10
December
Worth-reading insights from 14 small business owners
Very often the advice we most need is not the one from the prestigious business magazine or the ultra famous marketing coach, but that from the fellow entrepreneur and small business owner who is still on his/her way or has even just started. A different approach to the same problem or a reminder of something we actually once had in mind but have been forgotten during the process can be of great help.
On this massive post, I’ve wanted to gather the experiences and opinions of 14 Etsy shop owners who started from the very beginning to slowly build a professional business out of their true passions. I’ve asked them 4 questions on their background, challenges and advices for new entrepreneurs and they have given some great answers.
I hope you find it inspiring!
How did you get the background and skills necessary to run your business?
I graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in psychology and minor in marketing. Luckily my college internship turned into a full-time job as a buyer at a corporate surf company with which I worked for 2 years. While I don’t have any fashion design or sewing training, my schooling and work experience has helped me with the retail, eCommerce, and marketing aspects of my business. I am also lucky to have a father who has an extensive work background in finance – I go to him with any big business decisions.
Taylor Ifland from Salt Shoppe
I have a BBA in Management. Prior to Etsy in the past 30 years, I have owned several businesses. Also, I am self-taught in my craft, faceting gemstones and making jewelry.
Steve Howe from Southern Gemstones
I am self taught since I was a little girl, I have always loved to make or design things from crochet, quilting, needlework, sewing, jewelry and running my business online.
Bridget Erickson from Land of Bridget
I studied Film/Television at USC for 3 1/2 years and I studied Photography at Santa Monica College. I started working in Television right out of college and kept taking pictures as a hobby during my free time. Over the years, friends and family started asking me to shoot their weddings, their Christmas postcards, their headshots… and I quickly built up a network of clients that needed my services on a regular basis. At the same time I also started shooting stock photography and worked on a few personal projects such as a coffee table book and a fencing series.
Sebastien Roche-Lochen from Beus Photography
Growing up, my father owned his own business, so I guess you could say I’ve been exposed to “entrepreneurship” my whole life. I’ve always valued how hard work and loved the idea of being my own boss. While this isn’t my full time gig, I am hoping to make that transition someday. I think with anything, research has been important. I didn’t start off “good at Etsy” and even now I have a ways to go. It’s a process. You always have to be growing and striving to improve.
Marianne Neergaard from Better Tomorrows
I had a strong background in sewing and design from years of trial and error. I have always enjoying sewing and creating new clothing and accessories. I had a desire to share my handbags with the world and found on Etsy the perfect platform to sell on.
Andrea Robinson from Belle Époque Creations
In 1995, I was a sophomore in high school, and I signed up for Graphic Arts. I never knew that taking that class would change my life forever! I was totally obsessed! After High School, I went to college for Design & Media Production Technology. I studied Graphic Design, Drawing, Page Layout, Digital Publishing & App Design, Raster Graphics, Vector Graphics, as well as others.
Star Snider from StarCity Designs
I have always been a crafter and I taught myself to knit from a book at age 17. I was a General Ledger/Cost Accountant, then an accounting software support tech before I started my Etsy shop so I developed accounting, technical and customer service skills that way. Also just being naturally curious helps, because having an online shop requires me to investigate and try new things out for myself.
Juli LeVitre from Cheshire Cat’s Madness
I have been crocheting since I was about 10 years old, my mom taught me a simple single crochet stitch and I made baby blankets as gifts for my goddaughters. I stopped crocheting for years until just recently I rediscovered it and found that it is a true passion of mine.
Kristin Jerome from The Yarn & More Store
Ever since I was a small child I loved to craft. I could always be found making something or other. I can still remember the painted rock I made for my Grandpa when I was very small. As I got older, the crafts changed and I was able to learn more skills. As a young teenager I learned to crochet and things just kept progressing. I have never tired of crafting or learning new skills and am continually trying my hand at different things.
