Sales First: How I Broke the $1M Barrier Without Ads

In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast, Paul dives into one of the most overlooked yet essential parts of running a successful maker business: sales. He uses the metaphor of a train needing a push to leave the station—no matter how polished or beautiful it is, it won’t move without sales.Paul challenges makers to treat sales like a daily discipline, just like honing their craft. He shares personal stories from his early days, including walking his South Philly neighborhood to find potential clients and how grassroots efforts helped him break through revenue plateaus. He also emphasizes building a network effect, showing up “open for business” in everyday conversations, and leveraging relationships in your community to drive growth.He reminds listeners that it's not about being pushy—it's about building relationships, asking good questions, and listening. Sales isn't sleazy when you're offering something you truly believe in.The biggest takeaway? Craft alone won’t get your business to the golden city—consistent, intentional sales will.Join the Network