How WrappedInLove4Cancer 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, WrappedInLove4Cancer, in 2015. I had been in the public relations and marketing profession for 30 years prior. My mom had been hospitalized a few years earlier with pulmonary fibrosis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It was Christmas Eve, and she told our immediate family that she didn't want any more visitors as she felt she looked too bad in her state of illness. I felt terrible, as I knew it would be her last Christmas with us. I wanted her to still feel special and maintain her dignity. I decided to go home and make her a pretty, makeshift shoulder wrap with a flower pin closure (she loved flowers). When I brought it into the hospital on Christmas day and put it around her and some lipstick and blush on her rosy cheeks, she perked up, and I saw her familiar smile again, even though briefly. The nurses commented on what a difference it makes to help someone who is ill still feel pretty and maintain their dignity. I knew then that I would start a business one day, inspired by my mom, to help women with cancer and other illnesses maintain their comfort, style, and dignity despite their illness.
I made the leap into starting my own business in 2015. Inspired by my mom, I called my company Wrapped in Love, as that's what my wraps are meant to do. I set out to design clothing and accessories for women with cancer to provide them with comfort, style, and dignity from treatment through recovery. My mom was my original inspiration and the reason why I created my signature shoulder wraps. I began to work with cancer patients and survivors to learn what other needs they had in terms of healing and comfort during their treatment and recovery. I conducted focus groups with these women to ensure my fabric was soft enough against their scalp and skin as I created headwear for hair loss, post-mastectomy clothing, PICC line sleeves, and other recovery clothing and accessories.
I create my designs, source my fabric, and manufacture them in my home state of Michigan. I hire cancer patients and survivors to participate in my photo shoots, have their makeup done, and make them feel like queens for the day! I market and sell my items on my website and in my Etsy shop, WrappedInLove4Cancer. Opening an Etsy shop was the best decision I ever made. I get eighty percent of my sales through my Etsy shop.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My shoulder wraps, post-mastectomy camisoles, headwear for hair loss, and inspirational socks are among the most popular items. My Tough Cookie socks are especially popular to purchase as gifts for friends and family undergoing medical treatment.
The post-mastectomy camisole was actually inspired by a breast cancer survivor who participated in one of my photo shoots. She told me she had recently completed her mastectomy surgery and was disappointed in the lack of post-mastectomy drain management clothing. She ended up pinning the drains to her clothing, and it was unsightly and uncomfortable. She made a makeshift camisole with pockets to hold and conceal her drains, and it worked. So, we decided we would work together to create a variety of camisoles with drain pockets in an array of beautiful colors. I named the camisole after her—Lauren. It has been one of the best selling items on my Etsy shop as it serves a critical need while being stylish and easy to put on, even with limited mobility. I always try to create a complete look so that my clothing and headwear for hair loss are a truly coordinated outfits and always stylish. Many of my items are accessorized with flowers, as my mom has always loved flowers and gardening.
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 remember making my first sale on Etsy the first week my shop went live. I was so excited. It reaffirmed my belief in the need for my products. It grew slowly but surely. And, as I gained more and more positive reviews, I sold more products. WrappedInLove4Cancer has a great reputation on Etsy and is known for having quality products and impeccable customer service. Many of my customers have been buying from me for years.
Managing WrappedInLove4Cancer
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 have worked with the same Etsy marketing specialist from day one, Kristy with New Start Consultant. She is a true expert at what she does. She created the Etsy shop, manages all SEO and listings, and has also helped drive traffic to the shop via Pinterest. She has used multiple tools to help me run the business, such as MarmaLead, Tailwind, and Canva, to help create graphics. I handle my own shipping and fulfillment from Michigan.
The future of WrappedInLove4Cancer
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I want to continue to expand my offerings for women with cancer based on their needs as they go through treatment and recovery. I also want to develop items for men and children going through cancer treatment.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Do your homework. Research potential customers before you launch your business to get their input regarding your product, price, etc. Know who your competition is out there and how your product will be different from theirs. Review the variety of Etsy shops to get ideas on how you will create yours. Investigate Etsy specialists that can help you build your shop. And finally, be patient. It may start to slow, but once customers start buying and leaving positive reviews, get ready to roll! Etsy is a great community for sellers and buyers.
WrappedInLove4Cancer
Fashionable Clothing for Women with Cancer
