Advertise on podcast: Her Handmade Hustle Unplugged: A Podcast Helping Independent Businesses Get Seen, Remembered and Chosen.

FAQs might not be the most exciting page on your website but they could be doing far more for your visibility than you realise. In this episode, I’m talking about why FAQs are becoming increasingly important for small business websites - not just for your customers, but for Google and AI search too. We’ll look at how answering the questions your customers are already asking can help search engines understand what you do, make your website genuinely more useful and give your business a better chance of being found and recommended online. Plus, I’ll share some simple ideas for finding the right questions to answer on your own website. 🎧 If your FAQ section is currently an afterthought (or you haven’t got one at all!), this one’s for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

What if “fake it till you make it” isn’t about being fake at all? In this episode of Her Handmade Hustle: Unplugged, I’m talking about confidence in business, backing yourself and why sometimes you have to start before you feel completely ready. And it all starts with a friend of mine who launched a gardening business during Covid despite one fairly significant detail… she wasn’t actually a gardener. But she put herself out there, found customers, learned as she went and made it work. We’re talking about the difference between being inauthentic and simply having the confidence to sell yourself, why so many small business owners downplay what they’re good at, and how waiting until you feel 100% qualified can hold you back. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, worried you’re not experienced enough or found it painfully awkward to tell people you’re actually bloody good at what you do, this one’s for you. In this episode: What “fake it till you make it” really means in business Building confidence before you feel completely ready Why we need to get better at selling ourselves Learning as you go without pretending to know everything Getting past imposter syndrome and having the nerve to just go for it Sometimes you don’t need another course, qualification or six months of overthinking. Sometimes you’ve just got to wing it. Need a bit of help getting your own business seen? I help small businesses with websites, Google visibility, SEO and straightforward marketing support — without making it all more complicated than it needs to be. Come and have a nosy at herhandmadehustle.co.uk and see how I can help. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

Ever feel like you’re permanently rushing…yet somehow STILL not getting everything done? Yep. Same! This episode starts with one particularly chaotic day involving a menopause clinic, a floor fitter, a blocked toilet (again) and approximately 47 other things I was trying to squeeze into a completely normal-sized day. Not long afterwards, I found myself sitting in a coffee shop with a matcha, attempting to answer emails and having a massive panic attack about how on earth I was going to juggle work, childcare and the six-week summer holidays. So, we’re talking about that constant feeling of being rushed - why we put so much pressure on ourselves to get everything ticked off, why sometimes there genuinely AREN’T enough hours in the day and what happens when we keep trying to shove square pegs into round holes. Whether you run a business, have kids, don’t have kids, or just regularly wonder how everyone else seems to be keeping up with life…I think you’ll relate to this one. 🎧 Grab a brew (or a matcha, if you dare) and have a listen. Need an updated or new website for your business? Find out more here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

A slightly chaotic (and very funny) change from the usual business chat! This week, my husband Dave and daughter Eden join me behind the microphone for the first-ever Pearce Podcast. Expect plenty of laughs, random tangents and a glimpse into what a typical Sunday looks like in our house. If you enjoy it, let me know... this might not be the last! 😂 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

What Toy Story 5 Taught Me About Being Human in Business I didn't expect a family trip to the cinema to leave me thinking about AI, marketing and small businesses...but here we are! In this episode, I'm sharing why Toy Story 5 struck such a chord with me, the surprising parallels between Woody, Jessie and today's business owners, and why I believe being human is becoming your biggest competitive advantage in a world that's changing faster than ever. If you've ever wondered whether AI, technology or changing customer habits are leaving your business behind, this one's for you. In this episode we chat about: Why so many business owners feel like they've been "replaced" What Toy Story 5 teaches us about purpose and staying relevant Why AI isn't the real problem The importance of personality, trust and human connection How to focus on what really makes your business valuable If you'd like some help making your business easier to find online, I'd love to help. Explore my services: https://www.herhandmadehustle.co.uk/work-with-me This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

This week's episode wasn't the one I planned to record. A trip to a shoe shop with my daughter somehow turned into helping an elderly gentleman, his dog and a trolley full of Aldi shopping get home safely. What followed got me thinking about trust, kindness, perspective and why making people feel safe might be one of the most important things we do - not just in business, but in life. In this episode I share: An unexpectedly eventful afternoon in an Aldi car park Why trust is built long before someone buys from you The connection between being a decent human and being a decent business owner I'd love to know what you think of this one! Need help becoming easier to find online? I have a handful of spaces available before I finish for the summer holidays. Whether you need help with your website, Google Business Profile, local SEO, newsletters or simply figuring out how to get your business in front of more of the right people, I'd love to help. Book a free 30 min call here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

Ever wondered whether the way you show up in your relationships might be exactly the way you show up in your business? In this slightly unhinged episode (recorded whilst folding washing, because apparently that's where my best business ideas happen), I'm exploring the surprising similarities between relationship styles and business styles. Are you a people pleaser who says yes to everything? Do you avoid difficult conversations? Or are you all guns blazing for three days before disappearing into a blanket fort of overwhelm? Join me for a light-hearted look at the patterns that might be shaping your business more than you realise. Expect honest observations, relatable examples and a gentle reminder that your business isn't separate from you... it's often just you with a logo. Thinking about a new website? From September, I'll be offering Squarespace website builds designed to help small businesses get found by Google, AI search tools and real-life customers. Find out more and join the waitlist here: https://www.herhandmadehustle.co.uk/website-builds-small-business Connect with me: Website: www.herhandmadehustle.co.ukInstagram: @herhandmadehustleSubstack: Her Handmade Hustle This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

