The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things

Paul Mencel
  • 4.6 (11)
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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. 5D AGO

    Why Taking a Break Makes You Better at Business

    Join the Community Summary: In this short, journal-style episode, Paul reflects on something many makers and business owners struggle with: giving themselves permission to step away. As he prepares to leave for a family vacation, he shares why rest is not the opposite of hard work, but an important part of sustaining it. Paul pushes back on hustle culture and the idea that nonstop work should be celebrated. Instead, he makes the case that breaks, reflection, and intentional time away are often what allow business owners to return with more clarity, better ideas, and renewed energy to lead well. Rest is part of the work. Paul emphasizes that building a business does require relentless effort, but that kind of effort only works long term when it is balanced with recovery and reflection.Hustle culture is overrated. He challenges the idea that extreme hours and burnout are something to brag about, arguing that constantly working is not a badge of honor.Time away creates clarity. Some of the best ideas come when you are not forcing them. Stepping back can open up space for better thinking, better decisions, and a healthier perspective.Owning a business gives freedom, but not always true time off. Paul reflects on the tension of being able to take a vacation without asking permission while also knowing that business ownership can feel like a 24/7 responsibility.Systems and support matter. Even while he plans to unplug, the business and brand can continue moving because content, support, and team help are already in place.It is okay to need a safety blanket. Paul shares that he still brings his laptop on trips just in case something urgent comes up, even if he never opens it. That small sense of security can make it easier to actually relax.Taking a break is something makers need to hear more often. The message of the episode is simple but important: stay productive, work hard, but do not forget that you deserve rest too.Join the Network

    8 min

  2. MAR 9

    Office Hours: Instagram Strategy, Portfolio Projects, Hiring Makers, and Shop Efficiency

    JOIN THE COMMUNITY Summary: In this Office Hours episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul answers four listener questions from makers navigating the realities of running a craft business. The conversation covers practical topics ranging from using Instagram strategically to deciding whether “cool” projects are worth doing, maintaining quality as you hire, and improving efficiency in a custom shop. Drawing from his experience building Philadelphia Table Company, Paul shares lessons on engagement-driven marketing, protecting profitability, creating systems for quality control, and balancing custom work with scalable collection pieces. The episode offers honest insight into the operational challenges makers face as their businesses grow. Key Takeaways: Instagram growth comes from engagement, not just followers. Actively comment, message, and interact with interior designers, photographers, and adjacent creators so the algorithm begins associating your work with those audiences.Look for strategic “network hacks.” Paul shares how hiring a photographer commonly used by interior designers helped get his work in front of their audience and generate new leads.Don’t work for exposure. Portfolio projects can sometimes be worthwhile, but relying on exposure or discounted work rarely produces meaningful business.Balance passion projects with profitable work. It’s okay to occasionally take on a project for learning or portfolio value, but filling your schedule with them can hurt your business.Quality control requires clear standards. As you hire makers, create written checklists outlining non-negotiables—finish quality, feel, mechanical function, branding, and other details—to maintain consistency across the shop.Document systems before scaling your team. Start using your own checklists and processes now so new employees can follow the same standards later.Custom work creates complexity. Each custom project introduces new variables that slow production and add logistical challenges.Collection pieces increase efficiency. Pre-designed furniture with standardized materials, finishes, and jigs allows shops to work faster and more profitably.Use custom work to develop product lines. Many successful pieces begin as custom projects and later evolve into repeatable collection items.Strong systems make custom work scalable. Organized project management, clear production schedules, and streamlined processes help prevent custom shops from becoming chaotic.Closing: Paul emphasizes that he’s still figuring these challenges out in real time and shares what’s working inside his own shop so other makers can learn along the way. Listeners can submit future Office Hours questions by emailing paul@thehandcraftednetwork.com or join the Handcrafted Network community through the link in the show notes. Join the Network

