The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things

Paul Mencel

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of Making Things" is where craftsmanship meets business strategy. Hosted by Paul, founder of Philadelphia Table Co. and The Handcrafted Network, this podcast dives into the mindset, pricing, marketing, and systems that help makers turn their craft into a thriving business. Whether you're a woodworker, artisan, or creative entrepreneur, you’ll learn the strategies to build a profitable, sustainable business—because great craftsmanship deserves great business strategy.

  1. 6d ago

    The Sales Muscle: How to Generate Revenue When Cash Flow Gets Tight

    Start your Free Trial.  Summary: Paul shares a candid update on Philadelphia Table Company's recent cash flow challenges and the practical steps he took to stabilize the business. From accelerating collections and leaning on vendor relationships to aggressively pursuing sales opportunities, he breaks down the mindset and tactics that helped pull the company out of a difficult period. The core lesson: growth often requires doing the uncomfortable things you've been avoiding.  Key Takeaways: Cash flow problems require immediate action.Pre-invoiced projects nearing completion.Utilized a business line of credit for short-term liquidity.Used credit strategically with trusted vendors.Negotiated additional payment time with long-term suppliers.Strong vendor relationships matter.Loyalty and trust built over years can provide critical flexibility during difficult periods.Good vendors understand the realities of running a small business.Every lead becomes valuable during a slowdown.Followed up on every inquiry regardless of perceived budget or fit.Engaged prospects more deeply instead of dismissing vague inquiries.The phone is an underutilized sales tool.Added phone calls after email and text follow-ups.Closed multiple deals simply by speaking directly with prospects.Personal conversations build trust much faster than digital communication.Focus on relationships, not transactions.Ask questions about clients' lives, homes, families, and interests.Finding common ground creates comfort and confidence in the buying process.Move conversations toward scheduled meetings.Rather than endless messaging, proactively book phone calls and consultations.Collect contact information and create opportunities for follow-up."Shake the trees."Reconnect with past clients, designers, architects, and referral partners.Many opportunities already exist within your network.Ask for referrals directly.People often want to help but don't know you need help.Simple referral requests can generate meaningful opportunities.Experiment with closing strategies.Testing a smaller design deposit ($500) as a lower-friction entry point.Reduce perceived risk before asking for larger project commitments.If you don't have leads, create them.Use social media, direct outreach, local groups, networking, ads, and community connections.Marketing and sales activity must increase when work slows down.The biggest lesson: Get uncomfortable.Growth often comes from doing the things you've been avoiding.The actions that feel awkward are frequently the ones that move the business forward the fastest. Memorable Quote: "You have to be doing the thing that you're afraid to do but you know that you need to do." Join the Network

    17 min

  2. Jun 8

    The Cash Flow Crunch: Navigating Growth, Uncertainty, and Survival Mode

    Join the Network Summary In this candid episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on a real-time cash flow crisis at Philadelphia Table Company. Rather than presenting a polished success story, he shares the anxiety, decision-making, and lessons that come with running and growing a custom furniture business during a slow sales period. Paul discusses how a significant drop in May sales, combined with delayed commercial project payments, created unexpected financial pressure. He explains the emotional challenges of operating in survival mode while trying to maintain confidence in the sales process and avoid making short-sighted business decisions. The episode becomes both a cautionary tale and a practical guide for makers, covering the importance of cash reserves, profitability, lines of credit, customer follow-up, and operational efficiency. Most importantly, Paul emphasizes that business struggles are normal, even for established companies, and that resilience, community, and long-term thinking are often the keys to making it through difficult periods.  Key Takeaways May sales came in roughly 50% below normal levels, creating significant cash flow pressure.A $90,000 commercial project was delayed when the client required prototype approval before releasing a meaningful deposit.Desperation can negatively impact sales, especially in luxury markets where clients can sense pressure.Cash reserves are essential; Paul recommends building dedicated business savings equal to at least several payroll cycles.Never discount projects below profitable levels just to generate immediate cash.Accelerating final invoices and scheduling deliveries earlier can create short-term cash flow relief.Business lines of credit and credit cards should be contingency tools, not primary funding sources.Slow periods can reveal inefficiencies and force businesses to become leaner and more effective.Revisiting old quotes and leads can quickly revive sales opportunities.High-touch sales tactics—showroom visits, Zoom calls, Loom videos, and phone calls—help build trust and shorten the sales cycle.Leaning on peers, mentors, and business communities is invaluable during difficult periods.Growth brings larger challenges, but every crisis can become an opportunity to improve systems and strengthen the business. Memorable Theme "It's not all sunshine and rainbows." This episode is a reminder that successful businesses still face uncertainty, and that transparency about challenges can be just as valuable as sharing wins.  Join the Network

