So, you've been making something you love, your friends and family keep telling you that you should sell it, and you're starting to wonder whether your little creative hobby could actually become a business.
First of all, how exciting is that?!
Whether you're making candles in your kitchen, designing jewellery after work, creating art prints or experimenting with ceramics, there's something pretty special about realizing that the thing you genuinely enjoy doing might also be something other people would happily pay for.
But we also know that turning a hobby into a business can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you start thinking about pricing, packaging, marketing and where you're actually going to sell your products.
The good news is that you don't need to have everything figured out before you get started, and you definitely don't need a massive budget, thousands of social media followers or a perfectly curated brand to build something worthwhile.
At Shop Makers, we've had the privilege of working with independent artisans and small business owners from all across Canada, and one thing we've learned is that every business starts somewhere.
So, if you've been thinking about taking that next step, here are a few things worth knowing about starting your own handmade business in Canada.
1. Start with something you genuinely love making
This might sound obvious, but before you get caught up in logos, websites and Instagram handles, it's worth spending a little time thinking about what you actually want to create.
Maybe you already have a product that friends are constantly asking you to make for them, or perhaps you're still experimenting with a few different ideas and figuring out what feels right.
Either way, we'd encourage you to start with something you genuinely enjoy, because when you're running a handmade business, chances are you'll be making that product quite a lot!
It's also worth considering what makes your work a little different, whether that's your design style, the materials you use, your sense of humour or the inspiration behind what you're creating.
You don't need to invent something that's never existed before, but having a clear idea of what makes your products yours will help you build a brand that people can connect with.
2. Figure out who you're making your products for
One of the biggest shifts that happens when you turn a hobby into a business is realizing that you're no longer just making things you love, you're making things that other people will hopefully want to buy too.
And that's where understanding your customer becomes really important.
Think about who might be interested in your products, where they like to shop, what they tend to spend money on and why they might choose something handmade over a similar product from a larger retailer.
For example, if you're making colourful, statement earrings, your ideal customer might be someone who loves expressing themselves through fashion and is always looking for something a little different.
If you're creating handmade candles, maybe your customers are people who love decorating their homes, discovering unique scents or finding thoughtful gifts.
You don't need a detailed customer profile or an elaborate business plan right away, but having a general sense of who you're creating for can make everything from product development to marketing a whole lot easier.
3. Learn how to price your handmade products
Let's talk about something that can feel especially tricky when you're first starting out, figuring out how much to charge.
When you're making something yourself, it's easy to underestimate just how much time, effort and money goes into creating each product.
And while it can be tempting to keep your prices low because you're worried about whether people will buy, pricing your products properly is one of the most important things you can do for the long-term health of your business.
Start by understanding your actual costs, including materials, packaging, equipment, payment processing, selling fees and, of course, your time.
Then think about the profit you need to make in order for your business to be sustainable.
Remember, you're not just charging someone for a candle, a print or a pair of earrings, you're charging for the creativity, skill, labour and materials that went into bringing that product to life.
And if your goal is to eventually sell your products in retail stores, you'll also want to make sure your pricing model works for that next stage of growth.
A little reminder from us: Just because something is handmade doesn't mean it should be inexpensive, and learning to value your own work is a pretty important part of becoming a business owner.
4. Get the business basics sorted out
We know, this probably isn't the most exciting part of starting a creative business, but it's definitely worth giving some attention to early on!
Depending on where you're located in Canada and what you're planning to sell, there may be certain business registration, licensing, tax or product-specific requirements you'll need to consider.
For example, you'll want to look into whether you need to register your business name, what local permits might apply and when you may need to register for GST/HST.
Some product categories, including cosmetics, food and certain children's products, can also have additional safety, labelling or regulatory requirements.
You don't necessarily need to hire an accountant or lawyer before selling your very first product, but taking the time to understand which rules apply to your business can save you some headaches later.
The Government of Canada's business resources and your provincial or municipal government websites are good places to begin.
And trust us, future you will also appreciate having a simple system for keeping track of your expenses, sales and receipts right from the start!
5. Start selling before everything feels perfect
If there's one thing we'd encourage new makers to remember, it's that you don't need to have every single detail figured out before you start putting your products out into the world.
Your branding might evolve, your packaging might change and the products you launch with might look completely different from what you're selling a year from now.
That's normal!
Sometimes the best way to learn what customers actually want is to start selling, pay attention to their feedback and make adjustments along the way.
You could begin by sharing your products with your existing community, setting up a small online shop, participating in a local craft market or testing a limited collection to see what people respond to.
