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The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Paul Mencel
32 episodes
1 day ago
Join The Network! In this episode, Paul tackles a challenge many makers face as the holidays approach: the seasonal dip in incoming work. Drawing from real conversations inside the Handcrafted Network and years of experience growing Philadelphia Table Company, Paul outlines eight proven, entirely free strategies to generate new leads, strengthen relationships, and keep your pipeline full. These approaches work for makers at every stage—whether you’re getting your first few clients or rounding...
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All content for The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things is the property of Paul Mencel and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Join The Network! In this episode, Paul tackles a challenge many makers face as the holidays approach: the seasonal dip in incoming work. Drawing from real conversations inside the Handcrafted Network and years of experience growing Philadelphia Table Company, Paul outlines eight proven, entirely free strategies to generate new leads, strengthen relationships, and keep your pipeline full. These approaches work for makers at every stage—whether you’re getting your first few clients or rounding...
Show more...
Arts
Business,
Entrepreneurship
Episodes (20/32)
The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Eight Free Ways to Get Customers When Your Phone Isn’t Ringing
Join The Network! In this episode, Paul tackles a challenge many makers face as the holidays approach: the seasonal dip in incoming work. Drawing from real conversations inside the Handcrafted Network and years of experience growing Philadelphia Table Company, Paul outlines eight proven, entirely free strategies to generate new leads, strengthen relationships, and keep your pipeline full. These approaches work for makers at every stage—whether you’re getting your first few clients or rounding...
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1 day ago
18 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Office Hours: When to Build Systems, Run Ads, and Close More Sales
Join the Network. Summary: In this Office Hours episode, Paul tackles three key questions makers often face as they grow their businesses. He breaks down when to start implementing systems, how to know if you’re ready for Meta ads, and what to do when leads go cold. Through practical advice and personal experience, Paul emphasizes building strong foundations—systems, offers, and communication—before scaling with ads or advanced tools. Highlights: Start systems early: Even a few orders...
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1 week ago
15 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Don’t Niche Too Soon (or Too Late): Let the Market Guide You
The Handcrafted Network Summary: In this episode, Paul dives into one of the most debated topics in the maker business world: finding your niche. Whether you're just starting out or already established, he explains why niching down too early can hold you back — and why waiting too long can do the same. Through personal stories and real-world examples from building Philadelphia Table Company, Paul shares how the market itself often reveals where the real opportunities lie. This conversation ...
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2 weeks ago
12 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Going Beyond Expectations: The Power of Unreasonable Hospitality
Join The Network. In this episode, Paul explores how makers and creative business owners can transform their client experience by going above and beyond what’s expected — a concept inspired by Will Guidara’s book Unreasonable Hospitality. Drawing lessons from world-class hospitality, he shares how simple, thoughtful gestures can turn ordinary interactions into unforgettable moments that clients rave about. Paul breaks down how this philosophy applies directly to custom furniture and creative ...
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3 weeks ago
19 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Working with Interior Designers: The Secret to Consistent Work and High-Value Clients
Join the Network In this episode, Paul dives deep into the world of interior designers and how partnering with them can become one of the most powerful growth strategies for makers and furniture businesses. Drawing from over a decade of experience working with everyone from celebrity designers to beginners, he breaks down the pros, cons, and practical tactics for building profitable relationships. From recurring income and high-end clientele to navigating communication challenges and pricing ...
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4 weeks ago
22 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Social Media Strategy for Makers
Learn More about the Network In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul breaks down how makers can approach social media without the overwhelm. He shares practical strategies rooted in his own experience growing Philadelphia Table Company to 25K+ followers—using Instagram and TikTok not just to gain likes, but to attract real clients. Paul emphasizes that social platforms should act as your “online gallery” and brand validator, helping you connect with the right audience—designers, clie...
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1 month ago
29 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Keeping Clients Committed: Deposits, Checkpoints, and Clear Expectations
Join the Network! In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares hard-earned lessons about preventing refund requests and keeping clients engaged after they’ve paid their deposit. Drawing from stories of losing a project—even to George Nakashima himself—he explains how Philadelphia Table Company developed systems that reduce client uncertainty, set expectations clearly, and create checkpoints that build excitement instead of frustration. Paul walks through the sales process he ...
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1 month ago
17 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Finding the Real “Silver Bullet” in Business Growth
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul unpacks a common question makers ask: what’s the silver bullet that tips a business into real growth? Drawing from his own journey building Philadelphia Table Company, Paul explains why there is no single magic moment—growth is the result of persistence, incremental effort, and clear direction. He uses the analogy of a seesaw filling drop by drop to illustrate how small, consistent actions accumulate into major inflection points. Along the way,...
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1 month ago
16 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Office Hours: Single-Maker Workflow, Meta Ads Readiness, Niche Focus & Pricing Math
In this office-hours episode, Paul answers community questions on how PTC runs its single-maker production model, when (and if) to start Meta ads, how to navigate niche decisions (built-ins vs. custom furniture), and the pricing math that supports a healthy shop. He shares practical systems—how projects move from sales to ops to a maker’s Trello queue—plus the cultural guardrails that protect quality and teamwork. The throughline: build a real foundation first, then scale with intention. Take...
