In this fun and refreshingly honest episode, I’m joined by my husband Dave to explore the real-life experience of living with a creative female entrepreneur (aka me!). If you run a small business from your kitchen table, studio or shed – and your partner still doesn’t know what SEO stands for – you’re going to love this.

We cover:✨ What it’s like being married to a creative business owner✨ The reality of supporting someone chasing big business dreams✨ Hilarious confessions from “the other side” of self-employment✨ And of course... the return of “5 Minutes with Dave” — where I quiz him on business buzzwords. Spoiler: he has no idea.

This episode is light-hearted, relatable, and perfect for creative women in business who need a giggle and a reminder they’re not alone.

Ever wondered what a car boot sale can teach you about running a creative business? Turns out - quite a lot.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing 5 surprising business lessons I learned from selling face-to-face at a local car boot sale last weekend. All of which you can use to help you when it comes to selling your work as creative entrepreneurs.

Expect laughs, multiple dramas (I mean, what the hell did I expect when I decided doing a car boot sale with a 5 year old was a good idea?!) and plenty of relatable insights for anyone who sells their work online, at markets or anywhere in between.

What You’ll Learn

* understanding the power of first impressions

* mastering the art of impulse buys

* how to handle hagglers without crumbling

* learning how to selling your creative work confidently and connect with customers

* the benefit of letting go of products (or ideas) that no longer serve your business

And the lessons in this episode apply to you no matter what you’re selling - or where. Whether it’s a product or a service and you’re selling at markets, craft fairs, pop-ups or just online, you’ll be able to use them to boost your small business success.

And if you enjoy the episode, please do send it to one other person who you think would enjoy it too - I’d be eternally grateful for your help in sharing my podcast far and wide!

I’d love to know if this episode helped you feel more confident about selling your creative work - and if you’ve ever braved a car boot sale yourself, drop me a message or tag me on Instagram - I’m desperate to know other people’s funniest or most dramatic car boot story!

Until next week,

Joanne

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The Her Handmade Hustle Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Are you a creative entrepreneur who’s full of ideas but constantly stuck in start-up mode? Maybe you’ve got a new product, service or studio space ready to go - but instead of launching, you're procrastinating, second-guessing and tweaking things again.

In this honest and empowering episode, I’m talking all about why creative and neurodivergent brains struggle with decision-making, time management and getting tasks done - and more importantly, what you can do to stop the cycle and just open the bloody door.

Whether you’re battling perfectionism or simply paralysed by fear and overwhelm, this episode will help you take action - your way. I’m also sharing my five-step method to beat procrastination, ditch the pressure of the ‘big launch’ and finally get that business idea out into the world.

🎧 Want ongoing support from a community that truly gets it? Join my WhatsApp Support Group for Creative Business Owners, supporting Breast Cancer Now with every membership received.

If you’ve ever fluffed your way through a speed dating intro (guilty as charged), you’ll know how brutal 60 seconds can be. And guess what? Pitching your business is no different. If you can’t confidently explain what you do in under a minute, you're letting potential customers walk away without a second thought.

In this episode, we’re ditching corporate jargon and getting straight to the heart of it. I’m sharing my no-nonsense, 5-step formula to help you craft a killer business pitch that grabs attention and actually converts.

Problem + Impact + Solution + Proof + Benefit = Your Business Pitch Gold.

By the end, you’ll be able to answer the dreaded “So, what do you do?” question with clarity and confidence. Because if you don’t know what you do, no one else will either.

Visit the Her Handmade Hustle website for help growing your business

Check out my new Pick n Mix Business Support packages to get visible, get organised and start selling handmade.

If you’re feeling too comfortable in your business, that’s a problem. Comfort zones might feel safe, but they’re the biggest roadblocks to growth. In today’s episode, we’re diving into why staying comfortable is holding you back, how to embrace discomfort as part of entrepreneurship and why constantly seeking reassurance is keeping you stuck.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take bold action—this is it.

It’s podcast day! And this episode might be the wake up call you need to answer. Particularly if you’re feeling bored, stuck and wondering if it’s too late for a woman over 40 to change things up…

Well, I’ve got news for you. Unless you’re dead - it’s never too late to reinvent your life or your business. And the fact that you’re reading this, tells me you are well and truly alive and kicking.

If you’re a dreamer, a doer or maybe you’re lying awake at night secretly Googling “how to change my life” at 2am…I hear you. I’m doing it too.

And it’s a GOOD sign. It means you are refusing to settle. You recognise that there’s something missing in your life right now and you’re not afraid to go and find it.

