The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things

Join the Community  Summary: In this episode, Paul breaks down the most common mistakes he sees makers make with their websites—and shares eight practical elements every effective site must include. Drawing from his experience building Philadelphia Table Company and reviewing countless member sites inside the Handcrafted Network, Paul explains how a website should do more than “look good”—it shoul...

Join the Network!  Summary: In this New Year episode, Paul kicks off 2026 by challenging the “new year, new me” mindset and reframing how makers should think about growth. Instead of vague resolutions, he makes the case for practical, achievable goal-setting—especially when it comes to revenue. Drawing from how he plans each year inside his own business, Paul walks listeners through a simple, repe...

Make 2026 your year!!! :   Join the Community  Summary: In this short, personal holiday episode, Paul checks in with listeners to talk about the importance of consistency—showing up even when life is full, tiring, or uncertain. Recorded just days after the birth of his first son, the episode reflects on commitment, accountability, and why doing the hard things is often what leads to the most meani...

Summary: In this end-of-year episode, Paul reflects on the past year—both personally and professionally—as he heads into the holidays and a new chapter of life. Rather than pushing traditional New Year’s goal-setting, he shares a more grounded, sustainable approach built on reflection, honesty, and problem-solving. Drawing from real examples inside Philadelphia Table Company, Paul explains how loo...

Join the Community  Summary: In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers real questions from listeners inside the Handcrafted Network community. He covers four of the most common challenges makers face: when to raise your prices, how to build your first real system, what to do when leads slow down, and how to confidently hire your first employee. Paul breaks each question down with practical, real-...

Join the Network Summary: In this episode, Paul reflects on the five foundational decisions that fundamentally changed the trajectory of Philadelphia Table Company—and later, the Handcrafted Network. Looking back at more than a decade of growth, he breaks down the mindset shifts, operational upgrades, and financial disciplines that allowed him to move beyond survival mode and build a real, sustain...

Join the Network Summary: In this Black Friday episode, Paul shares reflections from Thanksgiving and uses a recent Handcrafted Network discussion to tackle two big topics: why he refuses to run holiday sales and whether makers should consider opening a showroom or design studio . Drawing from his own journey—starting with bringing clients through his house, then the workshop, and eventually build...

Join the Network In this episode, Paul breaks down why Philadelphia Table Company—and most custom woodworking businesses—should not operate like an e-commerce brand. After years of experimenting with online “click-to-buy” checkout, he realized that almost no one purchases custom or high-end handmade furniture without a conversation, a connection, or a tailored experience. Paul explains how shiftin...

Join the Network Summary: In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on how he actually hires at Philadelphia Table Company—what’s worked, what’s burned him, and how he’s refined the process as the team has grown to 10+ people. He talks about why “greatness is in the agency of others,” why waiting too long to hire can hold your whole business back, and how to know when it’s time to bring someone...

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 ap...

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—bef...

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,...

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 r...

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....

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...

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 check...

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 t...

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 qual...

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...

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 “be...

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. Pac...

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...

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...

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 a...

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...