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PODCAST

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

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All Episodes

14:23

What Interior Designers Actually Value: Survey...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/05/18

Join the Network: Article Here: Paul breaks down findings from an interior designer industry survey and translates them into practical takeaways for furniture makers, woodworkers, and custom vendors. The episode focuses on where clients are willing to spend, what luxury buyers prioritize, and how makers can better position their businesses to work with interior designers and repeat clients. The biggest takeaway: many makers may be spending too much time marketing things cli...

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14:23

Why Clients Don’t Choose You: The “Why Not?” Exercise...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/05/11

Year of growth course. Summary: In this episode, Paul dives into a powerful mindset shift that came from intentionally slowing down and creating space to think. While reflecting during quiet moments with his newborn son, he began exploring a question most business owners never ask deeply enough: not just “Why do customers choose us?” but “Why don’t they?” Using Philadelphia Table Company as a real-world example, Paul breaks down how identifying “why nots” can reveal the biggest growth o...

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17:55

AI for Makers: The Right Tool for the Right Job

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/05/04

Join the Community Summary: Paul breaks down how he’s actually using AI tools inside his business—not hypothetically, but in real, practical ways that save time, improve communication, and support growth. The core takeaway: there’s no single “all-in-one” AI. Each tool has strengths, and understanding how to use them strategically is what creates leverage. He also reinforces a broader mindset shift—don’t wait for perfect. Whether it’s launching a podcast or adopting new tools, momentum beats p...

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18:53

Office Hours: Pricing Fear, Better Clients, and...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/04/27

Join the Network Summary: In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers real questions from listeners navigating the transition from maker to business owner. The conversation covers skepticism about the Handcrafted Network, the mental hurdles of raising prices, the struggle to step out of production, and how to attract higher-quality clients. Throughout the episode, Paul emphasizes that the hardest part of building a craft business isn’t the craft—it’s the business side. He shares candid insig...

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18:50

Pricing Is a Story: Why Value Beats Cost Every Time

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/04/20

Join the Community Seth's Blog on Pricing. Summary: In this episode, Paul reflects on a powerful blog post by Seth Godin about pricing—and why most makers get it wrong. Instead of treating pricing as a simple equation based on cost, Paul unpacks the idea that pricing is deeply tied to perception, storytelling, and the value customers believe they’re receiving. Drawing from his own experiences at Philadelphia Table Company, Paul explores how underpricing often stems from a weak narrative—n...

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12:43

The Pricing Blind Spot: Reading the Client’s Hand

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/04/13

Join the Community Summary: Paul reflects on a missed opportunity that reshaped how he thinks about pricing, client perception, and value in the custom furniture world. After quoting a large table and referring the client elsewhere, he discovers the project sold for double his price—forcing him to confront how his own assumptions limited the outcome. The episode explores the idea that pricing is less about cost and more about positioning, perception, and confidence. Paul begins rethinking how...

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12:23

5 Moves That Actually Move the Needle This Week

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/04/06

Join the Network Summary: In this episode, Paul shifts away from theory and focuses on immediate, practical actions makers can take to generate momentum in their business. Instead of overthinking strategy, he emphasizes simple, proven moves that directly impact revenue, positioning, and opportunity—many of which are already sitting right in front of you. The core message: you don’t need a full overhaul to grow—you need decisive action. By executing just one or two of these tactics consistentl...

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13:46

Why Struggle Is the Shortcut to Success

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/03/30

Become a Member! Summary: In this episode, Paul reflects on a key insight from Adam Grant’s book Hidden Potential: real learning doesn’t come from comfort—it comes from struggle. He connects this idea directly to building a business, emphasizing that failure, discomfort, and setbacks aren’t signs you’re doing something wrong—they’re the exact process required for growth. Drawing from personal experiences, conversations with his dad, and lessons inside his own company, Paul reframes failure as...

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28:30

Luxury Strategy for Makers: Charge More, Sell Less,...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/03/23

Join the Community Summary: In this episode, Paul reflects on a family trip that did not go as planned, using it as a reminder to keep things real rather than polished for appearances. From there, he shifts into a deeper conversation on luxury strategy and how makers can position their businesses to attract better clients, command higher prices, and create stronger brands. Paul breaks down the idea that luxury is not about flash or excess, but about story, scarcity, intention, trust, ...

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7:49

Why Taking a Break Makes You Better at Business

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/03/16

Join the Community Summary: In this short, journal-style episode, Paul reflects on something many makers and business owners struggle with: giving themselves permission to step away. As he prepares to leave for a family vacation, he shares why rest is not the opposite of hard work, but an important part of sustaining it. Paul pushes back on hustle culture and the idea that nonstop work should be celebrated. Instead, he makes the case that breaks, reflection, and intentional time away are ofte...