    19 min

  3. MAR 2

    Why I’m Still Doing This: The Real Upside of Being a Small Business Owner

    Join the network.  Summary: In this reflective, journal-style episode, Paul opens up about a tough February—slow deals, internal challenges, and the emotional weight that comes with being the one ultimately responsible for everything. After a candid conversation with his wife about whether the stress is worth it, he sits down and writes out five reasons why he continues to choose the path of entrepreneurship. This episode is an honest look at the downsides of running a business—financial pressure, client management, stress, and the 24/7 responsibility—balanced against the powerful upsides that make it all worth it. Key Takeaways: The Downsides Are Real Managing clients, closing financial gaps, carrying payroll, and feeling the emotional weight of responsibility can be exhausting. The buck stops with you—and that’s heavy.1. No Boss — You Control Your Life The freedom to control your schedule, take your kid to the pediatrician, go surfing midweek, or plan vacations without asking permission is invaluable.2. Infinite Financial Upside Unlike a fixed salary, entrepreneurship has no ceiling. The business could grow 10x, 20x—or more. Time under pressure builds long-term value.3. You Choose Who You Work With As a business owner, you get to build your team intentionally. Culture isn’t random—it’s designed.4. Creating Economic Security for Others Providing meaningful jobs, raises, and stability for 10–12 employees (and growing) is deeply fulfilling. Building something that supports other families is a powerful motivator.5. You Get to Solve Big Problems Running a business is constant problem-solving. For Paul, that’s energizing. Choosing which problems to tackle—and which to delegate—is part of the game.Core Theme: If someone asked you, “Why are you putting yourself through this?”—could you answer clearly? Paul challenges listeners to write down their own reasons. Not the big, philosophical “why” of life—but the practical reasons they choose to be small business owners despite the stress. Because when things get hard (and they will), clarity beats emotion. — If you’ve ever questioned whether the grind is worth it, this episode reminds you: the stress is real—but so is the upside. Join the Network

    17 min

  4. FEB 23

    The Mental Shift That Unlocks Growth

    Join the Network In this episode, Paul challenges makers who feel stuck at $100K–$150K in revenue to confront the real barrier to growth: identity. Most craftsmen start their businesses because they love making things—not because they love running a business. But if you want to make a true living doing this work, a mindset shift is required. Drawing from his own experience building Philadelphia Table Company while navigating his wife’s cancer diagnosis and growing family responsibilities, Paul explains how stepping fully into the role of business owner—not just craftsperson—was the turning point. He breaks down the math of solo production, the ceiling of top-line revenue, and why better dovetails won’t solve scaling problems. This episode isn’t tactical—it’s foundational. It’s about obsession, ownership, and asking the hard question: What happens to your business if you stop making things for two weeks? Key Takeaways: Your revenue ceiling is tied to your identity. If you still see yourself primarily as a maker, your growth will stall.Solo production has a financial cap. Even at $10K/week in revenue, realistic profit margins leave little room for reinvestment or true wealth building.Better craftsmanship won’t fix business bottlenecks. Systems, hiring, sales, and financial literacy will.Think beyond the garage. Growth requires planning for hiring, delegation, and infrastructure—even before you're “ready.”Obsession is normal. Building a business requires constant problem-solving and long-term thinking.This podcast is for professionals. Not hobbyists, but makers serious about building a sustainable six-figure (and beyond) business.Paul also reaffirms that The Handcrafted Network exists to support that transition—from craftsperson to entrepreneur—through community, group calls, and business-focused learning. If you want to build more than furniture—if you want to build a business—this episode is your starting point. Join the Network

    16 min

  5. FEB 16

    Business Is a Game of Whac-A-Mole

    Join the Network!  Summary: In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on why he created the Handcrafted Network and the Handcrafted Podcast in the first place. While there’s endless content about how to build furniture, there’s very little practical guidance on how to run a maker business. Paul shares how his own journey—learning through mentors, books, podcasts, and real-world experience—led him to build a community dedicated to the business side of craftsmanship. The second half of the episode shifts into a candid reflection on a tough couple of weeks inside his own company. Paul talks openly about the emotional weight of leadership and the reality that running a business is essentially a never-ending cycle of problem solving. Key Takeaways: Why the Handcrafted Network Exists: There’s a gap in the market for real, practical advice on running a maker business—not just building beautiful pieces.Community Multiplies Intelligence: “1 + 1 = 5.” Shared experiences and collective problem-solving accelerate growth.Business = Problem Solving: Entrepreneurship is a constant game of Whac-A-Mole. Solve one issue, and another appears.Do the Hard Thing: Not every problem can be hired away. Sometimes leadership means stepping up, owning it, and solving it yourself.Avoid the ‘Hack’ Mentality: Sustainable growth rarely comes from shortcuts—it comes from consistent, focused effort.Don’t Take It Too Seriously: Step back. Breathe. Most business problems aren’t life-or-death.Goals Can Shift: It’s okay to adjust direction when new realities emerge. February may require a different focus than January.Embrace the Role: If you’re a business owner, problem solving isn’t an interruption—it is the job.Paul closes by encouraging listeners to lean on community, embrace the long game, and treat business challenges like daily puzzles rather than personal crises. Join the Network

