Etsy Seller Interview with Monika of OchMonika

How OchMonika 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 there! I'm Monika, and I run a little shop called OchMonika on Etsy. Let me share the story of how it all came to be. It started back in January 2020, when I decided to create an art account on Instagram. You can find me at @och_monika. Honestly, I didn't have much drawing experience at the time, and I never even imagined that it could become such an important part of my life. I simply posted my drawings for fun and to build up a collection of my illustrations.

In the beginning, my account didn't attract much attention, but I kept sharing my drawings anyway. Then something incredible happened. Over time, more and more people started noticing my work, and I was overwhelmed with the positive feedback I received. It was truly heartwarming and gave me a tremendous amount of motivation. People began asking if they could purchase my illustrations, and when those requests became regular, I realized it was time to take the next step.

As an avid Instagram user, I followed several artists who sold their creations on Etsy. Seeing their success inspired me to give it a try myself. So, I immersed myself in research, reading articles, and watching YouTube videos to learn everything I could. International shipping, creating listings, photography tips, finding the right printer and paper—there was so much to consider. It was definitely a challenge, but I approached it with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, which made the process a little easier.

Initially, my focus in the shop was on selling my illustrations and cards. However, about a year into the journey, I got hold of a plotter and started making sticker sheets. To my surprise, they turned out to be quite popular! So, most of the products you'll find in my store are still created by me, from the initial design to the finished product.

Over time, though, I felt the desire to diversify my offerings. That's when I introduced notepads into the store, which I now outsource to a local company here in Poland. It's been a wonderful opportunity to provide something different for my customers while also supporting a local business.

Looking back, it's been quite an adventure, and I feel incredibly grateful for how everything has unfolded. Sharing my art with the world has brought me immense joy, and I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out.

Favorite items

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

I absolutely adore my sticker sheets—they're hands down my favorite product! There's something about creating these adorable elements that brings me so much joy. I love exploring different themes like "Booklover," "Magical Forest," or "Cozy Christmas." But most of the time, I just draw whatever speaks to my heart, like teapots, cups of all kinds, mushrooms, and, of course, flowers. I never tire of bringing these things to life on paper. 

The best part is the overwhelmingly positive response I receive for my sticker sheets. It truly makes a difference when you create something that resonates with your audience. Seeing their excitement and appreciation is incredibly rewarding. It's a win-win situation—I get to create what I love the most, and my audience loves it too!

Now, picking a single favorite sticker sheet That's a tough call. However, I can share some of my personal favorites with you:

Let me tell you about something interesting—the set of three sticker sheets. This listing allows customers to create their own customized set by choosing any three sticker sheets from the available options. It's even slightly cheaper than purchasing three sheets separately. When I was preparing to open my Etsy store, I read that offering bundles was a great idea and often sold well. From my experience, I can definitely confirm that. It has become my most profitable listing, despite not being one of the oldest ones.

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?

My very first sale happened on the same day I opened my shop, which might not be the typical Etsy experience for everyone. But I was fortunate enough to already have a small community on Instagram, and they were potential customers. Naturally, I made an announcement on my Instagram about my shop opening, and shortly after, I received my first sale. If I recall correctly, I might have had around two orders on that first day. It goes to show that selling on Etsy is more of a marathon than a sprint, so don't give up!

To this day, I'm still active on Instagram because it's still a powerful platform for capturing the attention of new customers. I often share reels where I showcase myself drawing new stickers and cutting them out using my plotter, which tends to catch the eye of newcomers. On my Instagram stories, I offer sneak peeks of the latest products I'm working on, sometimes seeking my followers' opinions through polls. In addition to running my Etsy shop, I also freelance and create illustrations for individuals and companies worldwide. As a result, I can't always dedicate as much time to my shop and social media as I'd like. And I still have much to learn, especially when it comes to marketing.

Managing OchMonika

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?

That's right, I handle every aspect of my Etsy store myself. From customer service to designing new products, placing orders, printing, packing, and shipping—you name it, I do it. It's a lot to juggle, and my to-do list seems never-ending. And on top of that, I'm also a freelance illustrator. So, things are always bustling around here, and there's never a dull moment!

I would like to give a special shoutout to my mom, though. She lends a hand and helps me pack orders whenever I have a sale and the workload gets a bit overwhelming. And my boyfriend is amazing too. We can spend hours discussing my plans, and together we come up with the best solutions and strategies. While I handle most things on my own, I'm truly grateful for the incredible support system I have with loved ones I can always count on unconditionally.

When it comes to creating my products, I heavily rely on my trusty printer, the Canon Pixma Pro 100s, and my plotter, the Silhouette Portrait 3. All my designs are created on my beloved iPad Pro using the Procreate app—it's my go-to for digital artwork. For photo editing, I often turn to the Snapseed app. And when I need to create banners or listing graphics, Canva is my reliable companion. As for mockups, I utilize Photoshop for that. These are the tools and programs I find myself using the most!

Luckily, since most of my products are paper-based and relatively lightweight, shipping is not too complicated. The costs are reasonable, and I don't have to stress too much about items arriving damaged. I ship everything through the local post office, which happens to be conveniently close to my home.

The future of OchMonika

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

To be honest, I haven't set a specific goal for myself, and I understand that may not be the most strategic approach from a business standpoint. But I believe in being genuine and transparent, so I won't pretend to have everything figured out when I don't. At this stage of my life, in my mid-twenties, I'm still discovering what truly brings me joy, both personally and professionally. I've realized that I've been pushing myself too hard, striving for goals that were more about meeting others' expectations than my own.

Now, I'm taking a step back and allowing myself the time and space to gain a deeper understanding of what I truly want. While I may not have a concrete objective, there is one aspect of my shop that remains unwavering: to create things that genuinely bring me happiness and joy and bring joy to others. That's the perfect combination, in my opinion.

I believe that by focusing on creating what truly resonates with me, I can deliver products that carry an authentic sense of joy. It's a continuous journey of self-discovery, where I'm learning and growing along the way. So, even though I may not have a specific target in mind, I try to approach each day with gratitude, cherishing every opportunity to create and bring smiles to people's faces.

Advice for new sellers

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

Here's my advice: don't overthink everything. It's important to do your research, absolutely. That's a crucial step. But eventually, you'll reach a point where you have to take that big leap and embrace a little risk. Articles and YouTube videos can provide valuable insights, but there are certain lessons that only experience can teach you. It's natural to feel apprehensive about venturing into the unknown. No matter how much time we spend researching, there will always be unexpected surprises that we must learn to overcome. It's simply unavoidable.

I've been running my Etsy shop since 2020, and guess what? I'm still learning and encountering new challenges that need solving. But here's the thing: you have to trust in your future self. Trust that you'll have the ability to handle whatever comes your way. Just give it your best shot and keep moving forward.