Whether you’re craving a career change, launching something new or just itching for a fresh start, this podcast episode is packed with practical advice (and a healthy dose of humour) on making bold moves - without losing your mind.

What You’ll Learn:

* Why reinvention is essential to help your business thrive

* The biggest myths about changing direction - and why they’re nonsense

* The key signs it’s time to shake things up in life or business

* How to start your reinvention journey without the fear of failure stopping you

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to start something new, but…” - this episode is for you. We’re breaking down why change is powerful, necessary and completely possible at any age. With plenty of laughs and relatable stories, I guarantee you’ll leave feeling fired up and ready to take action.

Who’s It For?

* Women over 40 (or anyone!) who want to pivot in life or business

* Creative entrepreneurs craving fresh ideas and new directions

* Anyone stuck in a rut and done with feeling ‘meh’

So plug me in while you grab a brew, walk the dog, clean the toilet (yes, sister - that one’s for you) and get ready to reinvent yourself, your business and your mindset.

And don’t forget to check out my new Pick ‘n’ Mix Business Support packages if you’re looking for some help making the first move to reinvent your business!

Disclaimer: Her Handmade Hustle will not be held responsible for anyone who moves to a tropical island/becomes a nun/leaves their husband after listening to this episode..

Joanne

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Running a creative business is not for the faint of heart. It’s a rollercoaster ride filled with highs, lows and a whole lot of uncertainty. After 15 years of being self-employed - and navigating two major surgeries in the last 12 months - I’ve learned that success in both business and life comes down to four essential qualities: Hunger, Humility, Hope, and Humour.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re survival skills. In this episode, I’m sharing why these four traits are crucial for navigating the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, how they’ve helped me push through challenges and how you can develop them to create a business that’s both fulfilling and sustainable. Expect real talk, personal stories (including some hilarious and heartfelt hospital moments) and plenty of inspiration to keep you moving forward.

What You’ll Learn:

Why hunger for success needs to be focused, not frantic

How humility can make you a stronger entrepreneur

The power of hope in overcoming setbacks and self-doubt

Why humour is your best tool for business survival

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever felt like giving up on your business, questioned your sanity for choosing this path or wondered how to stay motivated when things get tough - this episode is for you. You’ll leave feeling inspired, equipped with a fresh perspective and ready to tackle whatever comes next in your business journey.

Who This Episode is For:

Creative female entrepreneurs navigating the ups and downs of self-employment

Women over 40 looking to build a business that fits their life and values

Anyone who loves an honest, heartfelt and humorous take on entrepreneurship

Want More?

If you’re a paid subscriber to my Substack, you’ll get access to a special bonus podcast episode, where I guide you through practical exercises to help you develop these four essential qualities in your business. You’ll walk away with actionable steps - and some great content ideas for your social media!

Visit my website for coaching, resources & more

Hands up if you’ve ever found yourself shying away from communicating with the people who might be interested in your products or service? Are you a creative ninja, specialising in hiding behind your computer, struggling to convey your personality through your social media posts or avoiding eye contact with potential customers at a craft fair because you feel awkward and uncomfortable?

On the podcast today, I’m joined by Susan Heaton-Wright - an expert communicator (and retired opera singer!) who makes a living helping people present the best version of themselves in all of their business interactions. Whether you’re meeting people face to face at craft fairs, pitching your products in a shop you’ve always wanted to be stocked in or even just trying to get your personality across through your social media channels, Susan Heaton Wright has advice to help you do all of this.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

* The importance of communicating effectively when you run a business

* How to communicate your personality face to face and online

* Overcoming self doubt when presenting yourself to others

* Building rapport and the role of small talk techniques

* Pitching to businesses and preparation strategies

* Handling customer negotiations and valuing your work

* The importance of voice, tone and gestures in effective communication

Why You Should Listen:

I asked Susan all the questions you will want to know the answers to when it comes to communicating the best version of YOURSELF as a small business owner and really speaking to your audience. So if you want to learn some really simple techniques to make more sales by just being yourself, you’re going to want to listen to this episode!

Who This Episode Is For:

* Female entrepreneurs who lack confidence when presenting themselves and their business to their audience, both in person and online

* Women who experience self doubt when dealing with customers, particularly around valuing and pricing their work

* Anyone who shies away from putting themselves out there and stepping outside of their comfort zone

Links & Resources:

The SuperStar Communicator 30 Day Plan: to transform your business conversations for career success

10 Top Tips for Presenting

The Superstar Communicator Website

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