The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Episodes
Why Struggle Is the Shortcut to Success
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Become a Member!Summary:In this episode, Paul reflects on a key insight from Adam Grant’s book Hidden Potential: real learning doesn’t come from c...
Luxury Strategy for Makers: Charge More, Sell Less, Build a Brand People Want
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the CommunitySummary:In this episode, Paul reflects on a family trip that did not go as planned, using it as a reminder to keep things real rathe...
Why Taking a Break Makes You Better at Business
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the CommunitySummary:In this short, journal-style episode, Paul reflects on something many makers and business owners struggle with: giving thems...
Office Hours: Instagram Strategy, Portfolio Projects, Hiring Makers, and Shop Efficiency
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
JOIN THE COMMUNITYSummary:In this Office Hours episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul answers four listener questions from makers navigating the rea...
Why I’m Still Doing This: The Real Upside of Being a Small Business Owner
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the network. Summary:In this reflective, journal-style episode, Paul opens up about a tough February—slow deals, internal challenges, and the ...
The Mental Shift That Unlocks Growth
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the NetworkIn this episode, Paul challenges makers who feel stuck at $100K–$150K in revenue to confront the real barrier to growth: identity. M...
Business Is a Game of Whac-A-Mole
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Network! Summary:In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on why he created the Handcrafted Network and the Handcrafted Podcast in the f...
Don’t Be Seen as a Commodity: you don’t win by being cheaper
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Invest in your growth! SummaryIn this episode, Paul shares a candid story from a recent mentor meeting that reframed how he thinks about clients, pri...
Four Costly Mistakes That Hold Maker Businesses Back
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We Want You In the Community! Summary:As February kicks off, Paul reflects on balancing life as a new dad and a business owner before diving into fou...
Office Hours: Income Goals, Timelines, Hiring, and Pricing for Makers
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Become a member! Summary:In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers a wide range of listener questions pulled directly from the Handcrafted Network c...
Why Your Sales Process Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the CommunitySummary:In this episode, Paul breaks down why so many makers struggle to close deals—not because of their craftsmanship, but becau...
The 8 Website Essentials Every Maker Needs to Generate Better Leads
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Community Summary:In this episode, Paul breaks down the most common mistakes he sees makers make with their websites—and shares eight prac...
Goals, Not Resolutions: How to Reverse-Engineer Your Revenue in 2026
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 sh...
Consistency, Commitment, and Showing Up (Even When It’s Hard)
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Make 2026 your year!!! :  Join the Community Summary:In this short, personal holiday episode, Paul checks in with listeners to talk about the import...
Reflect Before You Reset: A Better Way to Think About Goals
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 cha...
Office Hours: Pricing Confidence, Systems That Save You, Lead Generation, and Hiring Your First Employee
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Community Summary:In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers real questions from listeners inside the Handcrafted Network community. He cove...
The Five Game-Changers That Took My Business to the Next Level
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the NetworkSummary:In this episode, Paul reflects on the five foundational decisions that fundamentally changed the trajectory of Philadelphia Ta...
Should You Open a Showroom? Why It Might Be the Best Move You Ever Make
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the NetworkSummary:In this Black Friday episode, Paul shares reflections from Thanksgiving and uses a recent Handcrafted Network discussion to ta...
Why Your Maker Business Shouldn’t Have an Online Store
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the NetworkIn this episode, Paul breaks down why Philadelphia Table Company—and most custom woodworking businesses—should not operate like an...
Stop Hiring the Wrong People: How to Build a Shop Team That Actually Works
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the NetworkSummary:In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on how he actually hires at Philadelphia Table Company—what’s worked, what’...
Eight Free Ways to Get Customers When Your Phone Isn’t Ringing
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Office Hours: When to Build Systems, Run Ads, and Close More Sales
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Network. Summary:In this Office Hours episode, Paul tackles three key questions makers often face as they grow their businesses. He breaks d...
Don’t Niche Too Soon (or Too Late): Let the Market Guide You
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Handcrafted NetworkSummary:In this episode, Paul dives into one of the most debated topics in the maker business world: finding your niche. Whethe...
Going Beyond Expectations: The Power of Unreasonable Hospitality
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join The Network.In this episode, Paul explores how makers and creative business owners can transform their client experience by going above and beyon...
Working with Interior Designers: The Secret to Consistent Work and High-Value Clients
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the NetworkIn this episode, Paul dives deep into the world of interior designers and how partnering with them can become one of the most powerful...
