How IDTagsToGo 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 began selling in 2007 by making handmade, customized pendants and selling them via my shop, Annie Howes, as well as online with my own website. I switched to selling supplies in 2008 with the very first Scrabble Tile Pendant Making Kit. It was an instant success, and soon after, I launched a series of jewelry-making kits, including those using glass and resin.
It wasn’t until 2017 that I launched IDTagsToGo. Initially, it was my intent to build a business to sell after a year, but I found I enjoyed the simplicity of engraving and serving a completely different customer base. The specific products and machines I use were all sourced in the USA. In fact, the engraving machines I purchased I bought through Craigslist, the entire cost of which was paid off via sales within the first 6 months of operation.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My favorite items are both the bench plates and the bone-shaped ID dog tags with funny inscriptions.
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?
It didn’t take long at all to make my first sale. I don’t know how many days it took, but I believe it was under a week. Sales just kept coming. Tags, keywords, and great photos convert shoppers into buyers. Maintaining a great rating keeps your shop relevant. Through no fault of my own, Etsy markets my items off-site. This brings a lot of traffic to my shop.
Managing IDTagsToGo
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’m currently the only employee in both of my companies. I had up to 3 employees at one time; however, when we moved from Arizona to Utah, I made the decision to simplify my life and manage sales with price points and turnaround times.
The future of IDTagsToGo
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
At some point, I’d like to expand my engraving business with machines that allow me to offer more customized styles. My current machines are self-limiting in that I can only engrave using fonts and designs that are pre-programmed in them.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Enjoy your work, and take weekends, evenings, and holidays to yourself. Customers understand you need time off. Set up your auto-reply and get back to customer questions when you’re next at work. Treat each customer as a friend, and they will return for your product quality, your friendliness, and your great service.