Etsy Seller Interview with Erica of SpectrumCosmetics

How SpectrumCosmetics 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?

I started my Etsy shop while I was pregnant with my son. I wanted to do something that would give me the flexibility to work around the schedules of my children so I could be present for everything. All the "firsts" that I unfortunately missed out on with my oldest son For quite some time, I had been developing makeup and beauty products. Friends and family were already asking to purchase the products, so not long after that, "Spectrum Cosmetics" was born.

Favorite items

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

I have so many favorite items! I put so much thought into each product, so they’re all special to me. My favorite products, though, are absolutely the nail polishes. Some of my favorites are "Shattered Pumpkin," which was inspired by the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" story.

The Fairy Tale collection is one of my all-time favorites. Each of the 17 shades in that collection is a linear holographic nail polish. I love each of them, but Mirror Mirror and Enchanted Rose are not only my favorites but customer favorites as well.

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?

When I first started selling, there were only a handful of shops on Etsy that sold makeup. Within the first couple days, I was already making sales. I put a lot of effort into promotion, posting on makeup forums, blogs, Youtube, etc. I started a YouTube channel and was promoting new products there. I would host makeup contests, which were so much fun! I’ve always enjoyed getting to know my customers and interacting with them on a more personal level. Now, I use Facebook and Instagram to connect with my customers.

Managing SpectrumCosmetics 

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?

It’s only me; I do everything. I formulate and package all the products, create all the labels and packaging, fill all the orders, and pack and ship each order myself. Luckily, Etsy has made shipping very easy, so I am able to purchase and print the shipping labels directly from the site.

The future of SpectrumCosmetics 

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

My main goal for the near future is expanding all the product lines. Product development is hands-down my favorite part of my job. I will be adding new shades and fragrances in the coming weeks. Although I currently offer cologne, I’m really excited to expand my men's line!

Advice for new sellers

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

The best advice that I think I can offer someone who wants to start their own business is to do research. Absorb as much information about your industry as you can. Promote yourself as much as you can; get your name out there. Have realistic expectations. Don't expect to be an overnight success, but if you put in the work, you will be successful. Even slow progress is still progress.

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

When I first started, I remember being so thrilled that I was making $800 a week. I never dreamed that I would be able to make more than what I was earning at a "normal" job at the time. My largest single sale a couple years later was over $10,000.