The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of Making Things" is where craftsmanship meets business strategy. Hosted by Paul, founder of Philadelphia Table Co. and The Handcrafted Network, this podcast dives into the mindset, pricing, marketing, and systems that help makers turn their craft into a thriving business. Whether you're a woodworker, artisan, or creative entrepreneur, you’ll learn the strategies to build a profitable, sustainable business—because great craftsmanship deserves great business strategy.
The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
How to Be Better Than Everyone Else
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Learn about the Network (Free Trial)
This episode challenges the assumption that the way to beat your competition is simply by making a better product. While great craftsmanship is the price of admission, the businesses that truly stand out focus on improving everything surrounding the product—the customer experience, communication, delivery, and the countless small details competitors overlook. Drawing on examples from Unreasonable Hospitality, Uber, and Philadelphia Table Company's own delivery challenges, Paul argues that lasting competitive advantages often come from solving problems outside the core product itself.
Key Takeaways
- A great product is the baseline—not the competitive advantage.
- Study where competitors create frustration instead of only copying what they do well.
- The biggest opportunities often exist outside your core craft.
- Small improvements to the customer experience can create a much larger competitive advantage than marginal product improvements.
- Every step of the customer journey—from the first inquiry to final delivery—shapes your reputation.
- Ask yourself: What are my competitors unwilling to do that would create an unforgettable experience for my customers?