🎧 Listen to this blog post as a Podcast instead #78 - Stop Comparing Your Handmade Business to Others (and Do This Instead)

Ever find yourself doomscrolling through Instagram wondering why that handmade shop has more sales, more followers, or just seems further ahead?

In this episode, we’re flipping the comparison trap on its head.

You’ll learn how to:
• Spot the “highlight reel” trap before it derails your momentum
• Turn jealousy into a learning tool (without copying a single thing!)
• Set healthy boundaries around competitor stalking 😉
• Track YOUR growth (not theirs) and build a business that feels good to you

Whether you’re a part-time maker or dreaming of full-time freedom, this episode is your pep talk and practical guide to staying focused on your path – not someone else’s.

📓 Grab a pen – there are actionable tips and mindset shifts you can start using today.

Stop Comparing Your Handmade Business to Others (and What to Do Instead)

Ever had one of those moments where you’re scrolling Instagram, spot another maker’s shop, and suddenly feel like you’re light-years behind?

You go from “Ooh, I love what I’m working on right now” to “Why am I even bothering?”… all in the space of two minutes.

Yep. It’s real. And it’s one of the fastest ways to lose momentum in your handmade business.

But here’s the truth - comparison is a signal, not a stop sign.

And in today’s blog, I want to show you exactly how to flip that comparison spiral into something that fuels your business instead of draining it.

Let’s get into it 👇

1. Notice the Highlight Reel Trap 🎞️

When you’re scrolling Etsy or Instagram, what you’re seeing is the best bits. Curated wins. Great lighting. Highlight reels.

You’re not seeing:

• The 20 failed product launches before one went viral

• The 2am packing sessions

• The unsold stock sitting in their garage

• The fact they’ve been doing this for 10 years… not 10 months

It’s like trying on an outfit that looked amazing on the Abercrombie mannequin and wondering why it doesn’t fit the same. The mannequin is designed to look a certain way. Your journey isn’t.

Action Step: 

→ Start a comparison diet. Check competitor shops once a week (max), not daily.

→ Use that time to connect with your audience - reply to comments, post something new, or do a mini product photo refresh.

And if your feed keeps showing you the same handful of “successful makers”? Click the little three dots in the corner and choose “Hide” or “Not Interested.” You can tell the algorithm to stop feeding the spiral.

2. Turn Jealousy Into a Clue 🕵️‍♀️

That little twinge of “ugh, I wish my shop looked like that” is actually a breadcrumb.

Instead of shaming yourself for feeling it, ask:

✨ What exactly am I vibing with here? 

Is it the clean product photos?

Their packaging?

The way they write their captions?

Once you spot what’s making you feel a certain way, you can borrow the idea, not the identity.

Example:

You love how another jewellery seller’s feed looks super polished - turns out it’s because they always use natural light and consistent props. So you block out a Saturday morning each week to shoot your products in morning light and invest in two props you love.

Boom - inspiration turned into action. No copying required.

Action Step: 

→ Start a “Swipe File” in your Notes app or journal.

→ Every time something stirs a bit of envy, write down what you liked and why.

→ This becomes a creative springboard, not a source of shame.

3. Remember: Your Timeline Is Supposed to Be Different ⏳

Your business isn’t like anyone else’s.

You might be part-time, or working around your kids, or selling a higher-priced item with a longer sales cycle. All of that affects your pace and that’s okay.

Comparing your Year 1 to someone’s Year 7 is like planting an apple seed and then wondering why it doesn’t look like your neighbour’s 20-year-old fruit tree.

Growth takes time. And slower growth often means more sustainability:

• You get to build strong relationships with your customers

• Test new designs without the pressure

• Refine things like SEO, product listings, packaging, and photos behind the scenes

Action Step: 

→ Write down your top 3 business priorities for the next 90 days

→ Track your progress - not someone else’s

→ Your main competition is your past self, not another handmade shop

Meet Sam and Lydia… Who Do You Want to Be?

Let’s break this down:

Sam scrolls Instagram daily. She tweaks her listings based on what others are doing. She’s constantly changing direction, trying to “catch up.”

Her shop feels messy, inconsistent, and honestly… exhausting.

Lydia scrolls intentionally. She keeps a swipe file of what inspires her but spends 90% of her energy creating, posting, and serving her customers.

Her shop feels clear, confident, and full of momentum.

No judgment here, but you get to choose who you want to show up as this week.

Your Mini Homework 📚

• ✅ Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger unhelpful comparison

• ✅ Start your swipe file (Notes app, Google Doc, or physical notebook)

• ✅ Set a “comparison budget” - maybe 15 minutes max on Fridays

• ✅ Check in weekly with your progress, not theirs

Keep going toward your handmade business goals boss, because the world really does need those special creations only you can make. 

Steph xox