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How To Be A Handmade Boss

How To Be A Handmade Boss

By: Steph Cole-Lewis
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About this listen

Whether you’re a complete beginner on Etsy, or want to scale your handmade business to multi-6 figures, the “How To Be A Handmade Boss” podcast gives you actionable advice and workshop style full length episodes to grow your handmade business on Etsy and beyond.

We get it. Starting or growing a handmade business can be really overwhelming, and sometimes you feel like you have an expensive hobby rather than a profitable business. If you have questions like “How can I make sales in my business?” “How do I start a handmade shop?” “How can I make this passion my full-time gig?” or “How do I sell my crafts online” then you’re in the right place boss!

I’m Steph, a multi 6-figure handmade business owner (in the top 0.1% of all shops on Etsy), bestselling author of “How to be a handmade boss”, visionary and coach behind Handmade Bosses.

However, It wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns though. Today, my business(es) are bustling, but way back in 2014 when I started, it was HARD. Favourites but no sales, slow sales and low profits seemed in the beginning, like the trajectory of my business. Luckily following the system I’ve now curated, All of that changed and I went full-time in my handmade business in 2016.

Let’s focus on turning your passion into profit, because the world really does need these special creations that you only bring to life.

© 2025 How To Be A Handmade Boss Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • #68 - Understanding the Seasons of Your Handmade Business (And How to Thrive in Each One)

    #68 - Understanding the Seasons of Your Handmade Business (And How to Thrive in Each One)
    Jun 25 2025

    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 feels like (and how to tell which one you’re in)

    🔥 Why forcing ‘summer energy’ 24/7 leads to burnout

    🧘 How to support your energy and stay aligned, no matter what phase you’re in

    🧺 Real-life examples of how I simplify, reset, launch, and grow throughout the year


    PLUS: I’m sharing a fun mindset reframe that’ll help you let go of the guilt when things slow down, because it’s not failure, it’s preparation. 💛

    The Summer Sales Sprint: £1k in 1 Week Challenge is happening RIGHT NOW — and it’s not too late to join us!

    🗓️ Challenge runs 16–20 June

    💬 Free live trainings inside our private Facebook group

    🎯 And the best part? Doors to HBSA (Handmade Business Success Academy) are now OFFICIALLY OPEN until 2nd July at 8pm UK time!


    ✨ Come learn the step-by-step sales system that’s helped over 770 handmade sellers go from ‘stuck’ to sold out

    ✨ Get real-time support, daily tasks, and a personalised plan

    ✨ And see how you can turn this challenge into repeatable results all year long


    📥 Sign up free here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/sellathonsprint

    🔥 Join HBSA here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/summer


    🌟 PS: Love the podcast? Please leave a review, it helps more handmade sellers find our community and resources!

    ✨ Free resources: Want to move forward without paying yet?

    ✨ Work with us for deeper, transformative support

    ✨ Join my free live mini workshops on YouTube + Facebook most Mondays!
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • #67 - Day 5 Affirmation: Abundance & Repeatable Success

    #67 - Day 5 Affirmation: Abundance & Repeatable Success
    Jun 20 2025

    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 that success is already in motion and you are ready to receive it.

    Take a deep breath, let the words sink in, and get ready to soar to new heights. You’ve got this!

    The Summer Sales Sprint: £1k in 1 Week Challenge is happening RIGHT NOW — and it’s not too late to join us!

    🗓️ Challenge runs 16–20 June

    💬 Free live trainings inside our private Facebook group

    🎯 And the best part? Doors to HBSA (Handmade Business Success Academy) are now OFFICIALLY OPEN until 2nd July at 8pm UK time!


    ✨ Come learn the step-by-step sales system that’s helped over 770 handmade sellers go from ‘stuck’ to sold out

    ✨ Get real-time support, daily tasks, and a personalised plan

    ✨ And see how you can turn this challenge into repeatable results all year long


    📥 Sign up free here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/sellathonsprint

    🔥 Join HBSA here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/summer


    🌟 PS: Love the podcast? Please leave a review, it helps more handmade sellers find our community and resources!

    ✨ Free resources: Want to move forward without paying yet?

    ✨ Work with us for deeper, transformative support

    ✨ Join my free live mini workshops on YouTube + Facebook most Mondays!
    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • #66 - Day 4 Affirmation: Embracing Visibility & Magnetic Energy

    #66 - Day 4 Affirmation: Embracing Visibility & Magnetic Energy
    Jun 19 2025

    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 week or weave it into your challenge journey, let this audio help you feel more open, seen, and magnetic in your marketing. Your people are out there and they’re ready for you. Let’s take a deep breath, release the tension, and step into the spotlight together.

    The Summer Sales Sprint: £1k in 1 Week Challenge is happening RIGHT NOW — and it’s not too late to join us!

    🗓️ Challenge runs 16–20 June

    💬 Free live trainings inside our private Facebook group

    🎯 And the best part? Doors to HBSA (Handmade Business Success Academy) are now OFFICIALLY OPEN until 2nd July at 8pm UK time!


    ✨ Come learn the step-by-step sales system that’s helped over 770 handmade sellers go from ‘stuck’ to sold out

    ✨ Get real-time support, daily tasks, and a personalised plan

    ✨ And see how you can turn this challenge into repeatable results all year long


    📥 Sign up free here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/sellathonsprint

    🔥 Join HBSA here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/summer


    🌟 PS: Love the podcast? Please leave a review, it helps more handmade sellers find our community and resources!

    ✨ Free resources: Want to move forward without paying yet?

    ✨ Work with us for deeper, transformative support

    ✨ Join my free live mini workshops on YouTube + Facebook most Mondays!
    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
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