“Why Ads Won’t Save Your Business”

In this episode of The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of Making Things, Paul dives deep into one of the hottest topics in the maker business world: advertising. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s time to start running ads—or if ads are even the right move for your business—this episode is for you.Paul breaks down why most makers aren’t ready to run ads yet, and why that’s totally okay. He shares lessons from his own journey of growing Philadelphia Table Company to nearly $800K in revenue before ever running a serious ad campaign. Learn how mastering sales, branding, and lead generation without ads can build a stronger, more sustainable foundation for your business.Then, for those who are ready, Paul opens up about how he’s currently running ads—including Meta vs. Google strategies, form funnels, pre-qualifying leads, and why imagery and brand positioning matter more than ever.This is a real, honest look at ads for handcrafted businesses—no fluff, no gimmicks, just what actually works (and what doesn’t).Join the Network