People aren’t just Googling anymore…they’re asking AI for answers. In this episode, I’m talking about the huge shift happening in how people search for businesses online - and why your website now needs to do more than just “look nice”. We’ll chat about: - how AI tools like ChatGPT are changing search - why some businesses are getting found (and others aren’t) - and the simple things you can start doing now to stay ahead Tune in for a straight-talking conversation about what’s changing and what it means for your business. If your website currently feels more decorative than useful - this one’s for you! Read my related blog article: How to Get Your Business Found by AI (Not Just Google) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

Recorded on the way home from the dentist, this off-the-cuff episode explores the idea of “signs” in business. From a personal moment that stopped me in my tracks to the small signals we often ignore, this is a reminder that the direction you’re looking for might already be right in front of you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

If you ever feel stuck with what to write or post about for your business, then today’s episode is for you. I’m talking all about how to notice the small things happening around you in your everyday life - and turn them into a ready-made content bank you can dip into whenever you don’t know what to post, write or say. Because the truth is… you’re not short of ideas - you’re just filtering them out. This episode will help you: Stop overthinking your content Find ideas without sitting staring at a blank screen Use real-life moments to create posts, blogs and social content Show the person behind your business (without it feeling forced) And most importantly? It’ll help you create content that actually connects so your audience remembers you, not just scrolls past you. In this episode, we cover: Why you feel like you’ve got “nothing to say” (and why that’s not true) How to spot content ideas in your everyday life Turning random moments into relatable business content A simple way to build your own content bank 🔗 Don’t forget: Subscribe so you don’t miss the next bite-sized episode 👀 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

What if the thing you’ve been avoiding… is actually the thing that would grow your business? In this bite-sized 15-minute episode, I’m talking about something I see all the time with small business owners (and something I’ve definitely been guilty of myself too) - avoiding the one task that would actually move things forward. Whether it’s sorting your website, improving your SEO, setting up your Google Business Profile, sending that email, or finally getting clear on what you offer… we all have that one thing we keep putting off. And the frustrating truth?That’s usually where the growth is. This short, honest episode is designed to fit into your day - whether you’re making a brew, on the school run or grabbing five minutes between everything else - and give you a simple shift in how you approach your business. ✨ In this episode: Why we avoid the things that matter most How “staying busy” can keep you stuck A simple way to identify what’s actually holding you back One small action you can take this week If you’re looking for practical small business advice, visibility tips, and simple, real-life marketing insights - you’re in the right place. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

Are you building your business undercover? In this episode of Her Handmade Hustle, I’m taking inspiration from Netflix’s Love Undercover (and a slightly embarrassing story about the time I dated a footballer) to talk about something far more important - visibility in business. If you’ve ever downplayed your experience, called your business “just a little thing,” avoided sharing your prices, or felt uncomfortable owning your expertise, this episode is for you. We’re diving into why so many women hide in plain sight - and why you can’t grow a successful, visible small business if people don’t fully understand who you are and what you do. 🎟️ Want some practical help with your visibility to help you get found beyond social media? Join my online webinar, “Right… Let’s Make You Easier To Find.” to learn the simple, small shifts that make your business easier to find. Book your space here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

In this episode, Joanne chats with Eileen Boydell, founder of Wild & Worthy, about identity, life changes and what happens when you quietly stop backing yourself. What we talk about in this episode: - What “Wild & Worthy” really means - Why women don’t lose themselves - they adapt - How life changes can affect confidence and visibility - Why being seen in business feels emotional, not strategic - The link between self-trust and showing up consistently - Backing yourself before the confidence arrives This isn’t about fixing yourself or reinventing who you are. It’s about remembering, reclaiming, and giving yourself permission to take up space again. Find Eileen on Instagram at @wildnworthy. If you’re ready to be more visible in your business without forcing it, you’ll find ways to work with Joanne on the website here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

Why do people sometimes like your business… but still not choose you? In this episode, I’m diving into the psychology behind being chosen - and why visibility alone isn’t enough to turn interest into enquiries. I'm exploring how confidence, clarity and reassurance influence decision-making far more than facts, features or constant posting. We’ll talk about: - why people don’t always choose the “best” option - how decision fatigue and uncertainty stop enquiries - what actually helps customers feel confident enough to say yes - and how businesses can make choosing them feel easier - without pressure or sales tactics If people are finding you, liking you but not getting in touch - this episode will help you understand why…and what really makes the difference. 🎧 Perfect for business owners, service providers and SMEs who want better quality enquiries without having to shout louder online. If this episode has sparked a few “ohhh” moments, you can explore my services and see how I help businesses get chosen over on my website here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com

Being Found When It Matters What happens when someone is actively looking for what you do… and you don’t show up? In this episode, I’m talking about why being visible online isn’t the same as being found - especially when people are searching locally and ready to buy, book or enquire. This conversation was sparked by a very real, very festive moment when our toilet blocked over Christmas - and I needed a plumber, fast. I didn’t scroll. I didn’t browse. I searched. And Google decided who I saw. We talk about: - Why intentional searchers behave differently to casual browsers - Why local visibility matters more than most businesses realise - The role Google plays when people are actively looking for services - Why “near me” searches are such a powerful signal of intent This episode is for businesses of all kinds who want to be found at the moment it actually matters - not just seen when people are scrolling. If you’d like to go deeper, I’ve also written a blog article that explores this in more detail, including what helps businesses show up locally on Google: 👉 Read the blog here: https://www.herhandmadehustle.co.uk/blog/local-seo-for-businesses This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit herhandmadehustle.substack.com