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
41 episodes
The 8 Website Essentials Every Maker Needs to Generate Better Leads
Join the Community Summary:In this episode, Paul breaks down the most common mistakes he sees makers make with their websites—and shares eight practical elements ever...
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19:23
Goals, Not Resolutions: How to Reverse-Engineer Your Revenue in 2026
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 should think about grow...
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17:58
Consistency, Commitment, and Showing Up (Even When It’s Hard)
Make 2026 your year!!! : Join the Community Summary:In this short, personal holiday episode, Paul checks in with listeners to talk about the importance of consi...
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7:54
Reflect Before You Reset: A Better Way to Think About Goals
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 chapter of life. Rather than pushing traditional New Year’s goal-setting, he shares a more...
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15:09
Office Hours: Pricing Confidence, Systems That Save You, Lead Generation, and Hiring Your First Employee
Join the Community Summary:In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers real questions from listeners inside the Handcrafted Network community. He covers fou...
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15:27
The Five Game-Changers That Took My Business to the Next Level
Join the NetworkSummary:In this episode, Paul reflects on the five foundational decisions that fundamentally changed the trajectory of Philadelphia Table C...
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23:13
Should You Open a Showroom? Why It Might Be the Best Move You Ever Make
Join the NetworkSummary:In this Black Friday episode, Paul shares reflections from Thanksgiving and uses a recent Handcrafted Network discussion to tackle tw...
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24:19
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