Lessons Learned from Starting a Handmade Business: Tips for Aspiring Creators
Starting a handmade business is one of the most exciting yet challenging ventures you can take on. When I began my journey with Minted Oak Designs (MOD), I had no idea how much I would learn—not just about running a business, but about myself as a creator, entrepreneur, and problem-solver. Along the way, I’ve discovered strategies that work, made plenty of mistakes, and celebrated small wins that felt like giant leaps. If you’re an aspiring creator dreaming of starting your own handmade business, these lessons might help you navigate your own path.
1. Start with What You Love
Your business should be rooted in your passions. For me, designing handmade hair bows and other products was a way to bring together my love for surface pattern design and crafting. Doing what you love not only makes the hard work feel worthwhile, but it also shines through in the quality of your products and the story your brand tells.
Tip: Reflect on what inspires you and what you’re truly excited to create. Build your business around that.
2. Find Your Niche
In the crowded world of handmade products, having a niche can help you stand out. For MOD, that meant creating bows with hand-drawn designs that told a story. It’s easy to feel like you have to cater to everyone, but focusing on a specific audience allows you to connect with customers who truly appreciate your work.
Tip: Think about what makes your products unique. What special value do you bring to your customers that no one else does?
3. Pricing Is Key
One of the hardest lessons I learned was figuring out how to price my products. It’s tempting to undervalue your work to attract customers, but fair pricing ensures your business is sustainable.
Tip: Use a pricing formula that considers your costs, desired profit, and the market value of similar products.
4. Build an Organized System Early
As your business grows, so will the complexity of managing it. From tracking inventory to managing orders and finances, having systems in place has been a lifesaver for me. I created spreadsheets to track product details, materials, and costs, which helped me stay organized and make informed decisions.
5. Invest in Quality
Quality matters, especially in the handmade market. I’ve always prioritized using premium materials for my products, from high-quality fabrics to thoughtful packaging. This commitment to quality helps build trust.
6. Embrace Challenges as Opportunities
Every mistake I’ve made along the way has taught me something valuable. Whether it was dealing with supply issues or learning new tools, challenges have pushed me to grow. Running MOD has been a constant process of trial, error, and improvement.
View setbacks as opportunities to learn. Stay flexible and open to adapting your approach.
7. Community Is Everything
I’ve discovered the importance of building a supportive community, whether it’s connecting with fellow creators or engaging with my customers. Encouraging feedback, collaborations, and conversations has been both rewarding and essential for growth.
8. Start Before You Feel Ready
There’s no perfect time to start. When I launched MOD, I didn’t have everything figured out, but taking that first step allowed me to learn and grow along the way. The most important thing is to start and adjust as you go.
Tip: Begin with what you have and trust that you’ll figure out the rest. The journey is as important as the destination.
Starting a handmade business is a rollercoaster of emotions, but it’s one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had. Minted Oak Designs has been a labor of love, and I’m proud of how far it’s come. If you’re thinking about starting your own handmade business, remember that every step—no matter how small—is progress. You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just need the courage to begin.
Your dreams are worth chasing, and the world is waiting for your unique creations. So take that leap—you’ve got this!