How To Be A Handmade Boss

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How To Be A Handmade Boss

Steph Cole-Lewis

87 episodes

5 days ago

What do you do when chronic illness forces you to give up the craft you love? If you’re Gillian, you reinvent everything and end up with a jewellery business as unique as the pages it’s made from. 💛 In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Steph sits down with HBSA student Gillian, the creative mind behind Paper2Pearls, to talk about the unexpected journey from patchwork quilts to paper jewellery, the challenges of crafting with arthritis, and how she’s used the Handmade Business Success ...

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Entrepreneurship,

All content for How To Be A Handmade Boss is the property of Steph Cole-Lewis 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.

What do you do when chronic illness forces you to give up the craft you love? If you’re Gillian, you reinvent everything and end up with a jewellery business as unique as the pages it’s made from. 💛 In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Steph sits down with HBSA student Gillian, the creative mind behind Paper2Pearls, to talk about the unexpected journey from patchwork quilts to paper jewellery, the challenges of crafting with arthritis, and how she’s used the Handmade Business Success ...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship,

Episodes (20/87)

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#86 - From Origami to Etsy: How Gillian Turned Paper into Profitable Jewellery

What do you do when chronic illness forces you to give up the craft you love? If you’re Gillian, you reinvent everything and end up with a jewellery business as unique as the pages it’s made from. 💛 In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Steph sits down with HBSA student Gillian, the creative mind behind Paper2Pearls, to talk about the unexpected journey from patchwork quilts to paper jewellery, the challenges of crafting with arthritis, and how she’s used the Handmade Business Success ...

5 days ago

35 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#85 - From Stuck to Sold-Out: Real HBSA Student Success Stories You Need to Hear

Ever wondered if the Handmade Business Success Academy actually works? In this episode, you’ll hear straight from HBSA students who’ve gone from stuck, overwhelmed, and doubting themselves - to confident, consistent handmade business owners. They share how the Academy helped them: 💡 Find focus and stop “throwing spaghetti at the wall” 📈 Boost conversion rates and sales (some hit 2,000+ Etsy orders!) 💬 Build real confidence in marketing and SEO 🤝 Join a supportive community that keeps them g...

1 week ago

14 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#84 - Why More Etsy Listings Won’t Fix Your Sales Problem

Think slow sales mean you need to add more products? Think again. In this episode, I’m busting one of the biggest myths in the handmade world: that more listings = more sales. Spoiler alert - it’s not about quantity. It’s about quality, clarity, and conversion. We’ll talk about: ✅ Why uploading random new products could actually be hurting your shop ✅ The real reason Etsy rewards certain listings (hint: it’s not how many you have) ✅ What to do instead: smarter product variations, giftable b...

2 weeks ago

14 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#83 - Here's why your Etsy shop is stuck.

Are you working harder than ever, but your sales graph just… won’t budge? 😩 You’re not lazy. You’re not failing. You might just be stuck in what I call the Plateau of Busywork and it happens to almost every handmade seller at some point. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to: ⚠ Spot the 3 most common plateau signs 📉 Understand why your to-do list isn’t growing your business 🧠 Make small, strategic shifts that lead to actual progress ✨ AND stop wasting time on things that feel product...

3 weeks ago

22 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#82 - Etsy’s 2025 Updates Explained: What Handmade Sellers Need to Know

Etsy just dropped a whole bunch of updates for 2025 and if you’re feeling a bit lost in the jargon, don’t panic. I’ve got you. 💛 In this episode, I’m breaking it all down plain and simple: → What’s actually changed → What you need to know as a handmade seller → And which updates will genuinely help you save time, reduce stress, and grow your shop this holiday season 🎄 From AI listing tools and post-purchase automation to real-time keyword insights and a totally redesigned dashboard, this is...