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19:25

Office Hours: Instagram Strategy, Portfolio Projects,...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/03/09

JOIN THE COMMUNITY Summary: In this Office Hours episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul answers four listener questions from makers navigating the realities of running a craft business. The conversation covers practical topics ranging from using Instagram strategically to deciding whether “cool” projects are worth doing, maintaining quality as you hire, and improving efficiency in a custom shop. Drawing from his experience building Philadelphia Table Company, Paul shares lessons on engageme...

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16:53

Why I’m Still Doing This: The Real Upside of Being a...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/03/02

Join the network. Summary: In this reflective, journal-style episode, Paul opens up about a tough February—slow deals, internal challenges, and the emotional weight that comes with being the one ultimately responsible for everything. After a candid conversation with his wife about whether the stress is worth it, he sits down and writes out five reasons why he continues to choose the path of entrepreneurship. This episode is an honest look at the downsides of running a business—financial...

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15:57

The Mental Shift That Unlocks Growth

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/02/23

Join the Network In this episode, Paul challenges makers who feel stuck at $100K–$150K in revenue to confront the real barrier to growth: identity. Most craftsmen start their businesses because they love making things—not because they love running a business. But if you want to make a true living doing this work, a mindset shift is required. Drawing from his own experience building Philadelphia Table Company while navigating his wife’s cancer diagnosis and growing family responsibilities, Pau...

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13:03

Business Is a Game of Whac-A-Mole

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/02/16

Join the Network! Summary: In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on why he created the Handcrafted Network and the Handcrafted Podcast in the first place. While there’s endless content about how to build furniture, there’s very little practical guidance on how to run a maker business. Paul shares how his own journey—learning through mentors, books, podcasts, and real-world experience—led him to build a community dedicated to the business side of craftsmanship. The second half of ...

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17:30

Don’t Be Seen as a Commodity: you don’t win by being...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/02/09

Invest in your growth! Summary In this episode, Paul shares a candid story from a recent mentor meeting that reframed how he thinks about clients, pricing, and positioning. After navigating a stressful corporate project that spiraled into missed expectations and rushed timelines, a simple insight emerged: when clients see you as a commodity, they treat you like one. Through real-world examples from both his own business and a mentor’s decades-long career, Paul breaks down why great make...

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16:32

Four Costly Mistakes That Hold Maker Businesses Back

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/02/02

We Want You In the Community! Summary: As February kicks off, Paul reflects on balancing life as a new dad and a business owner before diving into four of the most common (and costly) mistakes he sees maker business owners make—including mistakes he’s made himself. This episode is a practical, honest look at why so many talented makers struggle to grow sustainably, even when their craftsmanship is top-tier. From trying to serve everyone, to focusing only on the product, to refusing help...

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25:08

Office Hours: Income Goals, Timelines, Hiring, and...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/01/26

Become a member! Summary: In this Office Hours episode, Paul answers a wide range of listener questions pulled directly from the Handcrafted Network community. The conversation centers on realistic income expectations, especially the path to paying yourself $150K as a maker, and how different business models—custom furniture versus cabinetry or millwork—affect cash flow, scalability, and long-term value. Paul also digs into the realities of running a custom shop: setting delivery expe...

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16:40

Why Your Sales Process Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/01/19

Join the Community Summary: In this episode, Paul breaks down why so many makers struggle to close deals—not because of their craftsmanship, but because of a weak or nonexistent sales process. Drawing directly from how he runs sales at Philadelphia Table Company, Paul walks through what actually works when it comes to qualifying leads, building trust, and closing high-ticket custom projects. Rather than treating sales as something “slimy” or transactional, Paul reframes it as a human, relatio...

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19:23

The 8 Website Essentials Every Maker Needs to...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/01/12

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 every effective site must include. Drawing from his experience building Philadelphia Table Company and reviewing countless member sites inside the Handcrafted Network, Paul explains how a website should do more than “look good”—it should actively qualify leads, tell your story, and drive real inquiries. This is a tactical, no-...

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17:58

Goals, Not Resolutions: How to Reverse-Engineer Your...

The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things ·

2026/01/05

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 growth. Instead of vague resolutions, he makes the case for practical, achievable goal-setting—especially when it comes to revenue. Drawing from how he plans each year inside his own business, Paul walks listeners through a simple, repeatable framework for turning big annual goals into clear weekly targets. The episode centers...

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80 results

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