How KINGSofmyCASTLE 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?
We are a small family business. As the mother of two children, I decided to support three ideas: sustainability, well-being, and saving money. I choose to use reusable diapers and wool as diaper covers and clothing. That is how KINGS of my CASTLE came to be: as a conscious and sustainable response to the immediate need to have children. Kings of My Castle is a Portuguese brand that makes reusable products like cloth diapers, cloth pads, cloth wipes, cloth underwear, and wool covers—all made in Portugal! Etsy was just right because it allows the sharing of small local businesses on a global scale.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
After two kids and using lots of different types of diapers, I came to the conclusion that a simple approach to using cloth diapers can be effective and affordable. So I love flats and pre-flats. Another must-have is hemp inserts, which provide excellent additional absorbency for day or night. Hemp is a naturally occurring fiber and one of the most durable organic fibers available today. It is naturally resistant to bacteria and has a fairly low environmental impact, which allows us to reduce our carbon footprint. But we also have a great variety of reusable night diapers if you want something easier to use, such as bamboo fitted and Windpro nappies. Finally, one of our best sellers is linen knit fabric, made in Portugal. Simply put, linen is an age-old textile that has never gone out of style.
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 wasn’t immediately that I earned my first sale on Etsy. There’s a big competition. But after a few days, I just started selling. First, I put a direct link from my Facebook account to Etsy’s store, and I think that was very important at the moment. Now I try to update my listings with customers’ preferences, divulge them in my social media products, and include real testimonies of people who try my products. Everyone wants feedback.
Managing KINGSofmyCASTLE
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 the head of Kings at my castle shop, but I can’t do it all; I need help; it’s teamwork. For instance, my husband helps with the kids, my mother helps with shipping, my friend helps with social media, and I do the taxes... We need to understand that we can’t do it alone. This way, everyone feels like they're contributing. There are some tools that I use for editing images, making invoices, and posting on social media that facilitate my life a little. All the help I can get is welcome.
The future of KINGSofmyCASTLE
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
My first goal is always customer satisfaction because I love what I do and want to spread the idea that reusable products have great quality, are easy to use, and are affordable. But of course, I would also like to grow brand awareness, expand into new markets, and increase website traffic. I need to improve and execute marketing strategies more efficiently. Everyone who has a baby should try cloth diapers. Every woman should try cloth pads. Everyone who uses makeup should try reusable round pads. Everyone should try to use mostly clothes made with more sustainably sourced fabrics, fibers, etc. We all need to contribute as much as we can. Every simple thing matters.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
You need to be patient. If you love what you do, don't give up. Try to use social media to divulge your store. It may take some time to get there, but great feedback and good customer service will help you a lot. Good luck.
KINGSofmyCASTLE
A Portuguese brand of wool, cloth diapers, cloth pads.
