my crafts online” then you’re in the right place boss!I’m Steph, a multi 6-figure handmade business owner (in the top 0.1% of all shops on Etsy), bestselling author of “How to be a handmade boss”, visionary and coach behind Handmade Bosses. However, It wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns though. Today, my business(es) are bustling, but way back in 2014 when I started, it was HARD. Favourites but no sales, slow sales and low profits seemed in the beginning, like the trajectory of my business. Luckily following the system I’ve now curated, All of that changed and I went full-time in my handmade business in 2016.Let’s focus on turning your passion into profit, because the world really does need these special creations that you only bring to life.

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