How DABADesign 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?

DABA, the brand that was born in 2016, was created to reinvigorate high-quality design with high-quality materials that are built to last. We have prioritized the use of natural materials and simple, modern Scandinavian design, which is noticeable and at the same time fits in organically in a home or office. We are delighted to create personal and loving items for the people who appreciate them. At the moment, we offer wall clocks, wall hooks, door signs, and other accessories. And we welcome custom orders as well. Soon we will be releasing our first collection of wall shelves.

This all started as a side project—something that we dreamed about in the summer of 2015. At first, we wanted to create and sell baby furniture, but in the process, we decided to start with something smaller. In the beginning, this was a side project, and we (me and my business partner) worked full-time jobs elsewhere. Only in 2017, when sales started to come in, did I decide that I would leave my job and fully dedicate my time to DABA.

As for the creation process, at first, we (as a team) start with a blank sheet of paper and start sketching. Once we have enough different ideas, we sit down and decide which is the best one to start designing on the computer. As soon as we have a couple of final designs, we create them in real life to see and feel the product in our hands. After that, we create a quick survey to better understand which products people like better than others. And once we have results, we can create a photoshoot and list our products.

Favorite items

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

Our favorites are definitely wall clocks. Karlis, our wall clock, was actually the first product that we created and the first product that was bought on Etsy. So it has a soft spot in our hearts.

Wood Clock KARLIS, Wall Clock, Wooden Clock, Large Clock, Perfect Gift Idea, Wall Hanging, Oak Wood Wall Clock

But our favorite wall clock is definitely PAULIS. It's a natural look and feels - amazing! We love it!

Wall Clock PAULIS, Large Wooden Clock, Large Natural Oak, Modern Minimalist Tree Design, Unique Home Wall Art

But our bestseller product is wall hook GATIS. We do like it a lot and it was one of the first wall hooks that we designed. Now it has been copied by a lot of shops. But in 2016 there wasn't anything like it.

Coat Hooks GATIS, Decorative Wall Hooks, Modern Coat Rack, Wooden Towel Hanger, Hooks for Wall, Oak Wood Wall Storage, DIY Clothes Hanger

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 something special. It was the first day we created our Etsy page and listed the first product. The same day, we had our first sale. Wow! It was a really amazing feeling. And for our next sale on Etsy, we waited more than a month. At the moment, we attract customers using Etsy ads, Pinterest, and Instagram. And we also try to find the best keywords and tags to use so customers can easily find us. It is still a challenge, but it gets easier once you start to do it.

Managing DABADesign 

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 manage the shop alone. We have different guys and girls who are responsible for social media, manufacturing, and designing, but my goal is to manage the shop. I use a lot of Google apps for productivity and planning. UPS is our shipping partner, and we have created a dedicated place where we package everything. So everything is easy to reach, and we can package everything really fast.

The future of DABADesign  

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

Summertime is usually much quieter regarding sales. So we are focusing more on new product development so we have more to offer our customers. We are preparing a new collection of wall shelves, our first coat rack, a couple of new wall clocks, and maybe more. So there is a lot that we want to create before autumn.

Advice for new sellers

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

Don't be afraid. At first, it looks really hard, and yes, it is. But if you are ready to create something special that customers will love and enjoy, then go ahead! Photos are the most important thing. And I would suggest using a good photographer for that. Maybe not at the start (if your budget doesn't allow it), but later on it will definitely bring you results.

Also, I would suggest trying to use Etsy Ads because it will give you much more visibility at first. You don't have to put in a lot of money, but a small amount will allow your listing to be shown on the first page. Which helps a lot. I can tell you that from our experience. At first, we didn't advertise our listings and had really slow sales. But once we put just a couple of dollars a day into this ad budget, we started to see sales coming in much more rapidly.

And of course, add all the necessary keywords and tags. Good photos, descriptions, tags, and a couple of dollars in ads will definitely give you a sales boost that is really necessary at the start. So good luck with your new Etsy shop!

Alura Team
Alura Team

Alura is your all-in-one platform for selling on Etsy. With more $500.000+ gross sales over four years selling on Etsy, Alura is built by experienced sellers for sellers. Start with a free account and explore all the features you need to start, run, and grow your Etsy shop.