How GarlicMeadow 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?
My Etsy shop sells products from my Welsh smallholding. It began in 2015, originally selling the wool from my own flock of rare breed sheep. As the smallholding has diversified, so has the Etsy shop. The main product line I now sell is a line of goat’s milk skincare products, which I make from my own goat’s milk.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
It is difficult to identify my favorite items within my shop because all of the skincare products are handmade from our own goat’s milk. I love the link between my animals and my products. I do like the body butter hand creams that I make. As I work outside all year, my hands can dry out and crack. The hand cream I make from goat’s milk has stopped this, and I have received similar reviews from others who have bought my product.
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?
I can’t remember exactly how long it took me to get my first sale. Initially, with only a small range of products, my sales were slow. As the product range has grown, so have my sales. My Etsy shop has grown as my business has grown and will continue to do so. I attract customers to my Etsy shop using my social media platforms. For my product type, returning customers are really good. I try to take advantage of Etsy promotions and sales, offer free postage with a minimum order size, and have worked hard to get Star Seller status.
Managing GarlicMeadow
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?
It is only I who manage my Etsy shop. I use the Etsy app on my phone to help me fulfill orders and purchase postage through Etsy. I do a daily print of orders, sort the parcels, and purchase postage.
The future of GarlicMeadow
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I would like to see my Etsy shop grow. My Etsy shop has definitely been slow to catch on; it has only really gained momentum in the past couple of years. I am very aware that my Etsy shop will grow in line with the amount of effort I put in. This works well for me as I juggle family life with the farm and business side of things. I would like to firmly establish my skincare line as a brand.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Don’t be afraid to start small; just make a start. Build up as much as you can and take advantage of Etsy promotions. Keep going and don’t give up.
Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.
Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: In the region of £120-400
Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 50%
Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 1.3%
GarlicMeadow
Selling products from our Welsh smallholding
