The business side of having a handmade business!

Handmade Business Academy

Confidently build and grow a profitable online business for your handmade craft.

Go from feeling stressed and confused

from everything you need to do in your craft business

and figuring out what the right choices to make are,…

to building and growing a profitable online business for your handmade craft.

In this 8 week online course you’ll learn how to confidently build and grow your business online for successful selling to a growing audience with strategic and actionable strategies for success.

Get back more time freedom to spend with those you love doing what you love!

Before I tell your all about this program, let’s make sure you’re a good fit.

You are right for Handmade Business Academy if you want to create a profitable handmade business that gives you the time freedom to do what you love with those you love.

Handmade Business Academy is right for you if you want to build a business on your terms. One were you don’t have to be at every weekend market to make money, you get to choose! In the knowledge that your business is thriving online to a growing audience who loves your work.

If you are…

A handmade artisan, designer-maker, crafter or artist who’s looking to grow and build a profitable business online from your creative talents.

A crafter who’s been in the trenches and getting less than ideal results from all your efforts, and you’re now looking to up-level your business skills and have a solid framework to grow your craft business.

A budding handmade entrepreneur who knows that investing in yourself and your knowledge will help build your craft business the right way.

A 9-5er who no longer wants to return to the corporate world. You have a creative passion you want to embrace so you can live the life you want and spend precious time with those you love whilst also making an income from your creative talents.

You’re in the right place!

Handmade Business Academy will give you the tools, strategies, inspiration, confidence, and support to build and grow a profitable handmade business online.

One that lets you work when you want and gives you the time freedom to do what you love with those you love.

By the end of this program you will have…

  • Created a vision and 1 year big picture view with actionable steps to get you there.

  • Created a cohesive brand vision and style, nailed your brand story and identified your ideal customer.

  • Identified your signature style or are working on it, have the story behind your pieces and are pricing them for profit.

  • A strategy and framework for building your website and developed engaging on brand content for it.

  • Mapped out a strategic marketing plan inline with your goals building relationships and trust with your customers.

  • Confidence in moving your business forward and selling online for continual growth.

HOLD ON … HAVE WE OFFICIALLY MET ?

Hi, I’m Sarah Kavanagh

Your guide, and the founder of The Designer Maker Coach.

I wish I had known what I know now back when I was starting and growing my own handmade business 15 years ago!

It’s a long journey when you’re growing a handmade business and as a solo entrepreneur you’re taking on all the tasks and spinning all the plates in search of creating a life and business that you love.

I’m not going to lie, it’s not easy, not every day as a maker is good. But … and here’s what I wish I’d known sooner, having systems and strategies for your business, having a vision for the direction you want your business to go in, and mentors to learn from and guide you whilst you grow really does make a world of difference.

I live in the UK and have been a designer-maker of fine jewellery for over 15 years. I’m also wife to a photographer and mother to two young children and two slightly mad dogs.

Alongside my jewellery business I’m also an educator, sharing my knowledge, experiences, and tried and tested strategies as a handmade business entrepreneur.

With my 15 years of practiced experience I’m here to simplify building and growing a creative business, in particular growing it online, with less overwhelm and more confidence. So that you can have a long and fruitful handmade business and a life you love

Kind words from some of my handmade business clients.

Comments like these mean so much and are what having a long and fruitful craft business are all about. Sharing your unique creativity with the world and bringing joy to others through your work.

  • Just to let you know that I asked Fran on Friday and she said yes.

    She absolutely adores the ring, and loves the story behind it. She received the booklet today as well, she can’t put it down! It’s such a lovely addition that we both really appreciate. 

    Thank you so very much for all your hard work and cooperation over these last few months. You really have made the most wonderful ring for my fiancée, and for that you have my deepest gratitude.  I wish you the very best for the future, take care.

    Kindest Regards,

    James 

  • Sarah is excellent at what she does, and I can't recommend her highly enough!

    She immediately translated what I thought I wanted into a creative design we love. The output is one-of-a-kind, has a unique story, and has her handmade care behind it.