    13 min

  6. FEB 9

    Don’t Be Seen as a Commodity: you don’t win by being cheaper

    Invest in your growth!  Summary In this episode, Paul shares a candid story from a recent mentor meeting that reframed how he thinks about clients, pricing, and positioning. After navigating a stressful corporate project that spiraled into missed expectations and rushed timelines, a simple insight emerged: when clients see you as a commodity, they treat you like one. Through real-world examples from both his own business and a mentor’s decades-long career, Paul breaks down why great makers must clearly sell what actually makes them different—not just the product, but the experience, service, and care behind it. This episode is a reminder that not every client is the right client, and that long-term success comes from being valued, not just hired. Key Takeaways Being seen as a commodity puts you in a losing position — once you’re interchangeable, price and deadlines become weapons.Corporate and third-party buyers often strip away your differentiators, reducing you to a line item instead of a partner.Your real value isn’t just the product — it’s communication, service, experience, and problem-solving.If you don’t clearly explain why you’re different, clients won’t assume it — especially new decision-makers.The right clients are willing to pay more for clarity, care, and trust; the wrong ones will always push back.Saying “we won’t be the cheapest, but we will be the best” only works if you define what “best” means.Selling apples-to-apples comparisons is a trap — your job is to show why it’s not apples-to-apples at all.If you’ve ever felt boxed in by price pressure, unrealistic expectations, or exhausting clients, this episode is your reminder: you don’t win by being cheaper — you win by being unmistakably different. Join the Network

    18 min

  7. FEB 2

    Four Costly Mistakes That Hold Maker Businesses Back

    We Want You In the Community!  Summary: As February kicks off, Paul reflects on balancing life as a new dad and a business owner before diving into four of the most common (and costly) mistakes he sees maker business owners make—including mistakes he’s made himself. This episode is a practical, honest look at why so many talented makers struggle to grow sustainably, even when their craftsmanship is top-tier. From trying to serve everyone, to focusing only on the product, to refusing help and struggling to trust others, Paul breaks down how these patterns limit growth—and what to do instead. The episode is a reminder that building the business is just as much a craft as building the work itself. Key Takeaways: Not everyone is your client: Early on, you may need to say yes more often—but long-term growth requires narrowing your focus and choosing the right clients.Making the thing isn’t enough: Obsessing over the craft while ignoring sales, marketing, and profitability leads to feast-or-famine cycles.Stop trying to do it alone: Real growth starts when you ask for help, find mentors, and learn from people ahead of you.Trust is a growth skill: Micromanagement and lack of trust stall businesses—delegation, systems, and learning from mistakes unlock scale.If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin, this episode offers a clear reset—and a reminder that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Join the Network

    17 min

  8. JAN 26

    Office Hours: Income Goals, Timelines, Hiring, and Pricing for Makers

    Become a member!  Summary: In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers a wide range of listener questions pulled directly from the Handcrafted Network community. The conversation centers on realistic income expectations, especially the path to paying yourself $150K as a maker, and how different business models—custom furniture versus cabinetry or millwork—affect cash flow, scalability, and long-term value. Paul also digs into the realities of running a custom shop: setting delivery expectations without locking yourself into impossible timelines, navigating hiring and workers’ comp, and fixing one of the most common pain points for small shops—pricing. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes long-term thinking, efficiency over speed, and building systems that support both profitability and peace of mind. Key takeaways & highlights: $150K income is realistic—but the path matters. Cabinetry and millwork often reach cash-flow goals faster than custom furniture, while furniture brands can build more long-term enterprise value.Think long-term vs. short-term cash. Service-based shops can generate income quickly; brand-driven businesses take longer but may be more valuable over time.Avoid hard completion dates. Paul explains why he gives broad delivery windows (e.g., 3–4 months) and how under-promising builds trust in custom work.Track dollars out, not just timelines. Focusing on monthly revenue shipped per employee can simplify scheduling and operations.Hiring doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Early use of 1099 contractors and networking for the right insurance agent can lower barriers to growth.Pricing starts with tracking. Recording hours, materials, and true costs is the foundation of profitable pricing.A simple pricing framework. Calculate true cost of goods sold and multiply by a margin factor (e.g., 1.66) to protect profit and sustainability.Separate pay and profit early. Paying yourself and keeping profit in the business prevents cash crunches and bad habits later.If you have a question you’d like answered in a future Office Hours episode, email paul@thehandcraftednetwork.com . If you’re looking for community, resources, and real-world support from other professional makers, learn more at handcraftednetwork.com. Join the Network

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
11 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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