Etsy Seller Interview with Hanna of LeatherByHannaKo

How LeatherByHannaKo 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?

Hi to all! I am Hanna, and I am the founder of the brand LeatherByHannaKo. My story is quite interesting. At university, I studied to become a shoe and bag designer, but I did not have insane enthusiasm. But when I got in touch with the actual process, everything changed. Already in the last class, I started to disappear from the classroom to sit with the masters and learn how to make a pair of shoes by myself from the beginning, that is, to create a design, cut it out of leather, sew it, and in the last phase, glue the upper part of the shoe to the sole. To be honest, I never liked sewing; the work was too monotonous for me with all the other processes I did. A few years after I graduated from university, I started a brand of leather bags. But I always wanted something more. I love something very unique and especially individual. Ukrainians are rather classical people, and that's why they opt for the classic and practical. Then I had a break and was looking after myself while traveling.

My next stage has broken me; I have lost the most important person to me. For half a year, I will be busy only with myself. That time when you want absolutely nothing I remember how, in the spring, on a sunny day, I decided to create my own brand of shoes and bags and sell them abroad. I swear I do not remember how I found out about Etsy, but within a few days, I had completed training that cost me more than I could afford. I will never forget the feeling when my coaches told me that my niche would not lead to a good income. I never had so much confidence in myself as I did then. I worked from morning to night, on weekends, and all summer with no vacation.

I have never been so inspired in my life! I even took design classes to make all the banners myself. You cannot imagine what happened to me when I got my first assignment. Everyone knew about it. Even my neighbors: I woke up in the middle of the night and could not go back to sleep. Such a short story of my beginning, which shows what love and fire in the eyes lead to!

Favorite items

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

My favorite designs today are our Mary Janes. They are an absolute bestsellers this year. To me, they represent the uniqueness and strength of every woman. She can be so different with just one pair of pumps. It's also my favorite style because one design looks great with both heels, platforms, and flat soles! How many messages have I received from customers saying they do not want to take them off? Hahaha, I love it! It's great to create something that makes someone happy!

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 still remember my first sale, our oxfords, as we later understood, which gave us a good start, made of yellow leather, ordered by a woman from Poland. That happened rather after 3 or 4 months! Can you imagine that? And I was just sitting in my office updating the feed so I wouldn't miss the news. I can say with great confidence that I tried 10 strategies to attract customers: updated listings, changed photos, and special offers. Do you know what was the most important thing about my work? That is a crazy desire and love for what I do. The second factor, and probably our priority, is that we can reproduce almost any shoe or bag design. And, of course, a wide selection of materials.

After almost 4 years in sales, I have realized that the most important thing is communication with customers. There is no need to rush into anything. Your customers will tell you what needs to be changed and improved in your business. Of course, this is work with the visual part of your brand, new collections, and discounts that each of us likes so much. Be everywhere, build your brand, and make yourself known. Win the trust of the customer! Do not work for quantity; work for quality. When I get a lot of orders from one person, I always give them a gift, such as a leather wallet or a very good discount. Think like your customers! And again, take your time. You will need time to create a good floor. Good luck!

Managing LeatherByHannaKo

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?

In the beginning, that is, the first year, I did everything myself without exaggeration! All the filling out of listings, the design of the store, the photos, and the shipping! Believe me, I even cut the leather parts myself. To save money because it was a big investment, the store developed rather slowly. I am very proud of myself for this part. And another little reminder for everyone: remember your successes. Currently, I am working on customers and the visual part of my brand. I maintain a website and social networks, take photos, and study the market. You know, it's only now that I have come to the conclusion that you save a lot of time and do your part more professionally when you hand off part of a certain job to someone else. I have a technologist, Maria, who takes excellent care of the technology, quality control, and shipping. I am very grateful to her for that. I work mainly with Etsyrank and usually do a Google search before creating a new quote—that is very helpful! And a very important point is to know your store statistics so you can see what customers are searching for. I am very foxy in this business; I have tried so many methods that sometimes my store gets blocked, so please stick to the rules.

Shipping is the most painful subject because it is something that does not depend on you, and many people do not understand that. But we are always on the side of the customer, and if something is lost, we are happy to make a new order! There are different delays, like when the leather ran out and we had to wait for it, but our cool people always understood these moments.

The future of LeatherByHannaKo

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

I want as many people as possible to know about my brand for its good quality! I've always dreamed of having a physical store somewhere in New York, but that's still in the future! I'd love to collaborate with similar brands, for example, in clothing. I want to create and develop. I want to be a unique part of the world! I love reading feedback from customers, especially if it's something they've been dreaming about for so long. That fulfills me and inspires me!

Advice for new sellers

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

Friends, remember this If you love what you do, all you need is time and work! Do not stop, because there is always room to grow. Find people who are like you and do 10 times better. Never, ever, ever copy anyone. Be unique! Always set goals and a little plan for them; this is something I still do not organize for myself, haha. No matter how many similar stores or products there are, there is always a place for you, and your customers will definitely find you. And the most important advice: do it with love, as you would like it yourself!