How To Be A Handmade Boss

#70 - Building a Brand Around What You Actually Love: Fran’s Story

Steph Cole-Lewis Season 1 Episode 70

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 (especially when you're not a fan of working solo).

Fran also opens up about leaving behind a business that didn’t light her up, starting again with a friend and fresh purpose, and how the Handmade Business Success Academy helped shape her journey. If you’ve ever questioned whether your idea is the one, or wondered if starting over means starting from scratch – this one’s for you.

💬 Topics we cover:
 • Making your business match your life (not the other way round)
 • Why it's okay to leave a business that’s not working
• How hobbies can connect you to your customers – and your best friends
• The mindset shift that made all the difference
• Fran’s tip for finding your thing when you’re full of ideas

🛒 Explore Fran’s brand: bourneto.shop 

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🎙 Welcome to the Handmade Bosses Podcast with Steph 👋

If you’re dreaming of starting your handmade business or knee-deep in Etsy listings and feeling stuck - you’re in the right place.

I’m Steph - handmade business coach, Etsy seller since 2016, and founder of Handmade Bosses. I help makers go from overwhelmed to consistent sales (yes, even if you’re just starting).


🛍 Learn how to:

• Start and grow on Etsy

• Turn browsers into buyers

• Master SEO, branding, pricing

• Find your niche and ideal customer

• Scale beyond Etsy to your own website


💸 I’ve helped thousands of makers build profitable 4 and 5-figure shops — and in this podcast, I’ll show you how too.


✨ Free starter resources: handmadebosses.com/freeresources


🎓 Deeper help? Explore the HBSA, the SMS & more: handmadebosses.com/paidresources


📅 Join our Facebook group for free workshops: facebook.com/groups/handmadebosses/events


📸 Follow us on Instagram for tips and inspo: instagram.com/handmadebosses


Hit follow, grab a brew, and let’s grow your handmade biz.


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