1 month ago

20 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#81 - Why Your Etsy Listings Aren’t Selling (and What’s Really Going On)

You’ve poured time into your products, uploaded them to Etsy, and maybe you’re even getting some traffic and a few favourites… but sales? Crickets. 😬 In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the real reason why your Etsy listings aren’t converting and no, it’s not just the algorithm. I’m breaking down the 3 essential layers of a high-converting listing: 1. Getting found in search (hello, buyer keywords!) 2.&...

1 month ago

19 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#80 - 20 Niche Etsy Ideas with High Demand and Low Competition

If you’ve been scratching your head wondering what to sell or how to stand out on Etsy in 2026, this episode is your treasure map. 🎯 I’m sharing 20 real Etsy niche ideas that are high in demand, low in competition, and full of opportunity - perfect for handmade sellers who want to stop blending in and start carving out their own corner of the marketplace. I’ve done the research for something I’m working on behind the scenes (👀), and let me tell you - these niches are absolute gems. From sen...

1 month ago

22 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#79 - Is Your Shop Holiday-Ready? Take This 5-Minute Check (Handmade Sellers)

🎄 Are you really ready for the Christmas rush... or just hoping it’ll all come together in time? In this episode, I’m walking you through a super quick 5-point checklist that’ll help you give your handmade shop a festive glow-up without the stress. We’re talking banners, giftable products, delivery cut-off clarity, festive upsells, and simple holiday promotion tweaks you can make today. If you’re a handmade seller on Etsy or your own site, this 5-minute check will help you feel more confide...

1 month ago

15 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#78 - Stop Comparing Your Handmade Business to Others (and Do This Instead)

Ever find yourself doomscrolling through Instagram wondering why that handmade shop has more sales, more followers, or just seems further ahead? In this episode, we’re flipping the comparison trap on its head. You’ll learn how to: Spot the “highlight reel” trap before it derails your momentumTurn jealousy into a learning tool (without copying a single thing!)Set healthy boundaries around competitor stalking 😉Track YOUR growth (not theirs) and build a business that feels good to you Wheth...

2 months ago

12 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#77 - From Fresh Flowers to Thriving Wreath Business: Claire's Handmade Journey

Running a handmade business isn’t always a straight line and today’s guest, Claire, proves it beautifully. 🌸 After starting with fresh flowers and even pedalling around town on a trike (yes, really!), Claire found her passion and success in creating stunning artificial wreaths and arrangements through her business Jamesia Blooms. In this episode, she opens up about: • How personal loss inspired her to chase her creative dream &n...

2 months ago

26 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#76 - Instagram Not Converting? Here’s Why (+ How to Fix It as a Handmade Seller)

Posting consistently on Instagram but still not getting sales? In this episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest reasons your content isn’t converting and how to fix it. You’ll discover: Why likes and views don’t always mean product interestHow to guide your followers from scrolling to shoppingA simple content plan that works without eating up your whole day Whether you sell on Etsy, Shopify, or your own website, these Instagram tips are perfect for handmade sellers who want to post wit...

2 months ago

9 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#75 - Instagram Reels That Sell: Step-by-Step for Handmade Sellers

If your Reels are getting crickets (or you’re too nervous to even post one 🫣), this episode is for you. I’m walking you through my simple step-by-step Reels formula made specifically for handmade sellers - no dancing, no lip syncing, no pointing at floating bubbles. Just clear, doable tips to help you finally feel confident on camera and actually get your products seen 👀 Inside this episode: ✅ How to write a scroll-stopping hook ✅ What to film if you feel awkward or unsure ✅ Real-life exa...

2 months ago

11 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#74 - Etsy’s Latest Earnings: What It Really Means for Your Shop (And How to Respond)

Feeling like your Etsy sales have dipped recently? You’re not imagining it and Etsy’s Q2 2025 earnings report confirms it. In this episode, I break down exactly what’s going on behind the scenes at Etsy, why sales are down platform-wide, and what it means for you as a handmade business owner. We’ll talk about rising fees, buyer hesitation, and Etsy’s push toward AI and personalisation... all without the corporate waffle. But more importantly, I’ll walk you through what to actually do abou...

