Etsy Seller Interview with Yvy of TheCarbonCrusader

How TheCarbonCrusader 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?

Hi! My name is Yvy, and I run The Carbon Crusader. I got the idea for my business because I have been writing by hand for a very long time, and I wanted to create pencils that were made for me with quotes I liked that I could read. I am left-handed, and at the time, what was available was really limited and wasn’t made for left-handed writers with an attitude, which I definitely have.

From the beginning, I had to create from my own home because the manufacturers at the time would not print profanity or products for left-handed people, so I had to work from home with lasers and my imagination. At first, I wasn’t sure if people would like what I created, and it felt quite risky. I was surprised and very happy that there was a positive response, and I loved creating custom products as well as ready-to-buy pens, pencils, and buttons for my growing customer base. I found that the more I trusted my voice and the things I liked, the easier it was for me to find my audience. It was super rewarding, and it’s been a wonderful journey.

Favorite items

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

I love all of my products, but I do get extra happy when people choose carpenter pencils, such as the custom listings, because the pencils themselves look really beautiful to me, and I love making them and packaging them too.

I think people like them because they are good quality and they are made with the end user in mind. Something custom is always such a wonderful gift. I also love my accountant's quotes; they make people laugh a lot, and making people happy makes me feel really good. I also like the variety of colours; I find it visually satisfying.

I also love my pens, and especially this one; it simply makes me laugh, and hot pink is my favourite colour. I love how my pens write, too.

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 took two months because I didn’t add anything immediately. I was fortunate to have had buyers who were waiting for me because I had tested my products before opening up the shop on Etsy. I currently get customers to my shop by selling in person, word of mouth, repeat customers, and social media. Everything you do that spreads awareness helps, and I have been very fortunate.

Managing TheCarbonCrusader

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?

Usually I have people who work with me and help me create, pack, and ship orders. Presently, I am doing it on my own because I wanted to. I use Shipstation and Etsy to fulfil my orders, and it is really easy. Because I have been doing it for so long, it’s automatic. I also have a system that allows me to train people quickly and easily, which is amazing. If you have a lot of steps to manage your shop, creating a system that will enable you to train new employees quickly and easily is a wonderful asset.

The future of TheCarbonCrusader

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

I am often thinking about new product ideas, so I want to expand the line a bit. I primarily want to do as much custom work as possible, though. I really enjoy it; it gives me a lot of satisfaction and happiness. Whatever I sell, I have to be comfortable using it; I have to actually feel good about it. So I have been slowly and methodically expanding over time as I grow and change.

Advice for new sellers

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

Every seller has their own ideas about what makes them successful and how to work. Ultimately, you have to figure out why YOU are doing it and how to make it work for you. If you aren’t enjoying it and you don’t love what you’re selling, if that is something you value, you won’t feel good about it no matter how much you make.

Individuals measure success differently, and it’s up to you to define it for yourself. Having a good grasp of who you are, what you want, and how you want to do business will help you stay the course in your goals and progress and will lead you to greater satisfaction because you’ll happily keep working at it, no matter what’s going on around you or outside of you.

I also think it’s very important to be as personally satisfied outside of your business as possible to bring your best mind to it. Stable, supportive, kind relationships—those with others and those with yourself—will allow you to handle the ups and downs that can come from selling online. It is an amazing adventure and a wonderful platform, and if you nurture yourself as well as your shop, you can have a great experience. I have loved selling on Etsy. I have met amazing people and learned so much on my journey. I have started coaching new sellers and find the process extremely rewarding, and I get just as excited by their sales as they do. I love the platform, and I think the key is figuring out your goals and your why, and you can absolutely enjoy the process.