Sue from Sue’s Akorn Shop
Simply put, I make crafts. Jewelry is what I started off with. A woman I once worked with opened up a passion in me to create. She taught me a lot. I started off with the basics. From there I began to research new techniques and new methods of learning that interested me. I researched online, read books I borrowed from my local library, and worked hands on practicing my craft.
Nallery Licardie from Whimsical Treasures
I started by attending a creativity training, one year ago, with an artist. It gave a kick-start to my activity. As this is my first shop, I will give the perspective of a beginner in running a business. So far, I have mostly learnt through self-training, by reading a lot (The Etsy Handbook, Etsy forums, blogs on small businesses, webinars on running a business, etc.).
Delphine from La Tour Studio
Learning by doing! When there’s something I don’t know, there’s a wealth of information on the internet, so much support for small businesses! I learned knitting when I was about 5 years old, and I always liked sock knitting. The Christmas stockings I knit are just bigger and a little more difficult.
Gigi from Santa’s Sock Central
I have learnt as I have gone along and found some great advice online and on the Etsy forums. Always make time to do the most important things like finances, social media, etc.
Angie from Finger Picking Good
What is the biggest challenge you have faced during this time?
When I first started (2011) my biggest challenge was time. My kids were small and balancing making, listing, and selling along with my family obligations was tiring. Now my biggest challenge is adapting to the changing marketplace that has come with the rise of online shopping and Etsy’s growth. I used to just list and get tons of views, favorites and sales. Now there is so much more to getting found and making that sale.
Juli LeVitre from Cheshire Cat’s Madness
My biggest challenge is the pain in my wrists and fingers. I have tendinitis from a job I had when I was younger and the hours and hours each day I spend crocheting have definitely taken a toll on my hands. I often wake up and can not move my hands, but it is a labor of love and I will not stop until my hands fall off.
Kristin Jerome from The Yarn & More Store
The biggest challenge I have encountered is trying to market my items and to get my items to the people who would like and use them the most. I carry kitchen and bath towels, aprons, pillows, mercury glass, coasters and more different items appeal to different people.
Sue from Sue’s Akorn Shop
The biggest challenge I’ve faced would be being able to find time. Time to create and time to work on the business side. It’s very hard to manage all parts of a business for just one person. But when you’re dedicated to what you do you make the time. You work on balancing your daily activities such as running a household, holding a full time job, and successfully creating. It’s hard, VERY hard. You learn to adapt and you learn to make things work out.
Nallery Licardie from Whimsical Treasures
Daring to show my handmade stationery out there, to the world, through an online shop. Facing all the skills you have to learn for this, but I enjoy this challenge fully!
Delphine from La Tour Studio
My biggest challenge is time management. My items take about 8 hours to make. In addition, I sell a very seasonal product, so I tend to be booked with Christmas orders by October. I’ve been trying to keep customers interested to order in the spring and summer, with incentives like discounts and free products.
Gigi from Santa’s Sock Central
Finding my target market, although with time and sales I am learning what people want to buy and why.
Angie from Finger Picking Good
Because I do not have any formal schooling for fashion, the biggest obstacle I have faced is design development. I have many ideas, but translating them from paper to leather is a daunting task. Especially when I want to do something more complicated than previous collections. There are a lot of frustrating nights when I am working on something new.
Taylor Ifland from Salt Shoppe
The biggest challenge I face is fitting it all in. Between my family, my “real” job and everything else, it’s hard to dedicate time to my craft without neglecting my other responsibilities. I have a very supportive family that helps me package, ship, run errands, etc. that really relieves me from some of the necessary duties.
Steve Howe from Southern Gemstones
The biggest challenge is mastering the computer and online selling. To be organized and to be able to mulit task. Customer Service is a very important part of not only running your business but for life in general.
Bridget Erickson from Land of Bridget
The biggest challenge as a photographer over the past few years is to stay relevant in an age where the Iphone 6 take amazing pictures, where we are bombarded with beautiful imagery in advertising, magazines, and Instagram, and where everyone thinks they’re a photographer… Photographers are becoming obsolete so we have to find new ways to attract clients or collectors.
