In this feel-good episode of How To Be A Handmade Boss, I’m joined by the lovely Fran from Born to Shop Designs – and we’re diving into how she turned hobbies like gardening, crafting and music into a heart-led clothing brand that connects people through what they love. We chat about navigating business pivots, building a brand that feels like you, and why community matters more than ever (especially when you're not a fan of working solo).

Fran also opens up about leaving behind a business that didn’t light her up, starting again with a friend and fresh purpose, and how the Handmade Business Success Academy helped shape her journey. If you’ve ever questioned whether your idea is the one, or wondered if starting over means starting from scratch – this one’s for you.

💬 Topics we cover:
• Making your business match your life (not the other way round)
• Why it's okay to leave a business that’s not working
• How hobbies can connect you to your customers – and your best friends
• The mindset shift that made all the difference
• Fran’s tip for finding your thing when you’re full of ideas

🛒 Explore Fran’s brand: bourneto.shop

✨ Before you go…

If you’re stuck staring at a blinking cursor wondering what the heck to post, or your socials just aren’t bringing in the sales, then don’t miss my free challenge: Fix Your Socials. From 11th–18th August 2025.

It’s a 5-day makeover for your handmade business content, where I’ll walk you through exactly how to improve your hooks, visuals, CTAs, consistency, and engagement so that posting feels easier and starts working for you.

🎯 Perfect for handmade businesses who want to grow without dancing, guessing, or burning out.

Sign up now at handmadebosses.com/fixmysocials and let’s make your socials finally sell the way they should.

🌟 PS: Love the podcast? Please leave a review, it helps more handmade sellers find our community and resources!

✨ Free resources: Want to move forward without paying yet?

✨ Work with us for deeper, transformative support

✨ Join my free live mini workshops on YouTube + Facebook most Mondays!

Feel like your handmade business is stuck in the same place month after month - no matter how hard you try? 😩

In this episode, we’re getting honest about why so many makers hit a plateau (even when they’re doing “all the right things”)… and what to do if that’s you right now.

You’ll learn:
🔸 The illusion of growth that keeps you treading water
🔸 The real cost of DIY-ing everything alone
🔸 Why your fear of investing might be costing you more than you think
🔸 How to know when you’re ready to get real support

Plus, I’ll walk you through the difference between two real-life paths: Sam (the hustler stuck at £200/month) and Lydia (the maker who hit her first £1k month doing less).

✨ If you’re done winging it and ready for real growth — this one’s for you.

⏳ HBSA is OPEN until 8pm tonight! Join us here → https://www.handmadebosses.com/summer
Or hop on the waitlist: https://www.handmadebosses.com/hbsawaitlist

✨ Before you go…

If you’re stuck staring at a blinking cursor wondering what the heck to post, or your socials just aren’t bringing in the sales, then don’t miss my free challenge: Fix Your Socials. From 11th–18th August 2025.

It’s a 5-day makeover for your handmade business content, where I’ll walk you through exactly how to improve your hooks, visuals, CTAs, consistency, and engagement so that posting feels easier and starts working for you.

🎯 Perfect for handmade businesses who want to grow without dancing, guessing, or burning out.

Sign up now at handmadebosses.com/fixmysocials and let’s make your socials finally sell the way they should.

🌟 PS: Love the podcast? Please leave a review, it helps more handmade sellers find our community and resources!

✨ Free resources: Want to move forward without paying yet?

✨ Work with us for deeper, transformative support

✨ Join my free live mini workshops on YouTube + Facebook most Mondays!

Ever feel like your business is all over the place? One minute you’re buzzing with ideas, and the next… totally burnt out? You’re not doing anything wrong - you’re just in a different season of business.

In this uplifting episode, I’m walking you through the 4 natural seasons your handmade business cycles through - winter, spring, summer and autumn - and exactly how to thrive in each one without forcing yourself to keep pushing all year round. You’ll learn:

🌱 What each business season feels like (and how to tell which one you’re in)

🔥 Why forcing ‘summer energy’ 24/7 leads to burnout

🧘 How to support your energy and stay aligned, no matter what phase you’re in

🧺 Real-life examples of how I simplify, reset, launch, and grow throughout the year

PLUS: I’m sharing a fun mindset reframe that’ll help you let go of the guilt when things slow down, because it’s not failure, it’s preparation. 💛

✨ Before you go…

If you’re stuck staring at a blinking cursor wondering what the heck to post, or your socials just aren’t bringing in the sales, then don’t miss my free challenge: Fix Your Socials. From 11th–18th August 2025.

It’s a 5-day makeover for your handmade business content, where I’ll walk you through exactly how to improve your hooks, visuals, CTAs, consistency, and engagement so that posting feels easier and starts working for you.

🎯 Perfect for handmade businesses who want to grow without dancing, guessing, or burning out.

Sign up now at handmadebosses.com/fixmysocials and let’s make your socials finally sell the way they should.

🌟 PS: Love the podcast? Please leave a review, it helps more handmade sellers find our community and resources!

✨ Free resources: Want to move forward without paying yet?

✨ Work with us for deeper, transformative support

✨ Join my free live mini workshops on YouTube + Facebook most Mondays!