2 months ago

12 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#73 - How to Market Your Handmade Products on Instagram (Step-by-Step Free Training for 2025)

Sick of posting on Instagram and getting crickets? This episode is your full, step-by-step training on how to turn your handmade Instagram into a sales-driving machine - without feeling salesy or spending all day online. Steph breaks down the exact strategy that handmade business owners need in 2025, including: What to post (and why!) using the 4 Value PillarsHow to plan your weekly Instagram rhythm without burning outThe difference between “Going Wide” for growth and “Going Deep” for con...

3 months ago

13 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#72 - 15 Autumn Trends for 2025 Handmade Sellers Need to Know

🍁 Want to get ahead with your autumn product ideas and boost your handmade sales this season? In this trend-packed episode, I’m breaking down 15 of the biggest autumn trends set to dominate in 2025... with real, practical examples you can turn into products today. From modern rustic to miniature scenes, dupe-it-yourself decor to cosy accessories, I’m covering what’s going to be everywhere (and how to make it work for your handmade business). 🍂 Whether you sell on Etsy, your own site, or at ...

3 months ago

9 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#71 - Proven Etsy Listing Tips to Boost Your Sales and Get Found in Search

Struggling to get sales on Etsy? In this episode of How to Be a Handmade Boss, Steph shares 5 powerful tips to help your Etsy listings get found, get clicked, and get bought. Whether you’re brand new to selling handmade products online or you’ve been on Etsy for a while with little traction, this episode will show you exactly how to optimise your Etsy listings for more visibility, better conversion, and sustainable growth. We’re covering: ✅ Etsy SEO tips for beginners ✅ How to write titles ...

3 months ago

29 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#70 - Building a Brand Around What You Actually Love: Fran’s Story

In this feel-good episode of How To Be A Handmade Boss, I’m joined by the lovely Fran from Born to Shop Designs – and we’re diving into how she turned hobbies like gardening, crafting and music into a heart-led clothing brand that connects people through what they love. We chat about navigating business pivots, building a brand that feels like you, and why community matters more than ever (especially when you're not a fan of working solo). Fran also opens up about leaving behind a business th...

3 months ago

23 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#69 - Why Some Makers Stay Stuck (and How to Finally Move Forward)

Feel like your handmade business is stuck in the same place month after month - no matter how hard you try? 😩 In this episode, we’re getting honest about why so many makers hit a plateau (even when they’re doing “all the right things”)… and what to do if that’s you right now. You’ll learn: 🔸 The illusion of growth that keeps you treading water 🔸 The real cost of DIY-ing everything alone 🔸 Why your fear of investing might be costing you more than you think 🔸 How to know when you’r...

4 months ago

15 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#68 - Understanding the Seasons of Your Handmade Business (And How to Thrive in Each One)

Ever feel like your business is all over the place? One minute you’re buzzing with ideas, and the next… totally burnt out? You’re not doing anything wrong - you’re just in a different season of business. In this uplifting episode, I’m walking you through the 4 natural seasons your handmade business cycles through - winter, spring, summer and autumn - and exactly how to thrive in each one without forcing yourself to keep pushing all year round. You’ll learn: 🌱 What each business season fee...

4 months ago

13 minutes

How To Be A Handmade Boss

#67 - Day 5 Affirmation: Abundance & Repeatable Success

Welcome to Day 5, the final episode in this affirmation series! Today, we’re focusing on abundance and repeatable success because thriving in your handmade business isn’t just a lucky break, it’s the result of aligned action, consistency, and belief in your own power. These affirmations will help you step into the role of CEO with confidence, embrace systems that work for you, and welcome growth with ease (and joy!). Whether you listen once or on repeat all week, let this episode remind you ...

4 months ago

8 minutes