Etsy Seller Interview with Brenda of bsueboutiquesupplies

How bsueboutiquesupplies got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

I came to Etsy in 2011 after 14 years at eBay as what was called a 'star seller'. We made the majority of our income at Ebay, but the format became harder and harder to manage, and we weren't doing as well there as we once did.

So, I thought I would try Etsy. I set up shop at Etsy six months before I quit eBay, and we had sales immediately. I'm certain this is because clientele followed us to Etsy, I was known in my trade, and I had a lot to list at Etsy, too.

Also, the competition in my field (jewellery parts) was not as fierce on Etsy as it is now. To be honest, if I didn't have those things in my favour, it would have taken me a lot longer to get things rolling.

For us, it’s more about sourcing, and that’s based on knowledge of the customer and years of experience since we sell parts. Also, understanding what people are looking for helps. We get our inventory from old warehouses, old stock here in my workshop, and manufacturers from all over the world.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

This is very hard to answer as our inventory changes constantly and we don’t really sell a ‘line’ of products at Etsy. Some people like to feel like they stepped into a warehouse when they come to their Etsy, so we might have just about anything, anytime, there.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

Our first sale was immediate, but that’s because I was known at Ebay previously and active in many collecting groups as well as social media. Social media was super new then, so it was easier to get attention. We do the same things we always did to get attention: Facebook, now Instagram, and a whole lot of YouTube. Plus, we treat people well and follow the very best business practises.

Managing bsueboutiquesupplies 

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

I have four employees—and me. I am not sure what all they use, as they manage so much of what we do. I personally am responsible for teaching, marketing, buying or sourcing, and choosing what is listed next. Plus, we are not just doing Etsy; we are also fulfilling for a big e-commerce site, bsueboutiques.com, at the same time. A lot of our customers buy from both places.

The future of bsueboutiquesupplies  

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

Everyone would love to increase revenue, so I’d say we are the same as all the rest in that way. We are not casual sellers; this is our entire livelihood. So everything we do has to count.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

Don’t be casual. Do everything with intention. Create a line; if you are making jewellery, establish a look for your work. Don't be all over the place. Price reasonably and have periodic sales. And most of all, add new work CONSTANTLY. If you get lax about that, no one buys. New uploads are what will drive traffic for you more than anything else you do. By all means, spend NO time on groups that are critical of selling, especially on Etsy. Those folks are upset because they are making no sales. The reason they are not making sales is that they are NOT doing the work. Spend enough time on social media to establish a friendly presence so you can market. Do not stay there; hang out and visit. You are wasting time that is critical to your progress.