    19 min

  3. Jun 1

    The 5 Traits of a Great Business (And How Makers Can Apply Them)

    Alex Hormozi Podcast. Join The Network.  Summary: In this episode, Paul breaks down a business framework popularized by Alex Hormozi and translates it specifically for makers, woodworkers, and custom furniture businesses. He explores the five characteristics that make businesses stronger, more scalable, and more profitable—and challenges listeners to evaluate their own businesses through that lens.  While some of these traits come naturally to handcrafted businesses, others—particularly repeat business and operational simplicity—can be difficult for makers who rely on custom projects. Paul shares how Philadelphia Table Company is tackling these challenges and offers practical ways listeners can improve their own businesses.  Key Takeaways: Sticky Businesses Win: The best businesses create repeat customers. Makers should explore ways to increase customer retention through complementary products, designer relationships, memberships, or referral incentives. Expensive Is Good: Higher-priced products create the margins needed to grow. Focus on increasing perceived value without adding unnecessary complexity to your work. Work in an Expanding Market: Handmade, bespoke products continue to attract consumers looking for alternatives to mass production, making craftsmanship a strong long-term opportunity. Be Uniquely Different: While many makers sell similar products, the way you design, position, or deliver those products can become your competitive advantage. Make Your Business Easier to Operate: Simplifying processes, creating product collections, and reducing unnecessary complexity can help businesses scale more sustainably. Evaluate Your Business Honestly: Use these five categories as a scorecard to identify weaknesses and opportunities for growth. Questions or thoughts about this episode? Reach out to Paul at paul@thehandcraftednetwork.com or join the conversation inside Handcrafted Network. Join the Network

    17 min

  4. May 25

    Your Style Is the Moat: How Makers Build Work That Can’t Be Compared

    Join Us Summary: In this episode, Paul reflects on attending the ICFF design show in New York and uses the experience as a jumping-off point to explore one of the hardest questions for makers: What is your personal style, and why does it matter? He discusses the tension between inspiration and imitation, custom work versus collections, and how developing a recognizable creative identity can become a competitive advantage. Drawing from his background in music, Paul compares furniture design to songwriting and cover bands—arguing that the goal isn’t to invent from nothing, but to reinterpret influences in a way that becomes unmistakably your own. The episode challenges makers to identify the “through line” in their work and build a brand around what makes them uniquely difficult to replace.  Key Takeaways: ICFF and creative reflection: Trade shows can inspire, but also reveal how much work in an industry starts to feel repetitive—and why standing out matters. Personal style creates defensibility: The easiest way to reduce competition is to create work with a distinct voice that clients can’t easily compare on price alone. Borrow, remix, reinterpret: Great creative work often comes from combining influences rather than inventing in isolation. The question becomes: What’s your version of the classic?Look for your “through line”: Review past projects and identify recurring themes, shapes, details, or philosophies that consistently show up in your work. Technical growth expands creative possibilities: Improving skills often opens new design directions that previously felt outside your comfort zone. Collections require clarity: Before investing heavily in branding, websites, or product lines, spend time refining what your creative identity actually is. Questions are valuable: Growth often comes less from receiving answers and more from asking better questions about your work and business. If this episode sparked something for you: What’s the through line in your work—and what would make someone instantly recognize it as yours? Join the Network