Sebastien Roche-Lochen from Beus Photography
I think it would have to be just getting exposure. It’s hard to be unique and different especially on a site like Etsy. I learned you just have to be patient. And positive!
Marianne Neergaard from Better Tomorrows
I have found technology the biggest challenge to my business. I struggle with the technical set up of my online business. With help I was able to complete the setup of my online Etsy shop. I have my own webpage but I cannot take it to a successful point because I lack the technical skills.
Andrea Robinson from Belle Époque Creations
The biggest challenge I have faced during this time, is finding time! I have a 2 year old, and she keeps me very busy. I really like to get a new item up for sale everyday, but lately it has been more like 1-2 items per week!
Star Snider from StarCity Designs
What do you wish someone had told you before you started?
Time is money. I used to charge just $35 for a hand knitted Christmas stocking. Now I charge a lot more, and I’m a lot happier. Not everyone has to be able to afford my items, the ones who can will find me.
Gigi from Santa’s Sock Central
Try not to rush into your business, take time, plan, research your finances, write everything down, expenses, materials, etc.
Angie from Finger Picking Good
I wish someone had told me to not go crazy. In the beginning, I was so excited to get started, that I over-bought fabric. Now that I work primarily with leather and have changed my shop’s branding, I don’t have much of a need for the piles of fabric. If I could go back, I would buy what I need and not more than I need.
Taylor Ifland from Salt Shoppe
I wish someone would have told me that photography of gemstones is a major skill in itself. I found that there was a big learning curve that I had to overcome. I have spent countless hours taking pictures using different settings, props, lenses, lighting, etc. Just because you may have a craft, you still need to learn other skills to present your work in an appealing manner.
Steve Howe from Southern Gemstones
When I started online selling I dove right in, I wish someone had told me to read and research a lot more. The more I’ve learned by doing this the more successful I have become.
Bridget Erickson from Land of Bridget
I wish somebody had forced me to take business and marketing classes while I was in art school because I made a lot of business mistakes that I learned from, but that cost me a lot of money.
Sebastien Roche-Lochen from Beus Photography
So many things! For starters, how important photography and image are. I look back to my previous listings and cringe. No wonder I didn’t sell much! Also, as much as it is an independent venture, everyone needs help. You can’t be too proud to ask for help or advice. And again with patience! No one becomes successful overnight. It takes a lot of time and hard work.
Marianne Neergaard from Better Tomorrows
I was very naïve when I started my business. I just loved to sew and thought that was about all I needed to know. I wish someone would have told me I needed more technical and computer skills.
Andrea Robinson from Belle Époque Creations
I wish someone would have told me to branch out with more than one product! It is great having a few things for customers to pick from, instead of just one item. Adding my graphic sticker sheets to my shop has been a hit! I wish I would have started them sooner!
Star Snider from StarCity Designs
I wish someone would have told me how important great pictures are and everything running a business involves. A business owner has to juggle so many things, but I find it to be a very rewarding experience.
Sue from Sue’s Akorn Shop
What I wish someone told me before I started was “Don’t rush things. The harder you try to force something to work, the easier it is to make the simplest of mistakes.” Another, “Your success is what you make of the talents that you were given and it is up to you to choose how to use them intelligently.” Needless to say, things aren’t always going to be perfect and you need to set realistic expectations for yourself.
Nallery Licardie from Whimsical Treasures
I found many good tips in the creativity training I attended. I also read a lot about Etsy before opening my shop, so that I knew what to expect. I would recommend to get training, or at least solid information, before you start your business, rather than getting it while running your business, as you may lose time and energy if you forget or make a mistake about some key points.
Delphine from La Tour Studio
Keep close track of the finances. If you are in it for the long term, there will be down times. Define for yourself what you want your business to be and don’t let outside forces push you into their vision for you. Be teachable, but know your limitations.
