🎧 Listen to this blog post as a Podcast instead Discover Why Leigh Calls The HBSA a "Business Hug" for Students

💙 We delve into the compelling story of handmade business 'Viva La Diva', a maverick brand known for its vibrant and unique handmade jewellery and accessories.

🚀 Leigh initially focused on creating ceramics, but as the brand grew it transitioned and incorporate a variety of different mediums, allowing for greater creative expression and reducing logistical challenges... igniting Leighs desire for creating handmade products even more.

⚡️ Discover her artisanal journey that prioritises passion over rigid plans, resulting in eclectic and lively pieces that are as unique as the creator's mood and inspiration.

👉 Links to Viva La Diva https://www.instagram.com/vivaladivauk/

👉 Mailing List https://mailchi.mp/56f0c3ce4eac/sign-up

👉 Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/vivaladivauk

From Passion to Profit: Navigating the Handmade Business Journey

Welcome back to our blog! Today, we’re diving into the vibrant world of handmade businesses, where creativity meets entrepreneurship. In this post, we’ll explore the journey of Leigh, the founder of Viva La Diva UK, who has transformed her passion for crafting into a thriving business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to elevate your handmade venture, Leigh's insights will inspire and motivate you to find your way from passion to profit.

Meet Leigh: The Creative Mind Behind Viva La Diva UK

 Leigh is a talented artisan who creates statement jewellery, accessories, and whimsical curios. Initially focused on ceramics, she found herself stuck in a production line that didn’t resonate with her creative spirit. After facing challenges with fragile curios and a desire for more colourful and humorous creations, Leigh pivoted her business to embrace whatever inspires her each day.

Inspirations and the Creative Process

Leigh draws inspiration from her rich art education and a love for diverse techniques. Here’s how she channels her creativity:

• Obsessed with Process: Leigh thrives on the creative process rather than traditional sketching.
• Learning from Others: She spends time on platforms like YouTube and Domestika, constantly seeking new techniques and ideas.
• Embracing Spontaneity: Lee creates based on her mood, allowing her creativity to flow freely.

The Importance of Colour and Humour in Handmade Creations

For Leigh, colour and humour are essential elements of her work. She aims to create pieces that stand out and reflect her unique personality. Her ideal customer is someone who appreciates individuality and seeks quirky, eye-catching accessories.

Defining the Ideal Customer

Leigh describes her ideal customer as someone akin to pop icons like Becky Hill or Dua Lipa—quirky individuals who want to express their uniqueness through fashion. This understanding of her target audience helps Lee tailor her creations to meet their desires.

Joining the Handmade Bosses Community

Leigh’s journey took a significant turn when she discovered Handmade Bosses. Initially hesitant, she found herself drawn to the supportive community and valuable resources. Here’s what she gained from her experience:

• Feeling Safe and Supported: The community provides a sense of belonging and encouragement.
• Structured Learning: With a focus on manageable tasks, Leigh found that dedicating just 30 minutes a day to her business made a huge difference.
• Business Clarity: The program helped her navigate the complexities of running a handmade business, from Etsy management to website building.

The Impact of Handmade Business on Life

Leigh reflects on how her handmade business has transformed her life. Here are some key takeaways:

• Unemployable Mindset: After experiencing the challenges of traditional employment, Leigh embraces her self-employed status.
• Creative Freedom: She enjoys the flexibility to create and manage her business on her terms.
• Future Aspirations: Lee envisions her business thriving, with goals to earn a substantial income and expand her presence at festivals.

Embrace Your Creative Journey

Leigh’s story is a testament to the power of following your passion and embracing creativity in business. If you’re considering starting your own handmade venture or looking to reinvigorate your existing one, remember these key points:

• Stay True to Your Creative Spirit: Don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working for you.
• Find Your Community: Seek out supportive networks that can guide and inspire you.
• Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you and take actionable steps toward it.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the handmade business world! Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and tips on how to thrive as a handmade entrepreneur. Remember, the world needs your unique creations!

Love Steph xox

🥳 Do you want to learn more? 🥳 

We’ve got loads of resources to help you scale your handmade business:

1️⃣ ✨Are you starting a new business? Here's my best resources:👉 Start here  🏃

2️⃣ ✨Want to be visible and get more traffic? Here's my recommendations: 👉Get seen👀

3️⃣ ✨Ready to grow your business? Here's your to-do list: 👉 Grow here 📈

👇🏻👇🏻 Choose your own adventure with these resources 👇🏻👇🏻

✨ My book “how to be a handmade boss” is like a super intensive course on getting your first sales (plus, it’s a book/workbook hybrid!) 👉  Find out more here

✨ The Shop Doctor - Shop not doing so great? Getting views but no sales? No views at all? Overwhelmed with it all? Check out the shop doctor: 👉 Join here

✨ My FREE masterclass on how to increase your Etsy conversion rate. It's the KEY thing most Etsy sellers miss when trying to make more money and get more sales in 7 days. 👉 Join here

✨ Chart-topping podcast it's an unfiltered and honest view about what it takes to grow a handmade business 🎧 Whether you’re a complete beginner on Etsy, or want to scale your handmade business to multi-6 figures, the “How To Be A Handmade Boss” podcast gives you actionable advice and workshop style episodes to grow your handmade business on Etsy, your own website and beyond  👉 Listen here

✨ Our Monday Momentum Lives You'll find me in my Facebook group most Mondays for coffee chats & mini workshops to help you make more money from your handmade business! You can see our upcoming events here: 👉 See future events here

✨Our YouTube channel is full of hundreds of super informative videos, with help and advice you can put into action straight away .📺

✨ More Blog Posts - Don't forget to check out more blog posts from Handmade Bosses 🖥️

✨  Instagram is where you need to be for top tips, and behind the scenes sneak peeks into how I run my 6 figure business 💙 Be sure to follow us for announcements of new videos, workshops, content and more.