What Your Numbers Can Teach You About Growing Your Craft Business
Because Your Sales, Expenses, and Trends Are Speaking—Are You Listening?
If hearing “track your numbers” makes you wanna roll your eyes or run away…
I feel you.
You didn’t start your handmade business to become an accountant.
But here’s the truth:
Your numbers are one of the most powerful tools you have to grow your business.
Not because you need to be a spreadsheet expert.
But because your numbers tell you what’s working, what’s draining you, and where the real opportunities are.
Let’s break down exactly what you can learn from your business finances—and how to use that info to make smart, strategic moves in your craft biz.
1. Your Best Sellers Tell You Where to Focus
Look at:
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Which product(s) sell most often
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Which ones bring in the highest profit, not just the most revenue
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What categories or styles your customers come back for
💡 If you know what people actually want, you can:
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Double down on those designs
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Make variations or limited editions
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Use them as lead products in bundles, promotions, or ads
Focus creates momentum. You don’t have to do everything—just what’s working.
2. Your Slow Sellers Show You What to Stop (or Adjust)
If something hasn’t sold in 3+ months, it’s time to pause and ask:
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Is it priced right?
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Is the product description clear?
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Do the photos represent it well?
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Do I still love making this?
💡 Decisions you can make:
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Discontinue low-performers
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Update the listing with better photos or copy
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Bundle it with a best-seller to move it faster
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Use the feedback to shape new ideas that land better
Data isn’t judgment—it’s direction. Let it guide you without guilt.
3. Your Monthly Revenue Patterns Show You When to Launch
Check your sales from the past 6–12 months:
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Are there slow months or seasons?
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Did certain holidays (Mother’s Day, Christmas, Juneteenth, etc.) bring a spike?
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What weeks were unexpectedly strong?
💡 Use this info to:
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Plan new product drops around proven busy times
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Launch earlier (and with more lead-up)
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Prepare stock in advance so you’re not scrambling
Sales have rhythm. When you know the beat, you can dance ahead of it.
4. Your Profit Margins Show You If You’re Charging Enough
Look at your product pricing and calculate:
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Materials + time + overhead = actual cost
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Subtract from your sale price = profit
If your profit is slim, ask:
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Can I raise prices slightly without losing customers?
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Can I batch or streamline to reduce labor costs?
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Can I upsell or cross-sell to increase order value?
💡 Little shifts = big impact.
Don’t be afraid to adjust. You’re not being greedy—you’re building sustainability.
5. Your Expenses Show You Where You’re Leaking Money
If you’ve been tracking your expenses (or even just reviewing bank statements), check:
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Where am I spending the most?
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What subscriptions or tools am I barely using?
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What’s actually bringing a return on investment?
💡 You might learn:
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You’re spending too much on packaging that isn’t raising perceived value
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You can swap out expensive tools for free or cheaper options
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You have room to invest more in something that’s already working (like email or pro photos)
Cut what’s not serving. Reinforce what is. That’s how we grow intentionally.
Action Step: Do a Monthly “Money Check-In”
Once a month, sit down with your numbers and ask:
✅ What product(s) sold best this month?
✅ What product(s) didn’t move?
✅ What did I spend money on—and was it worth it?
✅ Did I pay myself?
✅ What’s one small shift I can make next month?
You don’t need a full audit. You just need awareness.
That’s where clarity (and confidence) begins.
You Can Make Smarter Decisions—One Number at a Time
Your numbers aren’t just receipts.
They’re information.
They’re giving you feedback, showing you patterns, whispering hints like,
“Hey—do more of this. Maybe let that go.”
You don’t have to guess your way to growth.
You can track your way there—with peace, purpose, and the wisdom of your own data.