    14 min

  5. May 18

    What Interior Designers Actually Value: Survey Insights That Could Change Your Marketing Strategy

    Join the Network:  Article Here:   Paul breaks down findings from an interior designer industry survey and translates them into practical takeaways for furniture makers, woodworkers, and custom vendors. The episode focuses on where clients are willing to spend, what luxury buyers prioritize, and how makers can better position their businesses to work with interior designers and repeat clients.  The biggest takeaway: many makers may be spending too much time marketing things clients don’t actually value—and not enough time emphasizing what drives buying decisions like quality, lead times, and service.  Key Takeaways: Clients are willing to spend on furniture — you don’t need to sell the category. The challenge isn’t convincing people to buy furniture; it’s convincing them to buy from you. Marketing should focus on differentiation, trust, and why your company is the right fit. Quality matters more than sustainability. Survey respondents ranked quality of materials and finishes as a top priority, while sustainability ranked surprisingly low. Paul suggests makers may need to shift messaging toward craftsmanship, durability, and material quality rather than leading with eco-friendly positioning. Interior designers prefer vendors to come to them. Office visits significantly outperform virtual meetings. For makers doing cold outreach, bringing samples directly to designers’ offices may be more effective than asking for Zoom calls or showroom visits. Lead time transparency is one of the biggest competitive advantages. Designers care deeply about realistic production schedules and visibility into timelines. Better communication around lead times could be a stronger selling point than discounts or white-glove services. Trade discounts may matter less than expected. Designers appear to value reliability, responsiveness, and timeline clarity more than vendor discounts. Community creates leverage. Paul opens by sharing how both new members and his own business benefited from the Handcrafted Network—using the community for support, collaboration, and specialized expertise to complete projects. Closing Thought: The episode encourages makers to stop guessing what clients and designers value and instead use real data to refine marketing, improve service, and position their businesses around what buyers actually care about.  Join the Network

    14 min

  6. May 11

    Why Clients Don’t Choose You: The “Why Not?” Exercise That Can Transform Your Business

    Year of growth course.  Summary: In this episode, Paul dives into a powerful mindset shift that came from intentionally slowing down and creating space to think. While reflecting during quiet moments with his newborn son, he began exploring a question most business owners never ask deeply enough: not just “Why do customers choose us?” but “Why don’t they?” Using Philadelphia Table Company as a real-world example, Paul breaks down how identifying “why nots” can reveal the biggest growth opportunities in your business—from pricing perception and brand positioning to timelines, customer experience, and product structure. He also explores category positioning, luxury strategy, and how understanding your market tier can help you create a stronger competitive edge.  Key Takeaways & Highlights: The power of boredom and reflection Paul talks about intentionally creating mental space to think instead of constantly staying busy. Some of the best strategic insights come when you stop consuming and simply reflect. Ask “Why Not?” instead of only “Why Us?” Most businesses focus on why customers buy from them. Paul explains how identifying the reasons customers don’tchoose you uncovers the real friction points in your business. Common “why nots” for custom makers Paul shares real examples from PTC, including:Budget concernsClients not understanding the valueLong lead timesToo many custom choicesWeak brand perceptionBeing viewed as “too local” These become opportunities for improvement instead of frustrations. Why collections matter One major realization: fully custom can overwhelm customers. Paul compares it to sitting at a restaurant with a blank menu. Creating a collection gives customers direction while still allowing customization. Positioning yourself within your market tier Paul breaks down the furniture industry into tiers—from IKEA and Wayfair up through artisan luxury brands like BDDW and explains why understanding your category changes everything about service, branding, pricing, and expectations. Competing isn’t always about price Sometimes the answer isn’t lowering prices—it’s improving how you communicate value, experience, and differentiation. Trade programs and luxury positioning Paul references deVOL and their refusal to offer discounts, using it as an example of maintaining strong luxury positioning and price integrity. Own your category instead of chasing everyone else One of the biggest opportunities for small makers is recognizing that there are gaps in the market where highly branded, high-service custom businesses can dominate. Strategic thinking is work Paul closes with a reminder that sitting, thinking, journaling, and analyzing your positioning is real work—and often some of the most important work a business owner can do.  Join the Network

