How LabelRaasleela 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?

Hello, my name is Sonali, and I run an Etsy shop called Label Raasleela from India. Selling on Etsy was a very random turn of luck. Etsy was just launching in India, and I got a phone call from the team to ask if I wanted to set up my Etsy shop. I said, "Sure, let’s try," and the rest is history. I started selling on Etsy in late 2018 and have made over 1300 sales as of May 2023.

The inspiration behind the product range is very simple: the need to champion Indian crafts. We have thousands of crafts in India, and my driving force is to make them modern and take them global. I use Indian crafts and fabrics in each and every collection we make. We use only artisanal fabrics that are sourced directly from the artist and only natural fabrics in all our designs. I and my partner personally visit all craft clusters and villages and source fabrics from them. Once we source the fabric, I start designing them into modern silhouettes.

Favorite items

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

The indigo collection works best on Etsy. I have had customers buy multiple pieces of the same item so that they have that outfit even if one gets spoiled,  torn, etc. So many customers have become repeat buyers because of the Indigo collection we make. It is 100% handmade, and the indigo dye we use is also completely natural. The collection is currently sold out except for one piece, which I can share here.Indigo floral block print tunic

Indigo floral block print tunic

But apart from Indigo, block print dresses in floral prints work and sell the most.My current favorite is our "deep neck floral dress with flouncy sleeves."

deep neck floral dress with flouncy sleeves

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?

We started the shop in late 2018 and made the first sale in February 2019. So it took about 3–4 months or so to make the first sale. At that time, I did not know a lot about how to make listings and add keywords. The number of designs was limited, and it took some time to get the shop going.

Most of our sales are organic even now, and we get a good percentage of repeat buyers.

Ad spending is almost negligible currently.

Managing LabelRaasleela

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 have a small team of two pattern makers and four tailors who do all the cutting, stitching, and finishing for the orders. I have one employee who does the packing and shipping.

My partner and I run the backend, inventory, photoshoots, listings, customer care, and everything else that comes with running a small business.

We also have three rescue dogs who play a very important role in keeping the workspace happy and positive. A part of our profits goes to feed, vaccinate, and sterilize our community and street dogs.

The future of LabelRaasleela

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

My goal is to reach every corner of the world and have someone from all countries wear at least one outfit from Label Raasleela. To take Indian crafts into every home is a dream, a goal, and a passion. Currently, we work with block print for the bulk of our designs, but slowly and gradually, I would love to show more textile crafts.

Advice for new sellers

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

My advice to anyone would be to not wait for the perfect time to start. Start with what you have and take it from there. You will learn on the job, and each problem will help you grow both as a person and as a business. I also very strongly believe in sticking to your guns and not blindly following every trend. These two things have helped me immensely.

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: 1500-2300 USD

Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 40-46%

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 1-1.3%

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.