Etsy Seller Interview with Maya of PartySuppliesDigital

How PartySuppliesDigital 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 store began in 2017 while I was working as a babysitter. I was also attending 7 while I was working as a babysitter. I was also attending college, so money was an issue. I got inspired by my job (taking care of babies and children), so I started making printables for birthdays and important baby milestones since my employers were always working and I wanted them to see babies' first steps, first words, etc. I started making printables for children, but after a year I decided to start making printables for adult birthdays, weddings, and baby shower events,...

The beginning was not easy, but I was determined to be successful and worked two jobs; during the day I was babysitting, and nights were reserved for Etsy and making new printables. I want to support small businesses, so when I do not have time to make my own clipart, I love to buy it from other Etsy sellers. I became a mom six months ago, so I’ve been purchasing clipart files from other Etsy sellers more, and it is a win-win situation!

Favorite items

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

I started selling birthday boards, and my favorite product is definitely the black and gold birthday poster:

This poster is like a dream come true. The process of making this poster is for me the most interesting thing since I am spending a lot of time surfing online in order to find interesting fun facts, prices for products, popular TV shows, etc. Since it is a digital file, people from around the world can purchase it and print it at any local or online store. So it is an affordable item, ready to print in just a few hours, and most importantly, it is a unique gift.

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 extremely lucky; I had my first sale after four days! I couldn’t believe it. Currently, I use social media to engage with my customers, and many of them are returning to my shop almost every year. Etsy ads are also an important tool, and they work great for me!

Managing PartySuppliesDigital

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 am the creator and manager of my shop. This is the place where I go to relax, make new things, and communicate with my customers. My main goal is a happy and satisfied customer, and I am always available for any questions or modifications. I use Photoshop, Illustrator, and Pinterest for promoting my work. Since I only sell digital files, I can easily run them from my computer.

The future of PartySuppliesDigital

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

In the future, I would like to continue to add new designs and maybe learn a new skill, but in the meantime, I am a stay-at-home mom with a successful Etsy shop selling digital files.

Advice for new sellers

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

Be yourself and be creative. I think anything is possible if you have the mindset, the will, and the desire to do it and put in the time.