Etsy Seller Interview with Ana and Maria of orikomi

How orikomi 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?

We are Ana Morgado and Carmo Caldeira, both Portuguese architects, and we founded Orikomi in November 2013 as a pop-up store with the main goal of raising funds for a non-profit organisation called Adobe for Women. This organisation aimed to support 20 women in building their own adobe houses. In January 2014, due to the brand's tremendous success, we decided to continue with Orikomi, and it turned out to be the best decision we have ever made.

Orikomi is an eco-friendly lighting brand that develops handcrafted products using the origami technique. Our products have a positive ecological impact due to their low energy consumption and complete recyclability, including the packaging. Since 2019, Orikomi has also offered carbon-free shipping through a partnership with Carbonfund.org. When we created Orikomi, our first and only shop was on Etsy, as we were already familiar with it as customers. After a couple of days, we had our first sale!

Favorite items

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

We recently launched the "Back to Earth Colours" collection, and it has been a success among our customers. We are absolutely in love with them too. Our bestseller since the brand was born has always been Orikomi Plain Polar White, as it is the safest choice that never compromises. However, with the launch of the new collection, the Smokey Sage colour has also taken its place among our timeless bestsellers. We believe it is because of its neutral and subtle tone, which creates harmony in any home.

In addition to ceiling lights, our wall lamps are also popular among buyers, who are now choosing the Creamy Oat colour to complement their homes. Finally, we can never forget the DIY collection, a favourite among children! Talking about these, the most famous one is the Airship Plain White, as it shows the best colour intensity when the light is on.

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 was incredibly fast. We opened our Etsy shop in the middle of November, and on the 22nd, we had our first sale! To continue attracting customers, I would say that it's important not only to have high-quality products but also to reflect this through visually appealing pictures, a well-organised shop, and relevant keywords.

We also create special offers or limited-time promotions, which are always a good way to increase sales.

Another captivating attribute that we believe is a major factor for our customers is the opportunity to enjoy free shipping to all European countries! This offer significantly helps in attracting more online shoppers, even from faraway places outside Portugal.

Managing orikomi

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?

Every business, even when small, has many different aspects that need to be addressed besides design and production. Therefore, we have a team of three members to effectively manage all aspects of selling products worldwide.

Regarding shipping, we have established partnerships with various carriers, enabling us to provide better services based on the country of destination. This significantly facilitates our daily shipping processes, as we utilise the carrier's platform to set up pickups.

The future of orikomi

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

As a small brand, our primary focus is to continue growing, and we are committed to pursuing various strategies to achieve this goal. One of our key priorities is the constant innovation and development of new designs. We understand the importance of staying ahead in the market, and as such, we invest time and resources in brainstorming fresh ideas that resonate with our customers.

Testing new products is an integral part of our approach to ensuring that we deliver high-quality offerings. We believe that rigorous testing and gathering feedback from potential customers are crucial steps in refining our products to meet the needs and preferences of our target audience.

In summary, we are dedicated to continuous growth and remain committed to our core values of creativity, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Advice for new sellers

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

The process of selling through Etsy is incredibly easy and highly customizable, allowing you to reach thousands of potential buyers.

Appealing photographs of your products are a key point that you cannot afford to miss. High-quality visuals can significantly enhance your listing's attractiveness.

Providing excellent customer service is crucial. Respond promptly and in a friendly manner to customer inquiries and messages. Building a positive relationship with customers can lead to repeat business and positive reviews.

Etsy provides comprehensive statistical analysis, so take the time to review it. This valuable data will help you better understand your customers' preferences and behaviours, enabling you to make informed decisions to improve your brand.