Juli LeVitre from Cheshire Cat’s Madness
I wish someone had told me more information about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) before I had started my Etsy store. I knew nothing about how to get found on the internet, so when I started out, that was a bit of a struggle for me to grasp.
Kristin Jerome from The Yarn & More Store
What advice would you give people who want to set up their own business?
Just go for it, don’t put it off! You can figure everything out as you go along. There are so many resources online. We’re lucky to live in this time and age, small business have as much of a chance of making it as big businesses.
Gigi from Santa’s Sock Central
My advice to others would be to research Etsy, read, watch videos, research your target market, price competatively, create a product buyers cant live without and commit fully to your new venture, persistence is a requirement.
Angie from Finger Picking Good
I would suggest patience and knowing that it is going to have to take time to learn and grow your business. Read and research everything about online selling and the platform you use. Ask questions and be apart of the community. There are a lot of seasoned sellers that are more than happy to help! Online selling isn’t for everyone and not everyone is going to understand what you are doing. Don’t let that bring you down, you are on a path doing what you like to do.
Bridget Erickson from Land of Bridget
I think the emotional side of me would say to start a business in something you love to do. Life is too short to be in business doing something you don’t love. It will show in your work.
Andrea Robinson from Belle Époque Creations
The advice I would give about starting a business would be, choose something you love, and have a passion for!! LOVE what you do! You are going to spend countless hours with your business, and you want it to be as Enjoyable as Possible. Also, be consistent!
Star Snider from StarCity Designs
If you want to set up a creative business, don’t do it just because you want to make money. You need to love what you do or it will become a chore just like any other job done just for money. It takes a lot of self motivation. There won’t be anyone to blame for the mistakes but the success will be yours and yours alone.
Juli LeVitre from Cheshire Cat’s Madness
I would advise someone planning on starting a new business to first do lots of research on SEO, photography, marketing etc. Although my main advice, is just know what your getting into. Having a business is no cake walk, it is a LOT of hard work and dedication. If you take it serious and really throw yourself fully into your work, you will earn the success you deserve.
Kristin Jerome from The Yarn & More Store
To people who are just starting out I would say to study the market. Try to know ahead of time where you can reach your target audience. Have faith in your product and yourself and don’t give up.
Sue from Sue’s Akorn Shop
Work hard, work smart, and ALWAYS love what you’re doing. If you don’t, then there’s no reason why you should waste your time on it. And keep calm, everything will always work itself out so just keep pushing yourself to reach your goals.
Nallery Licardie from Whimsical Treasures
You only get to make one first impression, so take your time. Rushing things and opening a business too fast might result in closing it very fast too. Don’t count on other people to help you. Be grateful when they do help, just don’t expect anything.
Sebastien Roche-Lochen from Beus Photography
I think the most important thing for me is to enjoy it. Make sure you’re having fun.Once it becomes a chore and an inconvenience it’s not worth it. Never settle or become complacent. You have to constantly look for inspiration to keep from getting bored. There’s obviously a huge financial component here. People need to make sure they’ve done their homework and make sure they are ready to take the leap!
Marianne Neergaard from Better Tomorrows
Be aware that it is going to be an adventure: full of new challenges, with unexpected joys and fears, milestones, moments of discouragement, and many miles to go. You will learn a lot, all the time, it is probably one of the best parts of this adventure!
Delphine from La Tour Studio
My advice would be: stay true to who you are, create a business model and pricing strategy, keep track of all your spending, and soak up as much as you can about the industry.
Taylor Ifland from Salt Shoppe
My number one piece of advice of all time is to read everything you can and watch every video you can on all of the various subjects associated with your shop. Even today, I still read every chance I get on current trends, search engine optimization, photography, tools of my craft, alternative selling platforms, etc. You should begin this as soon as you decide to set up your own business and continue to do so from now on.
Steve Howe from Southern Gemstones
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