Etsy Seller Interview with Nicole of LoveLightShungite

How LoveLightShungite 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 Nicole, and I am the owner of LoveLightShungite on Etsy. I became interested in shungite while I was working in a highly negative environment. Being sensitive to my surroundings, I often felt drained at the end of each day. Searching for something to counteract the negativity, I discovered shungite. I placed an order with a vendor in Russia, and it took over a month to receive it. I then started carrying pieces of shungite in my pockets when I went to work. I noticed that there was a significant difference in how I felt at work. I noticed how different Whether in stores or public places, having Shungite with me had a noticeable impact. I spent several months working with the stone and was amazed at how much it really helped me as a highly sensitive person.

Initially, I didn’t intend to open a shop and sell shungite. However, I noticed that it wasn't a stone commonly found in crystal shops, shipping from Russia took excessively long, and there were issues with fake shungite in the market. Motivated by my fascination with this stone and the desire to provide genuine shungite to crystal lovers, sensitive individuals, and empaths, I made the decision to import shungite directly from Russia and establish my shop on Etsy. I grew my shop to the point where I felt ready to take a risk, and in August of 2021, I made the decision to quit my job of 21 years—the very job that led me to discover shungite as a means to cope with the daily negativity. Since then, my shop has continued to grow, proving to be the best decision I made for myself.

All the shungite I offer in my shop comes from the Republic of Karelia, Russia, and undergoes authenticity testing. I collaborate with multiple vendors in Russia to ensure that I source the highest-quality shungite at affordable prices. We carry a wide variety of shungite, elite shungite, and jewelry. The majority of the shungite available in my shop is hand-cut in Russia. I personally craft all the bracelets in my collection, and I've taken some of the shungite pendants and added a touch to make them even more special while retaining their simplicity. The journey of sourcing and importing this remarkable stone has been immensely rewarding. I have personally experienced numerous benefits from shungite, and it brings me great joy to share this stone with my valued customers.

Favorite items

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

Among my favorite items in my shop are the 90-mm Shungite Sphere. The 90-mm shungite sphere is a perfect addition to your living room. Its large size allows for a wide range of influence, helping to balance energy, rid negativity, and serve as an EMF protector for the electronics and Wi-Fi in your home. I find its versatility and effectiveness truly remarkable.

The amethyst and shungite bracelet is another favorite of mine. It offers a convenient way to incorporate shungite into your everyday life, providing protection from negative energy and maintaining a balanced energy field. Personally, I wear this bracelet every day. Its comfortable, stretchy design combines faceted amethyst beads with shungite, which work harmoniously together to offer amazing benefits.

In addition to these favorites, Elite Shungite is another highly sought-after item in my shop. Its popularity stems from the fact that Elite Shungite contains the highest carbon and fullerene content, resulting in the most effective EMF protection and a wide range of health benefits. Elite Shungite is primarily used for making shungite water, as it possesses exceptional purifying properties. In fact, Russian soldiers used to carry a piece of shungite in their pockets to purify water. Shungite stands out as one of the few stones that has undergone scientific research to substantiate its claims of EMF protection, health benefits, and water purification.

These particular items have gained significant traction in the market due to the combination of their unique features, proven effectiveness, and growing awareness about the benefits of shungite. Customers appreciate the authenticity, quality, and tangible benefits associated with these products, which ultimately contribute to their success in terms of sales and customer satisfaction.

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 was fortunate enough to receive my first sale within a month of opening my shop, which was an exciting moment for me. Initially, all of my traffic came from within Etsy itself. As my shop started generating consistent sales, I decided to leverage the Etsy ads feature to further boost my visibility and attract more customers. Running Etsy ads has proven to be an effective strategy for driving traffic to my shop and increasing sales. Looking ahead, my focus is on expanding my presence on social media platforms. I recognize the importance of building a strong online presence and engaging with potential customers outside of the Etsy platform. By actively working on my social media accounts, I aim to attract a larger audience and direct them to my Etsy shop. This approach will enable me to tap into new customer bases and continue the growth of my business.

Managing LoveLightShungite

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 handle all aspects of managing my business. Here are some of the tools and apps that I rely on to effectively run my store:

Erank: I utilize Erank for all my SEO needs. It helps me optimize my listings and improve their visibility within the Etsy search engine.

Sheetgo: To keep track of my inventory, I use Sheetgo, an app that integrates seamlessly with Google Sheets. While it requires manual data entry, it has served me well thus far. As my business continues to grow, I'm exploring automated solutions to streamline inventory management.

Pirate Ship: For shipping purposes, I rely on Pirate Ship. This platform allows for easy order transfer and provides me with shipping discounts. It also enables me to work with multiple carriers, giving me flexibility and cost savings.

Paper & Spark: When I first opened my shop, I started using the Etsy Seller Spreadsheet from Paper & Spark. It has been an invaluable resource for tracking my sales and expenses. The spreadsheet simplifies importing data from Etsy and automatically calculates important figures for my business and tax purposes. Additionally, I've taken advantage of the tax classes offered by Paper & Spark to learn how to prepare my own taxes confidently.

As my business expands, I'm open to exploring additional tools and apps that can help streamline my operations and enhance the overall efficiency of my shop.

The future of LoveLightShungite

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

In the future, I have several goals for my shop. Firstly, I aim to establish a strong presence on social media platforms. By actively engaging with my target audience and sharing valuable content related to shungite and its benefits, I intend to drive more traffic to my Etsy shop and expand my customer base. Additionally, I am in the process of creating my own Shopify store. While Etsy has been a wonderful platform for my business, I recognize the importance of diversifying and having a presence outside of a single marketplace. Building my own online store will provide added security and give me greater control over my business. It ensures that I have an alternative platform in case of any unforeseen circumstances with Etsy, thereby safeguarding my business and customer relationships. Overall, my goals revolve around growing my brand, expanding my reach, and maintaining the highest level of customer satisfaction. By continually exploring new avenues for promotion and establishing a solid foundation, I am confident in the long-term success and growth of my shop.

Advice for new sellers

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

My advice to new sellers on Etsy is:

Title and Keywords: Invest time in researching and selecting effective keywords for your listing titles, targeting low-competition keywords. This will increase the chances of your listings appearing in relevant search results and attracting potential customers.

Pricing Strategy: Be mindful of your pricing. Utilize Etsy calculators to ensure that you factor in all costs, such as Etsy fees, shipping expenses, and materials. Determine a fair profit margin for yourself while remaining competitive in the market.

Quality Photography: Invest in good photography for your product listings. High-quality images attract customers and entice them to click on your listings. Depending on your product, consider using props or a photo box to create professional-looking pictures. Showcase your products from different angles and provide clear, well-lit images that accurately represent the item's appearance.

Customer Service: Treat your customers well and prioritize exceptional customer service. Send friendly messages after each new order to establish a relationship with your buyers. Respond to customer inquiries and messages promptly within 24 hours. Ship orders quickly and efficiently. By providing a 5-star experience, you'll leave a positive impression on your customers, leading to repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Building a successful Etsy shop takes time and dedication. Continuously evaluate and refine your strategies, and adapt to customer feedback. With strong listings and a customer-centric approach, you can establish a strong foundation for your Etsy business.