Welcome to the Sidequest! 🗺️
On Tuesdays, we detour from our regular Friday format to bring you something a little different. Today, we’re sitting down with an incredible human being to celebrate courage, community, and what it really means to have a "handyma'am state of mind".
We are so honored to introduce you to Johanna Schuster Craig, owner of Smaller Scale LLC, based in the Lansing area. Johanna shares the inspiring story of leaving a career in academia to seek out a life filled with more autonomy, joy, and hands-on problem-solving.
What we're covering in this Sidequest:
•The Handyma'am State of Mind: Why being a handy person is really about having the courage to leave your comfort zone in pursuit of something better.
•From Academia to the Trades: How a simple driveway shed build sparked a full-fledged contracting company.•Joy as Resistance: Why building a healthy, supportive company culture and finding joy in your daily work is the ultimate act of citizenship and resistance.
•Setting Boundaries: How to handle client feedback with grace while protecting your team's energy.
•Career Change Advice: Johanna’s highly practical, step-by-step advice for making a massive life transition (with or without a safety net).
Johanna's Info
Smaller Scale Website: https://smallerscalelansing.com/
Smaller Scale Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallerscalelansing
Smaller Scale Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallerscale
✨ JOIN US IN PERSON
The August Intensive in Lansing, MI: Grab your ticket for our all-day, hands-on workshop! We are teaching you how to swap toilets, fix drywall, and conquer power tools. (Only 40 spots available!)
🎟️ Get your ticket here: https://howtohandymaam.com/class-registration
🤝 SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
Join our Patreon: Want exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early access to tickets, and a way to directly support the pod? Join the crew!
🧡 Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/c/HowtoHandymaam
Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get DIY tips, project updates, and first dibs on our live events sent straight to your inbox.
💌 Sign up here: https://howtohandymaam.com/newsletter🛠️
OUR FAVORITE TOOLS
Constantly wondering what drill, saw, or safety glasses we are using? We put all our tried-and-true favorites in one place!
🛒 Shop our Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/howtohandymaam
Shop our Lowes Storefront https://www.lowes.com/l/creator/howtohandymaam🎧
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
New episodes drop every week! If you loved this, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-handymaam-a-home-improvement-comedy-podcast/id1858097879
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJ623LRS6Dluzpkiv45Xs
📱 HANG OUT WITH US ON SOCIALS: Catch our daily tool tutorials, project updates, and behind-the-scenes chaos!*
Instagram: [@HowToHandymaam] https://www.instagram.com/howtohandymaam/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@howtohandymaam
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoHandymaam
Looking for something else? Check out all our links in one place! Howtohandymaam.com/links
👋 ABOUT US We are Samantha, Emily, and Arly—the crew behind How to Handyma'am. We didn't go to trade school; we just fell in love with this work and started a licensed handyman business in Lansing, Michigan. Now, our mission is to give women the agency, skills, and confidence to fix their own homes and tackle those terrifying DIY projects.
Disclaimer: Our videos and podcasts are for educational and entertainment purposes. Always check your local building codes and consult with a licensed professional when necessary!
