the best way to start a craft business

Have you been Googling “best way to start a craft business”?

Or maybe “how to start a crafting business”?

Or "steps to starting a craft business"?

I get it. But let me stop you right there.

Our brains are wired to look for quick fixes. Especially when the problem is big, messy, and complicated*.

Marketers know this. Oh boy, do they know this.

That’s why it’s so easy to get lured into “proven systems” and “plug-and-play business templates.”

And sure, there are quick fixes for some things. Like when you're craving a new knitting project and all you’ve got is a random pile of leftover yarns, you can just pop into a nearby yarn store and grab something that matches.

But building a business? That’s not just another weekend project.

It takes time. Because your situation is unique. Your resources, your relationships, your rhythms, your context—none of them are one-size-fits-all. What works for someone else might not even make sense for you.

Of course, knitting a sweater, even with ready-made instructions, can be a more complex problem than one might first think (and it is the designer's job to reduce this complexity). However, building a business requires a larger investment and involves making choices that have a broader impact on your life.

Maybe this fact tells something about this problem:

“Notably, 12.2% of respondents have not yet identified a clear goal for their craft practice or business.”(Crafts Council Makers’ Survey Report 2025)

So no, there’s no universal shortcut to a working business model.

Following someone else’s exact formula might lead you to a place that feels... alien. Maybe even like a trap.

For example, you could build a six- or seven-figure online shop selling handmade goods with the help of some craft coaches. If money is your primary driver, cool. That path might suit you just fine.

But if you want to keep the joy of making things with your hands... You might not find it in that kind of hustle. Because suddenly, you’re not a maker anymore. You’re the CEO. Not a crafter.

And if your life’s priorities limit your time, maybe organic content marketing isn’t the smartest route for you.

On the flip side: If you love creating audiovisual content, why dump cash into paid ads when you could lean into social media as your marketing channel, perhaps even as your main income stream?

If you live "in the middle of nowhere", there's no way you can make a workshop business work.

"If you get on the wrong train, get off at the nearest station; the longer it takes you to get off, the more expensive the return trip will be." -Japanese proverb

The best business model for you only emerges when you look at your reality:

• How much money are you willing (or able) to invest in building your business?

• How much time can you realistically spend per day? Per week? Per year?

• What gives you energy?

• What physical needs do you have?

• What personal goals are shaping your life right now?

• What skills do you already have, and which ones do you want to learn?

• Who’s in your network?

• What matters most to you, really?

Even just figuring out a business model that fits you takes time, especially if you’re doing it alone.

Because you’ll need to understand the requirements of different models and revenue streams. What are the fundamentals. What do they demand from you. And what they offer in return. It's the invisible small print.

It took me about the length of a pregnancy to really figure mine out. Only then could I start laying the proper foundation.

Some people get there faster. Others need more time. I personally wanted to make sure I wasn’t diving headfirst into the deep end wearing someone else’s wetsuit.

Okay, truth time: I did actually spend €1000 on a business program that seemed to match my life. Spoiler: it didn’t. At all. Total mismatch. Total waste. Back to square one.

After that, I was dead set on figuring out what would really work for me: not just financially, but creatively, emotionally, and ethically.

And even after finding the right model, I had to learn how to use the tools that fit it. Which took time. A lot of time.

In addition to becoming knowledgeable about the various models and tools, it is essential for solo business owners to cultivate marketing skills. I had my Bachelor's degree in Business. However, I also wanted to have more certainty in my business, so I bought an even more expensive personal coaching program related to empathic marketing and funnels. This was the perfect match for me. And I knew I wouldn't build everything in a month or two, but I knew this would be a sustainable plan.

So yeah... Building a craft business that feels like you? Definitely not an overnight thing. Sorry.

But this free bite-sized course can help you take the first real step.

And if you’d like a second brain to think things through with: hey, we’re here. Just shoot an email, and we’ll explore the best path for you, together (hello@poeticpaths.com).

Don't worry. Give your process some time. Embrace it!

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Want to nerd out more on how we solve complex problems?

Check these out:

• How the Brain Solves Complicated Problems (MIT News)

• Daniel Kahneman: Thinking, Fast and Slow