    14 min

  7. May 4

    AI for Makers: The Right Tool for the Right Job

    Join the Community Summary: Paul breaks down how he’s actually using AI tools inside his business—not hypothetically, but in real, practical ways that save time, improve communication, and support growth. The core takeaway: there’s no single “all-in-one” AI. Each tool has strengths, and understanding how to use them strategically is what creates leverage. He also reinforces a broader mindset shift—don’t wait for perfect. Whether it’s launching a podcast or adopting new tools, momentum beats perfection every time.  Key Takeaways: Progress over perfection: Don’t let “perfect” delay action—launch, iterate, improve later. ChatGPT = speed + clarity: Best for quick tasks like summarizing, visual explanations, client communication, and fast back-and-forth problem solving. Claude = deep work: Ideal for heavy lifting—financial modeling, spreadsheets, strategic planning, and thoughtful analysis. AI as a thinking partner: Tools like Claude can help structure decisions, ask better questions, and map out plans—even if they’re not perfect. Image/video AI tools (Gemini, Scenario, Pomelo, Artlist): Useful for enhancing or generating visuals, especially if your photo setup is limited. Leverage vs. replace: AI should enhance your workflow—not replace your brand voice or craftsmanship. Strategic positioning matters: Paul is intentionally limiting AI in brand-facing content to stay differentiated in a crowded, AI-heavy landscape. Rising tide mentality: Elevating your own business—and helping others do the same—raises the standard for the entire industry. Join the Network

    18 min

  8. Apr 27

    Office Hours: Pricing Fear, Better Clients, and Breaking Out of the Shop

    Join the Network Summary: In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers real questions from listeners navigating the transition from maker to business owner. The conversation covers skepticism about the Handcrafted Network, the mental hurdles of raising prices, the struggle to step out of production, and how to attract higher-quality clients. Throughout the episode, Paul emphasizes that the hardest part of building a craft business isn’t the craft—it’s the business side. He shares candid insights from his own current challenges, reinforcing that he’s still “in the trenches” alongside his audience.  Key Takeaways: Why Paul built the Network: It’s not a scam—it’s a response to a real gap. The business side of woodworking is underserved, and paid communities create accountability and better engagement.Charging more requires tolerance for discomfort: Raising prices means hearing more “no’s,” but the “yeses” become more valuable. Fewer, higher-quality projects can outperform a high-volume, low-margin workload.If your schedule is full, your prices might be too low: An overloaded queue is a signal to increase pricing—not hire immediately or keep grinding.You must force time to work on the business: Time blocking (even 1 hour daily) is critical. Staying busy in the shop can be disguised procrastination from higher-leverage work.Better clients come from better positioning, not luck:Stop fishing in low-quality channelsImprove photography and presentationEliminate “commodity” perceptionUse pricing filters (like budget selectors) to pre-qualify leadsBrand perception drives client quality: If your work looks cheap, you’ll attract price shoppers. If it looks high-end, clients will assume higher pricing before even reaching out.You don’t need to niche too early: Explore what you’re naturally good at selling. Sometimes the most scalable path isn’t what you initially expected.Closing Thought: The shift from maker to business owner isn’t about working harder—it’s about thinking differently, pricing strategically, and intentionally building the kind of business you actually want. Join the Network

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of Making Things" is where craftsmanship meets business strategy. Hosted by Paul, founder of Philadelphia Table Co. and The Handcrafted Network, this podcast dives into the mindset, pricing, marketing, and systems that help makers turn their craft into a thriving business. Whether you're a woodworker, artisan, or creative entrepreneur, you’ll learn the strategies to build a profitable, sustainable business—because great craftsmanship deserves great business strategy.

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