    I love that this ring was created just for me. It's simple, elegant, and delicate - and ethical too. I couldn't have designed a more 'me' ring!

    Thank you Sarah, I'm looking forward to working with you again soon.

    Molly & Jonty

  • My experience of working with Sarah has been flawless and joyous from start to finish.

    In my experience, there are few designers that maintain such high ethical standards whilst also creating beautiful jewellery. It was for this reason that I sought out the services of Sarah to help me design an engagement ring for my future wife. 

    As part of the design process, Sarah took on board all my scattergun ideas whilst also seeking to understand the person she was ultimately designing the piece for. The result was a design that so perfectly fitted with my expectations and also went beyond what I thought possible to achieve. 

    Johnny S

What’s Inside Handmade Business Academy

Week 1:

Setting up for success

  • Success mindset and determining YOUR version of success.

  • Creating your 1-year big picture view and your big goals.

  • Creating a 90 day action plan to make those ‘year from now’ big goals actually happen.

  • A deep dive into routines and habits and why they’re important for your success.

Week 2:

From inspiration to market success

  • Crafting your signature style.

  • Finding and nurturing your inspiration and developing your signature style.

  • Collection and product development.

  • The importance of the story behind your work.

  • Pricing for profit and market positioning.

Week 3:

Crafting your brand - from vision to voice

  • Identifying your ideal customer.

  • Creating your brand vision and style.

  • Brand imagery and photography.

  • Brand positioning and pricing.

  • Storytelling and writing copy for your brand,

Week 4:

Implementation Week

We’ve covered a lot, so take extra time this week to work on what we’ve covered so far.

Week 5:

Building your online presence - own website - your storefront

  • The advantages of having your own website over online market places

  • The anatomy of your home page

  • Crafting your about page - what you should and shouldn’t include.

  • Writing product descriptions that sell.

  • Checkout pages and capturing payment for your work.

  • Essential pages for selling online. From FAQ’s and your returns process to your privacy policy.

  • Shopify walk-though and why I love Shopify for your website platform.

Week 6:

Marketing for success - crafting your digital presence

  • Email marketing and why it’s crucial to your handmade business success.

  • Social media marketing and building the know, like, and trust factor.

  • Using AI, like ChatGPT to assist with your marketing and content generation.

  • Press and online media relationships to build brand awareness.

  • Selling face to face and maximising your time at craft fairs and markets.

  • SEO and copywriting

  • Creating your actionable 90 day marketing plan

Week 7:

Crafting your future - growth strategies and beyond.

  • Nurturing your customers and how to get raving reviews.

  • Seasonal marketing strategies

  • Virtual one off sales and online trunk shows.

  • Selling on other online market places.

  • Selling add on products and making pajama profits!

Week 8:

Implementation Week

Our final week - we’ve covered a lot over the last 7 weeks. Use this week to work on what we’ve covered.

Frequently Asked Questions…

  • The Handmade Business Academy is open to anyone who is looking to build or grow a handmade business, in particular to build and grow online.

    if you want to create a profitable handmade business that gives you the time freedom to do what you love with those you love, then this course is for you.

  • The 8 week course starts on the 23rd September 2024. One module will be released each week except for the two implementation weeks. Each week there will also be a live Q&A session held through zoom. These will be recorded if you are unable to attend live.

  • Yes, there is the option when joining the course to pay in 6 monthly instalments. Please select this option on the checkout page.

  • When you purchase the course you will receive a confirmation email with details to create an account with a password. You can then sign in to the course page. Module 1 is released on Monday 23 September, before then you will be able to view the welcome video from Sarah.

  • Yes absolutely, you’re part of the HBA community! You will be sent regular emails to let you know when each module is live and to give you the details for logging into the zoom calls.

  • If you ever feel stuck please send me a question and I will try and answer it during our live Q&A’s or via email.

    Go at your own pace and don’t ever feel like you have to rush through. Remember you have life time access to the course and any updates I make to it.

I can’t wait to meet you on the inside…

VIDEO COACHING, WORKBOOKS, CHEATSHEETS, TEMPLATES & TOOLS

LIVE WEEKLY Q&A’S WITH SARAH