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1 month ago
21 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Scaling Your Woodworking Business with Strategic Revenue Planning
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul explores what it really takes to scale a woodworking business—whether you’re just starting out or already running a team and aiming for the next big revenue milestone. Drawing from his own experience growing Philadelphia Table Company, Paul shares how to reverse-engineer client acquisition, double down on what’s already working, and use a strategic revenue planner to break ambitious goals into realistic, actionable steps. He highlights the impo...
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2 months ago
19 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Different Beats Best: Be the Purple Cow
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul revisits Seth Godin’s Purple Cow and lays out how makers break through by being deliberately different rather than chasing “best.” Sparked by a marketing convo earlier in the day, he reframes how to position a craft business so it stands out in a sea of look-alike messaging. He distills the approach into a set of practical moves: Difference over “best.” Compete by being meaningfully distinct, not by claiming superiority.Name your edge. Replace ...
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2 months ago
16 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Office Hours: CNC in the Shop, Working with Designers, and Building a Collection
In this quick Office Hours episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul tackles three listener questions before heading out on vacation. He shares his perspective on integrating CNC machines without compromising craftsmanship, explains how to structure pricing and communication when working with interior designers, and discusses the benefits of developing a small collection alongside custom work. Packed with practical tips and real-world examples, this episode is all about finding the right balan...
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2 months ago
12 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
From Hello to Handshake: My Sales Process for Makers
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the exact sales process he uses at Philadelphia Table Company to consistently close custom furniture projects. From building trust fast through in-person meetings, Zoom calls, and Loom videos, to listening for personal details that create genuine connections, Paul breaks down how to move a lead from initial inquiry to final sale without high-pressure tactics. You’ll learn how he talks pricing, presents value, follows up effectively, and ...
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2 months ago
27 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
The Four Pillars of Enlightened Manufacturing: Building a Business with Purpose
Summary: In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the ethos behind Philadelphia Table Company and the guiding framework he calls Enlightened Manufacturing—a values-based approach to running a profitable, ethical, and intentional business. After surpassing his original $1M revenue goal and experiencing a period of uncertainty, Paul worked with a coach to define a clearer vision and purpose for the company. That vision is built on four interconnected pillars: Profit – Essential f...
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3 months ago
15 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Office Hours: Scaling Beyond Etsy, Holding the Line on Price, and Making Time for Systems
In this Office Hours edition, Paul answers four thoughtful listener questions covering key transitions in growing a handcrafted business. He dives into why he chose to scale beyond Etsy and the personal turning point that pushed him to hire and systematize. He shares his mindset around luxury pricing—why negotiating can erode brand value and how to communicate your worth clearly to clients. Paul also offers practical advice on carving out time to build systems while still buried in day-to-day...
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3 months ago
29 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
How I Actually Use AI in My Handmade Business (And What I Avoid)
In this episode, Paul dives into the real-world ways he's using AI—specifically ChatGPT—to streamline and grow his handcrafted furniture business. He shares how AI serves as a behind-the-scenes business partner, helping with everything from ad copy and lead tracking to sales systems and grant discovery. You'll hear how he prompts ChatGPT to act as a strategic collaborator, even asking it to assign tasks across his team. Paul also breaks down tools like Presti.ai for product photography and Za...
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3 months ago
25 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Craft at Every Touchpoint: Building a Luxury Experience from Quote to Delivery
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul breaks down what it truly means to deliver craft beyond just the final product. Using real examples from Philadelphia Table Company, he walks through their entire client experience—from initial inquiry to white glove delivery—and emphasizes how every touchpoint can and should reflect the same level of intentionality and excellence as the finished piece. Paul shares specific strategies for elevating communication, quoting, sample delivery, brand...
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3 months ago
21 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Office Hours: Burnout, Pricing, Sales, and Quality Control
In this “office hours”–style episode, Paul answers listener questions about the real challenges of running a small woodworking or maker business. He starts with a short pitch for the Handcrafted Network, explaining the difference between generic “advice” (like this podcast) and personalized “help” (like in the group). Then he dives into four listener questions: 1️⃣ Burnout and time management (Jess from Asheville): Paul talks about blocking time for specific tasks, setting email hours in your...
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4 months ago
16 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
From Side Hustle to 7 Figures: The Philadelphia Table Company Origin Story
In this episode, Paul shares the unfiltered origin story of Philadelphia Table Company—from building a first table for his apartment to running a nearly $2 million custom furniture business with a team of 10. He details the real timeline: early days working out of his dad’s garage, learning by trial and error on Etsy, juggling a music career and substitute teaching, and slowly expanding from a $400/month rented garage to owning a 16,000-square-foot workshop. Paul talks about critical turning ...
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4 months ago
34 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
From Cash Chaos to Profit Clarity: My Shop’s Cash Flow Turnaround
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul opens up about a real, unfiltered look at the cash flow challenges his custom furniture shop faced—and the major shift that helped turn things around. He talks about the classic trap of “money in, money out” cycles driven by deposit-based sales, and how it can mask serious inefficiencies as you grow your team. Paul shares the critical advice he got from a fellow custom furniture maker that changed everything: measuring production goals on an ac...
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4 months ago
13 minutes

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Join The Network! In this episode, Paul tackles a challenge many makers face as the holidays approach: the seasonal dip in incoming work. Drawing from real conversations inside the Handcrafted Network and years of experience growing Philadelphia Table Company, Paul outlines eight proven, entirely free strategies to generate new leads, strengthen relationships, and keep your pipeline full. These approaches work for makers at every stage—whether you’re getting your first few clients or rounding...