The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Paul Mencel
33 episodes
2 days ago
Join the Network Summary: In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on how he actually hires at Philadelphia Table Company—what’s worked, what’s burned him, and how he’s refined the process as the team has grown to 10+ people. He talks about why “greatness is in the agency of others,” why waiting too long to hire can hold your whole business back, and how to know when it’s time to bring someone new into the shop or office. From vetting true self-starters to using 30/60/90-day check-ins and...
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Join the Network Summary: In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on how he actually hires at Philadelphia Table Company—what’s worked, what’s burned him, and how he’s refined the process as the team has grown to 10+ people. He talks about why “greatness is in the agency of others,” why waiting too long to hire can hold your whole business back, and how to know when it’s time to bring someone new into the shop or office. From vetting true self-starters to using 30/60/90-day check-ins and...
Office Hours: Scaling Beyond Etsy, Holding the Line on Price, and Making Time for Systems
The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
29 minutes
3 months ago
Office Hours: Scaling Beyond Etsy, Holding the Line on Price, and Making Time for Systems
In this Office Hours edition, Paul answers four thoughtful listener questions covering key transitions in growing a handcrafted business. He dives into why he chose to scale beyond Etsy and the personal turning point that pushed him to hire and systematize. He shares his mindset around luxury pricing—why negotiating can erode brand value and how to communicate your worth clearly to clients. Paul also offers practical advice on carving out time to build systems while still buried in day-to-day...
The Handcrafted Podcast: The Business of making things
Join the Network Summary: In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on how he actually hires at Philadelphia Table Company—what’s worked, what’s burned him, and how he’s refined the process as the team has grown to 10+ people. He talks about why “greatness is in the agency of others,” why waiting too long to hire can hold your whole business back, and how to know when it’s time to bring someone new into the shop or office. From vetting true self-starters to using 30/60/90-day check-ins and...
