How To Be A Handmade Boss

🍁 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 ho...

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 conve...

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 (espec...

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 🔸 Wh...

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...

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 w...

Welcome to Day 4 of our affirmation series! Today we’re diving into visibility... showing up, shining bright, and calling in your dream customers with confidence and authenticity. These affirmations will help you shake off self-doubt, embrace your unique voice, and remind you that every post, story, and conversation is planting seeds of connection and impact. Whether you listen on repeat for a wee...

Welcome to Day 3 of our 5-day Affirmation Series , created to help you stay focused, inspired ✨, and energised as you move through the Sellathon . Today, we’re leaning into ease, authenticity, and creating a shop experience that feels as good to run as it does to buy from. These affirmations will help you release pressure, build genuine connections, and trust that your creativity and care natural...

Welcome to Day 2 of our 5-day Affirmation Series , designed to help you stay positive, motivated ✨, and focused as you build momentum during the Sellathon . Today, we’re focusing on something so many makers struggle with: truly believing in the value of your products and in your worth as a business owner, creative, and CEO of your handmade brand. These affirmations will help you reconnect with th...

Welcome to Day 1 of our affirmation series! This episode is your gentle reminder that you already have everything you need to succeed in your handmade business. Together, we’ll ground ourselves, release fear, and focus on the small but mighty actions that create momentum and growth. Whether you’re listening in the car, on a walk, or while wrapping orders, let this short audio set you up for a day...

Ever had a listing randomly vanish from Etsy with no explanation? 😳 Or maybe you’ve heard whispers about copyright crackdowns and policy changes that left you wondering if your shop is truly “safe”? 🫣 In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how Etsy’s policies work in 2025 and how you can protect your handmade business without losing sleep or second-guessing every listing. 😌 💻 We’ll walk th...

😩 You’re posting on socials, updating your Etsy listings, and maybe even running the occasional sale... but still not seeing consistent orders? Let’s clear this up once and for all. In this episode, Steph breaks down the real reason you’re not getting sales and no, it’s not the algorithm, your branding, or even your prices. It’s your messaging and once you fix it, everything shifts. 👩‍🔧 We’ll c...

Etsy just dropped their Q1 2025 financial report… and there’s more to it than just numbers. In this episode, I’m breaking down what the latest earnings reveal about where Etsy is heading, how it’s affecting sellers like you, and the big changes to Etsy’s search algorithm - including the now-official Q Score . If you’ve ever felt in the dark about how Etsy decides who gets seen (and who doesn’t), t...

🎧 If you’ve ever thought “I just need more followers to start making decent sales,” this episode is your wake-up call. Meet Sam and Lydia - two handmade business owners using the same platform, same tools, even similar products. But one made over £1k in just 5 days… with less than 400 followers. The difference? Lydia had a plan. 👏 In this episode, we’re diving into:         •        Why engageme...

🎢 Feel like your sales are on a constant rollercoaster? One week you’re rushed off your feet with orders, the next… total crickets? You’re not alone – and the good news? It’s completely fixable. In this episode, we’re breaking down why your sales feel so up and down – and spoiler alert: it’s not your product , pricing , or even your views . It’s your lack of a proper sales system . If you’ve been...

If you’ve been posting on Threads and wondering why some posts take off while others flop... you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how the Threads algorithm works (spoiler: it’s NOT just a copy of Instagram’s). We’ll chat about what Threads looks for when deciding what to show people, the role of engagement (and what kind of engagement actually matters) and why posting more...

In this uplifting episode, I’m chatting with the lovely Jen from Indy Bee Crafts , one of our Handmade Business Success Academy (HBSA) students , about her real and raw journey from craft hobbyist to small business owner. Jen opens up about: 💙 How she found the confidence to start selling 💙 What helped her go from “I can’t do this” to “this is actually working!” 💙 The juggle of life, work, and...

💙 Ever feel like you’re shouting into the void in your Facebook group? You’re not alone...  and it’s not your fault.  🎙️ In this episode, we break down exactly how the Facebook group algorithm works in 2025, and why your posts might not be getting the traction they deserve. 👉 Here’s what we cover:         •        Why even your most valuable posts might get buried         •        The algorithm...

Welcome back to How to Be a Handmade Boss! If you’ve been sleeping on Pinterest, it’s time to wake up because this visual search engine is a goldmine for handmade business owners who want consistent, long-term traffic and sales. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how the Pinterest algorithm works and how you can make it work for you and unlock the secrets to turning your passion into profi...

Hey handmade boss 👋  Feeling like you’re doing all the right things on Instagram but still not getting the reach or engagement you hoped for? You’re not alone — and you’re definitely not doing anything wrong 💛 In this episode, I’m lifting the lid on how the Instagram algorithm actually works in 2025... in simple, no-fluff terms, just for makers like you. Whether you sell on Etsy, your own websit...

🔐 Unlock the secrets to Facebook success for your handmade business! Are you pouring your heart into your Facebook business page only to be met with silence?  👉 This episode of the podcast dives deep into the Facebook page algorithm , specifically for handmade businesses like yours. Learn why your posts aren't reaching your audience (it's not you, it's Facebook!) and discover what...

💙 In this episode we hear directly from students of the HBSA about their experiences and whether the course has worked for them. • Karen tells us how the course has helped her with marketing and identifying her target audience, as well as achieving a better work-life balance • Pash highlights the expertise within the HBSA and emphasises the value of investing in yourself. She calls joining the HB...

💙 'The perfect journey' for Heather and we want it to be for you too! 💬 Steph chats with Heather, the creator of Arthur's Knitting Business, about knitting, teaching, and entrepreneurship ... . Heather's business focuses on providing kits and educational resources to help people learn to knit.  🧶 She's on a mission to remove the misconception that knitting is too diffic...

🤔 Have you always wanted to know how to use Pinterest effectively for your handmade business? 🥳 We've got the answers, join Steph for an in-depth guide on how to use Pinterest to benefit a handmade business.  💙 This episode covers everything you need to know including setting up a Pinterest business account, creating effective pins, optimising your account for your target audience, the typ...

👋 Welcome back to the How To Be A Handmade Boss podcast!  🎉 In this episode, we tackle a common struggle for many handmade business owners: staying motivated to complete those essential but less enjoyable tasks, like bookkeeping, PR activities, and business development. ❓ Join me as I answer a listener's question from Soul Seed Jewellery about shifting mindset and maintaining motivation wh...