Etsy Seller Interview with Karina of SoftVinylDecor

How SoftVinylDecor 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?

In the fall of 2018, I went on a wall decor journey when I decided to renovate my apartment. I was looking for something special, unique, and safe to liven up my interior. It was during this search for simple wall decor that I stumbled across the Etsy platform and discovered vinyl decals. The ability to create unique decorative items fascinated me, and I decided to delve into this area.

However, when I ordered a decal from a local seller, I was disappointed with the quality. They promised that their stickers were safe and durable, but in reality, they started peeling off and their colors faded quickly. I realized that I needed to create something better, something safe, and something of high quality. That's when the idea was born to start my own small vinyl sticker business. I believed that I could offer people real value by creating safe and unique vinyl stickers that would bring only positive experiences and save them from my negative experiences.

My passion for this endeavor continued to grow, and in December 2018, I made the decision to open my own Etsy shop, calling it SoftVinylDecor. Setting up my own vinyl sticker shop was challenging, as I needed to acquire the skills and knowledge of the technical production process. However, I was constantly learning, experimenting, and improving my skills. Even after so many years, I still need to learn a few things to keep up with modern technology. I have researched, carefully selected high-quality materials, and developed unique designs to ensure that every decal I create is truly exceptional. My goal was not only to meet the needs of our clients but to exceed their expectations.

I take pride in being able to offer customers stickers that not only transform their homes but also instill confidence in their safety and longevity. My journey as an entrepreneur continues, and I hope that SoftVinylDecor will continue to grow and bring joy to many people. My dream has come true, and I'm proud to do what I really love.

Favorite items

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

This is a very interesting question because every design I create is associated with certain emotional feelings. The general purpose of my vinyl decals is to perfectly complement the children's nursery, so I try to put only positive feelings into each design and create them with sincere warmth. Out of all the stickers in my shop, I would like to highlight a few designs because they were inspired by the children of my good friends.

Unfortunately, not all of these decals sell well. When they are still bought, imagine how nice it is to see them, because the sincere kindness and positiveness of the child inspired me to create these designs. The time we spent together and our thoughts and feelings are reflected in these designs. Of course, when people are interested in such vinyl stickers and are ready to apply them in their homes, it's true; it's very motivating. I am grateful to all buyers who decide to buy these vinyl decals.

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 received my first order relatively quickly and started my Etsy journey. I didn’t know a lot, and it was exciting. In my store, at the time of the first order, there were about 25 different children's vinyl decals, and I received my first order about two weeks after I took the first step and posted my first product.

At the moment, I use several methods to attract customers to my store. I use tools such as internal advertising from the Etsy marketplace itself and external advertising that Etsy offers, but I also additionally advertise my products on Pinterest, as well as do SEO for Etsy Search.

I would be very interested in getting experience in advertising my product with well-known bloggers or home decor studios, as I consider my main advantage to be that I can make individual orders using sketches or ready-made designs from my buyers.

Managing SoftVinylDecor

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?

In managing my store, there are certain rules that we follow, namely, to give the client exactly what he wants and a little more! I take care of customer service, but I also take care of important work processes and non-standard issues that arise in our work. My brother works with me and is responsible for the production of stickers and their delivery to our customers. When there are difficulties with the execution of an order or delivery, I personally control all processes in order to solve the problem as quickly as possible so that our buyer gets only a positive shopping experience in our SoftVinylDecor store.

In my work, I use a service such as eRank, which helps a lot to analyze my niche and competently carry out certain tasks with my goods. The main programs in which we work are, of course, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Grammarly.

Since I live in Ukraine and fulfill and send all my orders from here, a lot of time is devoted to the issue of delivery in my work. I restored my small business on February 24, 2022. At the moment, all my orders reach the buyers on time. Now it is very difficult for me to convey to people that they can safely buy in my store, despite the fact that I am from Ukraine and that their order will reach them on time, safely, and sound. In my work, I use various postal services, such as UPS, FedEx, and others. full confidence, I want people to know and be sure that, despite the fact that I am in Ukraine, you can safely order in my store and your order will definitely come to you.

The future of SoftVinylDecor 

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

In the future, I will set several ambitious goals for my store, aimed at providing customers with high-quality and environmentally safe products for decorating children's rooms.

First and foremost, I strive to offer people only top-quality products. All of my merchandise, including both children's vinyl wall decals and wallpaper in the future, will be produced using cutting-edge technologies and materials to ensure vibrant and detailed images.

Additionally, I pay great attention to the environmental aspects of production. My packaging is becoming more eco-friendly by utilizing recyclable and safe materials, reducing the use of plastic, and minimizing waste. This not only helps protect the environment but also empowers customers to make conscious choices in favor of eco-friendly products.

An important aspect of my business is the use of HP's eco-friendly latex ink technology for printing colorful wall stickers and wallpapers in the future. This technology not only ensures the high quality and durability of the images but is also environmentally safe, free from harmful substances. As a result, my customers can rest assured that the products do not emit odors and are safe for use in children's rooms.

All these measures and innovations are aimed at providing my customers with the best purchasing and user experience. I aspire to create a store that offers not only beautiful and functional decorative items but also products that meet high standards of quality, environmental safety, and longevity.

In the future, I also plan to continue expanding my product line, introducing new designs and decoration options to cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of my customers. I believe that every child's room should be unique and magical, and my goal is to assist parents in creating such a space for their children.

I hope that my efforts toward quality, environmental safety, and product diversity will make my store the preferred choice for parents seeking beautiful and reliable decor for their children's rooms.

Advice for new sellers

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

If you've opened your store on Etsy, I can provide you with a few recommendations based on my personal experience:

Research the market and identify what sets you apart from your competitors. Create unique and high-quality products that will grab the attention of buyers.

Promote your store: Utilize Etsy's marketing tools such as keywords, tags, and compelling product descriptions to make your store easily discoverable. Advertise your products through social media platforms and blogs to expand your audience.

Provide excellent customer service: Be polite and responsive in your communication with customers. Strive for prompt order processing and shipping. Offer detailed product information and always be ready to answer customer inquiries.

Develop your brand: Create a unique style and logo for your store. Package your products in beautiful and professional packaging. Aim for continuous improvement and innovation to make your brand recognizable and appealing.

Remember that success on Etsy takes time. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Stay committed to your goals and keep refining your strategies. With dedication and perseverance, you can achieve great things on the Etsy platform. Best of luck!