Etsy Seller Interview with Clarissa of MidnightbyVerbena

How MidnightbyVerbena 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?

Hey Y’all, I’m Clarissa, and I own Midnight by Verbena. I am a master herbalist, certified Reiki healer, women’s empowerment guide, artist, and avid gardener. I specialize in preserving the southern Appalachian folk herbalism and healing practices of my ancestors. My purpose is to walk with others as they rediscover their inner fire and authentic personal power. My story starts back in the 2008 recession, when I was curiously exploring living alongside and in sync with nature. Essentially, going back to my roots and living off the land

It wasn’t until 2018 that I made the (terrifying) decision to leave my job to commit myself fully to ‘rooting’ Midnight by Verbena. Turning to Etsy to get started was a no-brainer for me. I had been shopping here for years, and the platform’s back office was easy to navigate. Deciding what to offer took some time to cultivate. I knew I wanted to combine the old-world healing recipes of Appalachia with more modern tools like aromatherapy and metaphysical intention candles.

As I’ve grown both spiritually as a person and professionally as a business owner, I’ve noticed how important it is to keep things "in the family". I source all of my materials and supplies from my garden. What I can’t produce on my own, I seek out in other local, small businesses in my community and neighboring towns. My goal is to pour back into them in all the ways they have supported me over the years.

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 are my "Wheel of the Year" candles and the botanical soaps! They’re popular due to the great deal of effort and care that goes into them. From writing the recipes, researching, selecting the materials, the praying that goes into them, etc. Every step has ancestral wisdom woven into it, and it reflects

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 didn’t take long. Within a few weeks of opening, I sold my first candle. I try to utilize every avenue of marketing and advertising I can. Business cards pinned to every bulletin board, Etsy ads, social media channels, Facebook groups, attending festivals and events, word of mouth, etc. The biggest one is introducing myself. Energy doesn’t lie in this profession, and first impressions are important. I listen more than I talk when it comes to assisting my clients.

Managing MidnightbyVerbena

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?

At this moment in time, it is only me. I wear many hats at Midnight by Verbena, but I also delegate when I can. I love what I do, and because of that, it’s easy for me to work 16-hour days, 7 days a week. Setting a routine and schedule has helped me avoid burnout. I give myself hours of operation, set automated away messages for customers when I’m away from my desk, set USPS pick-up days for shipments going out, and so on.

Having the Etsy app on my phone has been helpful for working on the go. It allows me to respond to direct messages from customers by updating listings, tracking information, etc. Scheduling out marketing posts on social media has been seamless with apps like Hootsuite. It allows me to spend less time creating content and more time creating inventory. As far as accounting, Quickbooks has been a lifesaver! It’s easy to use and stress-free; I’m able to link Esty, Paypal, and all my accounts to it.

The future of MidnightbyVerbena

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

I’d love to expand to a brick-and-mortar location for folks to visit to unwind, host classes, have guest speakers, and attend other community gatherings. We’ve been setting up at various in-person vending events across the Gulf Coast and have been received with overwhelming positivity. This kind of momentum pulls at my heartstrings because this is quite literally my heart's purpose.

Advice for new sellers

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

No matter how difficult it gets, do not give up. Running a small business is hard work. It’s full of ups and downs, twists, and turns. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Consistency, self-discipline, ambition, focus, and determination are important traits to cultivate. They come with practice. Tapping into your creativity won’t hurt either. Attend every networking event you can with plenty of business cards. Lastly, you are the product of your product. Believe in your vision.