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.
Episodes
34 episodes
Why My Maker Business Doesn’t Have an Online Store
Join the NetworkIn this episode, Paul breaks down why Philadelphia Table Company—and most custom woodworking businesses—should not operate like an e-commerce brand. After years ...
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9:27
Stop Hiring the Wrong People: How to Build a Shop Team That Actually Works
Join the NetworkSummary:In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on how he actually hires at Philadelphia Table Company—what’s worked, what’s burned him, and how he’s refi...
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27:59
Eight Free Ways to Get Customers When Your Phone Isn’t Ringing
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 real conversations inside the Ha...
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18:25
Office Hours: When to Build Systems, Run Ads, and Close More Sales
Join the Network. Summary:In this Office Hours episode, Paul tackles three key questions makers often face as they grow their businesses. He breaks down when ...
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15:25
Don’t Niche Too Soon (or Too Late): Let the Market Guide You
The Handcrafted NetworkSummary:In this episode, Paul dives into one of the most debated topics in the maker business world: finding your niche. Whether you're just...
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12:58
Going Beyond Expectations: The Power of Unreasonable Hospitality
Join The Network.In this episode, Paul explores how makers and creative business owners can transform their client experience by going above and beyond what’s expected — a concept in...
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19:25
Working with Interior Designers: The Secret to Consistent Work and High-Value Clients
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 growth strategies for makers an...
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22:36
Social Media Strategy for Makers
Learn More about the NetworkIn this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul breaks down how makers can approach social media without the overwhelm. He shares practical stra...
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29:00
Keeping Clients Committed: Deposits, Checkpoints, and Clear Expectations
Join the Network! In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares hard-earned lessons about preventing refund requests and keeping clients engaged after they’ve...
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17:21
Finding the Real “Silver Bullet” in Business Growth
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 growth? Drawing from his own journey building Philadelphia Table Company, Paul expl...
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16:10
Office Hours: Single-Maker Workflow, Meta Ads Readiness, Niche Focus & Pricing Math
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 to navigate niche decisions (built-ins vs. custom furniture), and the pricing math that suppo...
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21:40
Scaling Your Woodworking Business with Strategic Revenue Planning
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 already running a team and aiming for the next big revenue milestone. Drawing from his own experi...
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19:20
Different Beats Best: Be the Purple Cow
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul revisits Seth Godin’s Purple Cow and lays out how makers break through by being deliberately different rather than chasing “best.” Sparked by a marketing convo earlier in the day, he ref...
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16:00
Office Hours: CNC in the Shop, Working with Designers, and Building a Collection
In this quick Office Hours episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul tackles three listener questions before heading out on vacation. He shares his perspective on integrating CNC machines without compromising craftsmanship, explains how...
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12:00
From Hello to Handshake: My Sales Process for Makers
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the exact sales process he uses at Philadelphia Table Company to consistently close custom furniture projects. From building trust fast through in-person meetings, Zoom calls, and...
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27:33
The Four Pillars of Enlightened Manufacturing: Building a Business with Purpose
Summary:In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the ethos behind Philadelphia Table Company and the guiding framework he calls Enlightened Manufacturing—a values-based approach to running a profitable,...
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15:24
Office Hours: Scaling Beyond Etsy, Holding the Line on Price, and Making Time for Systems
In this Office Hours edition, Paul answers four thoughtful listener questions covering key transitions in growing a handcrafted business. He dives into why he chose to scale beyond Etsy and the personal turning point that pushed him to hire and...
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29:32
How I Actually Use AI in My Handmade Business (And What I Avoid)
In this episode, Paul dives into the real-world ways he's using AI—specifically ChatGPT—to streamline and grow his handcrafted furniture business. He shares how AI serves as a behind-the-scenes business partner, helping with everything from ad ...
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25:30
Craft at Every Touchpoint: Building a Luxury Experience from Quote to Delivery
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 from Philadelphia Table Company, he walks through their entire client experie...
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21:53
Office Hours: Burnout, Pricing, Sales, and Quality Control
In this “office hours”–style episode, Paul answers listener questions about the real challenges of running a small woodworking or maker business.He starts with a short pitch for the Handcrafted Network, explaining the difference b...
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16:40
From Side Hustle to 7 Figures: The Philadelphia Table Company Origin Story
In this episode, Paul shares the unfiltered origin story of Philadelphia Table Company—from building a first table for his apartment to running a nearly $2 million custom furniture business with a team of 10.He details the real timeline:...
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34:37
From Cash Chaos to Profit Clarity: My Shop’s Cash Flow Turnaround
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—and the major shift that helped turn things around. He talks about the classic trap of ...
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13:47
Think Like a Luxury Brand: How to Attract High-End Clients
In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul shares the foundational principles of luxury strategy that helped him grow Philadelphia Table Company into a high-end custom furniture brand. Fresh off a talk at the WoodPro Expo, he unp...
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20:51
The Human Touch: Why AI Will Never Replace the Artisan
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 with Simon Sinek, he discusses the skills AI can’t replicate—empathy, patience, imperfection—an...
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18:10
How to Talk About Price Without Flinching (Plus: Letting Go of Control in the Shop)
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 about money—and how to shift that mindset. I’ll walk you through practical ways to confidently commu...
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21:16