Social Media Strategy for Makers
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn More about the NetworkIn this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul breaks down how makers can approach social media without the overwhelm. H...
Keeping Clients Committed: Deposits, Checkpoints, and Clear Expectations
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Network! In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares hard-earned lessons about preventing refund requests and keeping clients en...
Finding the Real “Silver Bullet” in Business Growth
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 growt...
Office Hours: Single-Maker Workflow, Meta Ads Readiness, Niche Focus & Pricing Math
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Scaling Your Woodworking Business with Strategic Revenue Planning
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Different Beats Best: Be the Purple Cow
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul revisits Seth Godin’s Purple Cow and lays out how makers break through by being deliberately differ...
Office Hours: CNC in the Shop, Working with Designers, and Building a Collection
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this quick Office Hours episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul tackles three listener questions before heading out on vacation. He shares his per...
From Hello to Handshake: My Sales Process for Makers
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the exact sales process he uses at Philadelphia Table Company to consistently close custom fur...
The Four Pillars of Enlightened Manufacturing: Building a Business with Purpose
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summary:In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the ethos behind Philadelphia Table Company and the guiding framework he calls Enlight...
Office Hours: Scaling Beyond Etsy, Holding the Line on Price, and Making Time for Systems
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Office Hours edition, Paul answers four thoughtful listener questions covering key transitions in growing a handcrafted business. He dives int...
How I Actually Use AI in My Handmade Business (And What I Avoid)
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Paul dives into the real-world ways he's using AI—specifically ChatGPT—to streamline and grow his handcrafted furniture busi...
Craft at Every Touchpoint: Building a Luxury Experience from Quote to Delivery
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul breaks down what it truly means to deliver craft beyond just the final product. Using real examples f...
Office Hours: Burnout, Pricing, Sales, and Quality Control
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this “office hours”–style episode, Paul answers listener questions about the real challenges of running a small woodworking or maker business...
From Side Hustle to 7 Figures: The Philadelphia Table Company Origin Story
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Paul shares the unfiltered origin story of Philadelphia Table Company—from building a first table for his apartment to running a ne...
From Cash Chaos to Profit Clarity: My Shop’s Cash Flow Turnaround
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul opens up about a real, unfiltered look at the cash flow challenges his custom furniture shop faced—...
Think Like a Luxury Brand: How to Attract High-End Clients
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the foundational principles of luxury strategy that helped him grow Philadelphia Table Company...
The Human Touch: Why AI Will Never Replace the Artisan
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Paul explores how the rise of artificial intelligence could change not just how we work—but who we are. Drawing from a conversation...
How to Talk About Price Without Flinching (Plus: Letting Go of Control in the Shop)
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If quoting your price makes your stomach twist or your voice drop, this episode is for you. We’re unpacking why so many makers struggle to talk abou...
Selling Before Building: What a Delayed Table Taught Me About Leadership, Clients, and Risk
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Hand Crafted Podcast, I get honest about a recent challenge—selling a custom table design before we ever built a prototype. W...
Your Brand Is Not Just Your Logo: A Maker’s Guide to Real Marketing
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most makers think branding means a cool logo and a few Instagram posts. But your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room. ...
From Chaos to Clarity: Structuring Your Day as a Maker-Founder
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most makers are stuck in reactive mode—answering emails, rushing to meet deadlines, and putting out fires. But if you never create space for future-...
Who’s It For? How to Find (and Talk to) Your Ideal Client
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Hand Crafted Podcast, Paul breaks down how to identify your ideal client—or "avatar"—so you can stop guessing and...
The Flywheel Effect: Why Consistency Builds Greatness
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul dives into Jim Collins’ powerful Flywheel Effect from the book Good to Great—a concept that expla...
Stop Staring at the Scoreboard: How to Play a Better Game in Business
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of Making Things, Paul breaks down the true meaning of strategy for makers and business owner...
Sales First: How I Broke the $1M Barrier Without Ads
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul dives into one of the most overlooked yet essential parts of running a successful maker business: sal...
“Why Ads Won’t Save Your Business”
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of Making Things, Paul dives deep into one of the hottest topics in the maker business world:...
"Crafting Luxury: Why Raising Your Prices Attracts Better Clients"
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"In this episode, Paul  shares his journey of transforming Philadelphia Table Company into a luxury brand, revealing how raising prices attracte...