34: From Hot Mess to Business Success: The Power of Systems

Indie Made Business: A Podcast for Creative Entrepreneurs and Handmade Business Owners

Feeling overwhelmed by all the moving parts in your handmade business? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the systems and processes that took me from chaos to control. I’ll share the hard lessons I learned (so you don’t have to), how I stopped feeling like I was constantly playing catch-up, and why systems—not just hustle—are the real secret to business success.

You'll learn: ✅ The key difference between systems and processes (and why you need both) ✅ How I fixed one major bottleneck that was draining my time and energy ✅ The step-by-step framework to streamline your business, reduce decision fatigue, and free up your creative time

If you feel like you're constantly putting out fires and need a better way to run your business, this episode is a must-listen!

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

⏳ [01:31] - Before Systems: The Chaos of Doing Everything Yourself Before systems and processes, I was drowning in tasks, constantly reacting instead of planning. Sound familiar?

⏳ [02:20] - How I Fixed My Biggest Business Bottleneck I went from scrambling for bare yarn stock to a smooth, automated inventory system.

⏳ [05:51] - The #1 Mistake That Keeps Handmade Businesses Stuck Without systems, processes are isolated. Without processes, systems fall apart. You need both to scale successfully.

⏳ [07:29] - Beating Decision Fatigue: Why Systems Give You Mental Freedom Too many daily decisions can be exhausting. Learn how systems reduce mental clutter and keep your business running smoothly.

⏳ [12:52] - The 4-Step Framework for Building Systems That Work A breakdown of how to map out, document, and optimize the core areas of your business for efficiency.

⏳ [17:46] - Growing Pains? How to Evolve Your Systems as You Scale New level, new devil! Your systems should evolve with your business—here’s how to stay ahead of challenges.

Resources Mentioned

📌 The Effciency Formula: Systems & Processes Workbook – Get your copy here

📌 Recommended Tools for SOPs & Process Documentation:

• Scribe – A step-by-step guide generator that records your workflow and turns it into easy-to-follow visual documentation. Perfect for creating SOPs without the hassle of writing everything manually.

• Loom – A video recording tool that allows you to quickly capture screen recordings with voiceovers. Ideal for training, walkthroughs, and explaining processes in a more engaging way.

Let’s Connect!

I’d love to hear what system or process you’re working on after this episode! Are you tackling inventory, order fulfillment, or something else? DM me and let’s chat:

🌐 Website: www.indiemadebiz.com 📸 Instagram: @indiemadebiz📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/indiemadebiz

Know someone who could use less stress and more structure in their business? Share this episode with them—it could be exactly what they need to hear!