
How To Be A Handmade Boss
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.
How To Be A Handmade Boss
#70 - Building a Brand Around What You Actually Love: Fran’s Story
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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🚨 Free Challenge Alert! 🚨
✨ Want more sales from your handmade shop? ✨
Want to boost your Etsy/shop sales?
Join Listathon and learn how to create listings that SELL → handmadebosses.com/listathonweek
Come join me for Listathon - a free challenge designed to help you create listings that actually sell (not sit still).
Across 4 powerful classes you’ll learn how to:
✅ Spot and create products your customers actually want
✅ Optimise your listings so they get seen in search
✅ Multiply your listings without burning out
✅ Market your shop simply (so you can spend more time making, not stressing)
It’s fun, practical, and could be the turning point for your business.
🎟 Sign up free here → handmadebosses.com/listathonweek
Love,
Steph & Team HB xox 💛