And don't be discouraged if your first launch doesn't immediately sell out, building a business takes time, and those early experiences are often where you'll learn the most.
6. Give people a reason to connect with your brand
One of the things we love most about independent businesses is that there's almost always an interesting person and story behind what they're creating.
Maybe you started making your products while on maternity leave, picked up a creative hobby during a difficult season of life, or simply couldn't find something you wanted to buy, so you decided to make it yourself.
Whatever your story looks like, don't be afraid to share it!
People love learning about the individuals behind the products they purchase, and telling your story can help make your business feel more personal and memorable.
You can do this through your product packaging, social media, website, market signage or even a simple little card that explains who you are and what inspired you to start.
It doesn't need to be a dramatic origin story or a perfectly polished brand mission, sometimes the most relatable details are the ones that help people feel connected to you.
And remember, people can't support your small business if they don't know it exists, so give yourself permission to talk about what you're creating!
7. Experiment with different ways to sell
Once you've developed your products and started getting a few sales under your belt, it's worth exploring the different ways you can get your work in front of more people.
There are so many ways to sell handmade products in Canada, and the right approach will depend on your business, your goals and how much time you have available.
Some makers love the energy of weekend markets, where they get to meet customers face-to-face and see how people respond to their products.
Others prefer selling online through their own websites or marketplaces, while some are interested in getting their products into physical retail stores.
And plenty of small businesses use a combination of all three!
The important thing is finding a sales model that actually works for you, rather than feeling pressured to be everywhere at once.
A few places to explore include:
Local craft markets: A great opportunity to meet customers, test products and get immediate feedback
Your own online store: Gives customers a place to shop your products directly
Online marketplaces: Can help introduce your products to shoppers already searching for handmade goods
Social media: A useful way to build a community and share the stories behind your business
Retail stores: Can help introduce your brand to customers who might not discover you online
Each option comes with its own costs and considerations, so start with what feels manageable and build from there.
8. Don't underestimate the power of getting your products into retail stores
One of the biggest challenges for small businesses is simply getting discovered.
You might have an incredible product, beautiful branding and a lovely little community online, but reaching new customers consistently can take a lot of work.
That's why having your products in physical retail spaces can be such an exciting next step.
It gives people the opportunity to discover your business while they're already out shopping, pick up your products, see the quality in person and hopefully find something they love.
It's also a great way to reach customers who might never have come across your Instagram page or website.
At Shop Makers, we've built our retail model around making physical retail more accessible to independent artisans and small businesses.
Our stores bring together local makers selling everything from jewellery and ceramics to home decor, artwork, candles, stationery and so much more, giving shoppers the chance to discover dozens of independent businesses all under one roof.
And something we're particularly proud of? Our artisans keep 100% of every sale they make.
For a maker who's been selling primarily online or at occasional markets, having products available in a retail setting can open up a whole new opportunity to grow brand awareness and connect with customers.
Of course, you'll still want to think about your inventory, margins, display and the costs associated with participating in any retail model, but it's absolutely worth exploring as your business develops.
9. Remember that growing a business takes time
We live in a world where it can feel like everyone is launching businesses, going viral and becoming an overnight success, but the reality is that most small businesses grow much more gradually than that.
And that's not a bad thing!
Your first market might be quiet, your first product collection might not sell quite as quickly as you'd hoped, and you might spend a fair amount of time figuring out what actually works for your business.
None of that means you're doing something wrong.
Every customer, every sale and every bit of feedback gives you more information about how to keep moving forward, and sometimes those smaller milestones are the ones worth celebrating the most.
Your first repeat customer, your first wholesale inquiry, the first time someone recognizes your brand or the moment you realize that people you've never met are buying something you created, those are pretty special experiences.
You also don't have to turn your business into a full-time career for it to be successful, sometimes having a creative outlet that brings in a little extra income and connects you with your community is exactly what you want.
There's room for all kinds of small businesses, and there's no single right way to grow one.
Ready to turn your creative hobby into something bigger?
Starting a handmade business in Canada can feel like a big leap, but so many incredible small businesses began with one person, one idea and a willingness to give it a try.
You don't need to know everything about running a business on day one, and you certainly don't need to have the whole journey mapped out before you begin.
Start with something you love, learn as you go, listen to your customers and give yourself room to grow.
And who knows, the little project you're working on at your kitchen table today might just become something much bigger than you ever imagined!
Already running a handmade business and looking for new ways to reach customers? We'd love to introduce you to Shop Makers.
We're proud to provide a space for independent artisans and small businesses to showcase their work, connect with customers and continue growing their brands.
Learn more about becoming a Shop Makers vendor and apply here.