Her Handmade Hustle Unplugged: A Podcast Helping Independent Businesses Get Seen, Remembered and Chosen.

In this powerful episode, Joanne shares the three most common fears that hold creative entrepreneurs back: fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of success . Through the lens of a personal story from a recent family camping trip to the Yorkshire coast - where each member faced and conquered a fear - she explores how fear quietly sabotages your business dreams. If you've ever said "I'm sca...

In this fun and refreshingly honest episode, I’m joined by my husband Dave to explore the real-life experience of living with a creative female entrepreneur (aka me!). If you run a small business from your kitchen table, studio or shed – and your partner still doesn’t know what SEO stands for – you’re going to love this. We cover:✨ What it’s like being married to a creative business owner✨ The r...

Ever wondered what a car boot sale can teach you about running a creative business? Turns out - quite a lot. In today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing 5 surprising business lessons I learned from selling face-to-face at a local car boot sale last weekend. All of which you can use to help you when it comes to selling your work as creative entrepreneurs. Expect laughs, multiple dramas (I mean, what th...

Are you a creative entrepreneur who’s full of ideas but constantly stuck in start-up mode? Maybe you’ve got a new product, service or studio space ready to go - but instead of launching, you're procrastinating, second-guessing and tweaking things again . In this honest and empowering episode, I’m talking all about why creative and neurodivergent brains struggle with decision-making, time managemen...

If you’ve ever fluffed your way through a speed dating intro (guilty as charged), you’ll know how brutal 60 seconds can be. And guess what? Pitching your business is no different. If you can’t confidently explain what you do in under a minute, you're letting potential customers walk away without a second thought. In this episode, we’re ditching corporate jargon and getting straight to the heart of...

If you’re feeling too comfortable in your business, that’s a problem. Comfort zones might feel safe, but they’re the biggest roadblocks to growth. In today’s episode, we’re diving into why staying comfortable is holding you back, how to embrace discomfort as part of entrepreneurship and why constantly seeking reassurance is keeping you stuck. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take bold action—t...

It’s podcast day! And this episode might be the wake up call you need to answer. Particularly if you’re feeling bored, stuck and wondering if it’s too late for a woman over 40 to change things up… Well, I’ve got news for you. Unless you’re dead - it’s never too late to reinvent your life or your business . And the fact that you’re reading this, tells me you are well and truly alive and kicking. If...

Running a creative business is not for the faint of heart. It’s a rollercoaster ride filled with highs, lows and a whole lot of uncertainty. After 15 years of being self-employed - and navigating two major surgeries in the last 12 months - I’ve learned that success in both business and life comes down to four essential qualities: Hunger, Humility, Hope, and Humour . These aren’t just nice-to-haves...

Hands up if you’ve ever found yourself shying away from communicating with the people who might be interested in your products or service? Are you a creative ninja, specialising in hiding behind your computer, struggling to convey your personality through your social media posts or avoiding eye contact with potential customers at a craft fair because you feel awkward and uncomfortable? On the podc...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I always wanted to…” but never actually followed through? Whether it was starting a creative business, writing that book, or picking up an old passion, life often gets in the way—especially for women who spend years putting everyone else before themselves. In this empowering episode of Her Handmade Hustle: Unplugged , we’re dusting off those forgotten dreams...

It’s podcast day! And today we’re getting honest about whether or not your creative business is bringing in enough income. I know mine hasn’t over the last year. It’s been bloody awful trying to stay afloat after being shut for 6 months following my breast surgery. And it’s happening all over again in 2 weeks time when they whip my ovaries out. (I know, ffs...) So I thought it would be useful to t...

As a small creative business owner, forward planning is non-negotiable. But what happens when it leaves you feeling panicked, disconnected, and burned out before the season or occasion even arrives? In this episode, we dive into the hidden emotional toll of constant planning and why it’s not something anyone prepares you for. I’ll explore the science behind anticipatory stress, decision fatigue, a...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of willpower and how it plays a critical role in helping creative entrepreneurs achieve their goals. With New Year underway, it’s easy to set resolutions but much harder to stick to them. We explore why willpower matters in business, share practical tips for strengthening it and uncover the science behind staying focused and resilient. Packed wit...

