How I Built a Handmade Business
When I started MONOLISA, I wasn't looking for hundreds of articles, videos, and complicated business advice. I simply wanted a step-by-step overview from someone who had actually built a handmade business.
As a neurodivergent artist, I created systems, checklists, and repeatable processes whenever possible. This roadmap reflects not only the steps I took, but also the systems that helped me manage and grow the business over time.
This page shares the steps, lessons, and resources that helped me grow MONOLISA from a new handmade business into an established brand. It isn't intended to replace the research, learning, and experimentation that every business owner must do along the way. Instead, think of it as a starting point—a practical roadmap designed to help artists and makers understand the bigger picture and navigate their own journey with greater clarity and confidence.
Started My Business
Established a basic business foundation for MONOLISA.
- Registered my business
- Purchased a domain name
- Opened a business bank account
- Set up QuickBooks
- Created a simple online presence
Started Building My Brand
Developed my first MONOLISA collection and online presence.
- Handmade my first collection
- Learned how to do my own product photos
- Gradually built my website
- Established pricing structure
Tested My Products in the Real World
I knew I had to start selling if I wanted to build a real business.
- Tested the market by applying to several art shows throughout the year
- Created an appealing booth setup
- Learned how to use Shopify POS for art shows
- Engaged with customers at all the shows
- Observed how people responded to my work
Built a Monthly Newsletter
From the first day I started selling MONOLISA, I collected customer emails so I could stay connected beyond the art show booth.
- Collected emails at shows from purchasing customers and interested visitors
- Set up my newsletter in Mailchimp
- Sent one newsletter email per month
- Shared new work, show updates, and behind-the-scenes studio news
- Built a repeatable system for staying connected with customers
Built an Ongoing Website Presence
My website became the hub connecting art shows, newsletters, social media, and online sales.
- Expanded my website over time
- Built systems that made updates faster and easier over time
- Added collection pages
- Improved product photography
- Created educational content
- Published my art show and festival schedule
Created Helpful Content
Rather than only selling products, I created resources that answered questions customers were already asking.
- Published educational articles
- Created gemstone guides
- Built art show directories
- Shared my artist journey and experiences
- Answered common customer questions
Continued Improving My Products
Customer feedback helped shape new collections, materials, and product ideas.
- Continuously learned new skills
- Expanded product collections
- Introduced new materials
- Refined designs
- Improved quality and presentation
Focused on What Worked
Over time I learned that growth comes from improving the things that consistently deliver value.
- Analyzed what customers responded to
- Refined my marketing efforts
- Focused on repeat customers
- Built systems and checklists to save time and stay organized
- Created repeatable processes instead of reinventing tasks
- Continued learning and adapting
Learned Through 200+ Art Shows & Festivals
Nothing accelerated my learning more than selling face-to-face with customers. Art shows became my classroom, helping me test ideas, improve my work, and better understand what customers valued.
- Participated in over 200 California art shows and festivals
- Learned directly from customer feedback and buying habits
- Refined booth displays, pricing, and product presentation
- Built relationships with collectors and repeat customers
- Developed show systems, checklists, and logistics processes
Things I Would Think About Before Starting a Handmade Business
These aren't necessarily mistakes. They are decisions I would think through more carefully if I were starting a handmade business from scratch today.
Business Phone Number
In the beginning, I had a dedicated business phone number because I thought it would make the business feel more official.
What I would do today: Start with a contact form and business email, then only add a phone number if there is a clear reason.
Quality Equipment
Buying cheap tools, displays, storage, or show equipment can cost more over time if items need to be replaced.
What I would do today: Buy fewer things, but choose better-quality tools and equipment that can last.
Transportation
Products, displays, packaging, tables, and booth equipment all need to fit somewhere and be manageable.
Questions to ask: Can I transport this safely, set it up repeatedly, and manage it without making the business harder?
Real Customer Feedback
Selling in person taught me things I could not have learned by only working in the studio.
What I would do today: Test ideas with real customers before investing too much time, money, or inventory into one direction.
Why I Created This Free Resource
I created this page as a way to give back to the artist and handmade business community. When I was starting MONOLISA, I would have appreciated a simple roadmap from someone who had actually built a handmade business through real shows, real customers, real mistakes, and real learning.
This resource is free because I believe practical experience should be shared. Every artist still has to do their own research, make decisions, test ideas, and learn through experience, but sometimes having a clear starting point can make the process feel less overwhelming.
I have also been navigating ongoing health challenges, and working on helpful resources like this gives me something positive and meaningful to focus on while continuing to support creativity, small business, and the handmade community.
