Etsy Seller Interview with Konrad of IfCatsCanFly

How IfCatsCanFly 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 name is Konrad Sowicki, and I am a designer and founder of the IfCatsCanFly store. For many years, I have been designing as well as implementing outdoor advertising. At some point in my life, I felt the need to try my hand at creating objects from plywood. Initially, I made display furniture, models, and toys for children. Over time, as I gained experience, the idea of designing a shelf for a cat was born. Cats are extremely interesting and loved animals all over the world; for this reason, there are a huge number of products for them on the online market. I am very fond of aesthetic interiors, and therefore the idea of designing furniture that will combine functionality—important for the cat—and design—that will give the owner a modern decoration for the interior—was born. A breakthrough moment for me and the brand was working with designer Agnieszka Szczygielska, who helped design the NEKO series of cat shelves. The geometric shapes on the shelves made them a product that impressed many people with its design. Why did I decide to open a store on Etsy? Because it is a platform with international reach and a huge number of designers. Etsys customers appreciate products that are unique and made by small creators. The beginning was not easy, but thanks to the trust of my first customers, I am where I am. Because of this, I am very grateful and happy to be able to do something I love and to give a place of work to the people who now work together with me.

Favorite items

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

My favorite products and a source of pride are the Bubble Series furniture. As it turned out over time, I was not the only one who liked them. Since they were put up on Etsy, they have gained a lot of popularity and have become bestsellers. Thanks to their round shape, bubble shelves fit into many interiors and are an eye-catching decorative element on the wall. Cats are also very happy, and more than once I have received messages from returning customers saying that one shelf is not enough for their cats due to its popularity in the house. The bubble shelf with steps has become a hit. The three levels for resting and playing proved to be a great idea, which the cats use with great joy. Observing the interest in the shelf, I decided to design a set that will become a wall playground for cats and their favorite place in the house. It provides the opportunity to play in a larger space, thus saving the couch or other furniture of the owners. Another noteworthy product is the Bubble Hammock, which is designed to provide a little more relaxation for those special feline tenants. I know from experience that a soft hammock is something cats love. Another advantage is the height at which it is mounted; it gives the cat a sense of security and the ability to observe its surroundings.

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?

Initially in 2017, my store on Etsy was not very active; I had a few sales on my account. The breakthrough and development began in 2020 when my employee and I started adding more products and focused on the aesthetics of the store and marketing. The global pandemic also played a part in the development of my store to some extent; many people significantly increased their online activity at that time. In 2022, my store was honored as a finalist in the Etsy Design Awards; this was something I will never forget as a designer. Social media (mainly Instagram and TikTok) became the main channel of outreach. This year, we decided to gradually increase the number of collaborations with influencers. It is very important for us to have contact with clients and observers, both public and private.

Managing IfCatsCanFly 

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?

As of today, I have 4 employees who support me daily in running the store and processing orders. One person is responsible for marketing and customer service, which she shares with me. Order processing is handled by a total of 4 people, who are responsible for processing plywood, painting items, and packaging.

 Useful tools for running the business and selling on Etsy are:

Corel Draw: This is where I design all the furniture pieces that will later go through the cutting process.

Photoshop is used by us to process photos of products, elements for printing, and banners.

Canva—this is where I most often create ideas for coverage and roll them out on Instagram.

Small business invoice—this is the program in which we issue sales documents.

Google has tools such as worksheets, documents, and drives.

The future of IfCatsCanFly

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

I still associate the future of the store with Etsy. I would like to expand more into the Polish market because of my background. With the increase in sales, I will definitely purchase new machines and tools to improve order processing and develop technical capabilities.

Advice for new sellers

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

I can advise new vendors to build a community of like-minded audiences around their brand on social media. Friendly contact with customers and taking care of their needs are very important. An aesthetically pleasing store (good quality photos, clear and valuable product descriptions) is something you should spend more of your time on. The last piece of advice I want to give to new sellers is to keep developing your skills. Thank you very much for the opportunity to share my story with others.