Academy of Handmade

In early 2016 I was facing burnout with Maker's Nation, largely due to the fact that I was working on it solo and pro bono—it was always getting sidelined by paid work and other priorities. In June, Sharon Fain, founder of Academy of Handmade (a sister organization to Maker's Nation offering similar programs), contacted me seeking a business partner that could help her take her community to the next level. I jumped at the chance! We spent the following six months planning, strategizing, and scheming, and made the official announcement at the turn of 2017.

Originally I focused on local chapter leadership and growth, but as we shifted our business model and explored new channels, I ended up hosting 58 episodes of the Your Handmade Business podcast and co-hosting as many weekly video broadcasts with Sharon called YHBTV. I've found in Sharon a trusted partner and friend, and together we were able to renew our energy for serving the handmade community and helping maker businesses thrive.

As the online educational space shifted and our own community grew out of our programs, we decided to shutter the doors to Academy of Handmade at the end of 2018.