In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle a question many creative entrepreneurs are asking: is there still a place for handmade businesses in an age dominated by AI and mass production? The answer might surprise you! Join me as I explore why handmade products continue to thrive despite advances in technology. We'll break down the unique value of artisan creations, discuss how consumer preferen...

This Christmas special is all about family, resilience, and the entrepreneurial spirit that runs deep in ours. I’m joined by my dad, a barber with an incredible 50-year career and a legacy of self-employment that has inspired three generations of entrepreneurs. In this heartfelt and entertaining episode, we dive into: ✨ The story of how my dad became a barber and built his business. ✨ Funny and...

In this eye-opening episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest myths in the entrepreneurial world: time management. If you’ve ever said, “I just don’t have enough hours in the day,” this episode is for you. We’ll explore the uncomfortable truth behind why you might feel too busy and whether you’re actually avoiding the hard, high-value tasks that could take your handmade business to the next le...

***IMPORTANT*** I made a school girl error! I accidentally uploaded last week's episode for this week's! Therefore for a short time S3 Ep27 was the same as S3 Ep.26 (in case you have already listened and thought you were going mad!) The correct episode has now been uploaded so please do press play again to access this week's episode: 'Stop Blaming the Algorithm: Why Your Social Media Strategy Isn’...

Is your handmade business feeling stuck, and you're not sure why? Do you want to know why so many handmade businesses fail? It might be because you’re treating it more like a hobby than a business. In this bold and eye-opening episode, Joanne breaks down the harsh truths female entrepreneurs need to hear about what’s holding back their creative businesses. From mindset shifts to pricing strategies...

In this episode, Joanne talks about the concept of ‘The Invisible Cage’ - the feeling of being "trapped" that many women face when traditional work options don’t align with their life circumstances.  From managing family responsibilities to dealing with health challenges or overcoming a gap in employment, these factors can leave women feeling stuck and unfulfilled. Joanne discusses how self employ...

In this episode, Joanne is talking to Jo Grace, The Curly Hairdresser from Derbyshire who is speaking all about the role of your personality when it comes to business success. Jo shares how to keep clients coming back, time and time again, by just being your authentic self and without ever having to rely on social media for advertising.  Jo and Joanne discuss the importance of human connection as...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the unique ways the creative brain functions and the common challenges it brings. If you’re a creative entrepreneur, you might find yourself facing issues like procrastination, difficulty focusing on one task at a time, struggling to stay organised, or finding it nearly impossible to switch off from work. Joanne discusses why these hurdles are so common in c...

In this episode, Joanne talks to Jo Warwick, a psychotherapist, author, energy healer and fellow podcaster, diving deep into the struggles of perfectionism and self-doubt that so many creative entrepreneurs face. Jo shares invaluable insights on managing our energy, overcoming creative blocks and shifting away from self-critical thinking patterns that hold us back.  We explore practical strategies...

Joanne is joined by Dr Tonya Lawson - a multi-passionate entrepreneur and SEO expert from Nashville, Tennessee, who is here to talk about how to get your creative business seen online.   In this interview, Joanne and Tonya discuss all the things a creative small business owner can do to increase their website on search engines such as Google and drive it up in the rankings. We’re talking about the...

This episode is jam packed full of advice for the creative small business owner wanting to prepare for the Christmas period. Joanne shares her experience of how to maximise your chances of making sales at the busiest time of year and the importance of preparation.  She talks honestly about ways to cope and manage workload if you find yourself too busy but also what to do if you aren’t making any s...

In this episode, Joanne chats with the fabulous Coral Turner, a talented fashion designer who turned her lifelong love of sewing into a thriving couture business to help women feel good about their bodies. Coral shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Manchester to moving to London to chase her dream of becoming a fashion designer at the age of just 19 years old. Joanne and Coral discuss t...