Podcast Episode 216: What We Wish We Knew About Etsy—Before We Ever Opened Our Shops

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/sp7EJLQ_Auw

About Becca:

I’m a wife and mom to one wildly sassy little girl who keeps me humble and caffeinated. By degree, I’m a pediatric speech-language pathologist, but deep down, I’ve always had a soft spot for side hustles and creative chaos. My first official toe-dip into the online biz world was on Teachers Pay Teachers, making speech therapy and early childhood printables but it started to feel a lot like my day job with a fancier font. I’ve always designed party invites and printables for friends and family for fun, but it wasn’t until I stumbled across Lizzie’s podcast during a drive between patient visits that something shifted. You said, “There is room at the table for everyone,” and that line stopped me in my tracks. It felt like the sign I didn’t know I was waiting for. So, on March 8, 2025, I officially opened my Etsy shop—and I haven’t looked back (except to laugh at how long it took me to just go for it).

About Preston: 

Preston is a small town kid who loves supporting the local economy. 

He lives in Stamford, Texas and is husband to Sarah and fur-dad to three dogs and a cat. In the past three years, he has served as the Chamber of Commerce manager in his hometown helping small and local businesses grow and succeed.

He also has a rapidly growing laser engraving business with a niche in making locally themed leather patch hats. Since we last spoke to him November 2024 - His Etsy shop now has over 1000 sales and is grossing $3000 average monthly sales. He has now transitioned from working 3-4 jobs to focusing on Etsy full time - acquiring a small, local embroidery shop to add to his ever-growing product line and testing his skills with a Print on Demand side hustle. 

EPISODE SUMMARY:  

In this episode of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," I am thrilled to welcome two of my star students, Becca Miller and Preston Cox, to the podcast. Together, we dive into the invaluable lessons we've learned on our Etsy journeys, sharing insights that can help both new and seasoned sellers navigate the complexities of running an Etsy shop.

We kick off the episode by introducing Becca and Preston, highlighting their impressive achievements. Preston, who was my very first student back in 2021, has successfully transitioned to a full-time Etsy seller, replacing multiple jobs with his handmade products. Becca, on the other hand, has built her Etsy shop to generate $1,500 a month in passive income through digital products since launching in the spring of 2025. Their experiences provide a rich backdrop for our discussion. Becca emphasizes the importance of creating templates to streamline the listing process, allowing sellers to save time and maintain consistency. She explains how templates in Canva and dummy listings in Etsy can significantly reduce the time spent on product listings.

Next, we discuss the power of mock-ups. I share my experience with using professional photographs of blank products to showcase designs, which can enhance the visual appeal of listings and ultimately drive sales. Preston adds his perspective on using mock-ups for his handmade products, reinforcing the idea that good visuals are crucial for conversions.

We then tackle the often-daunting topic of shipping. Preston shares his insights on standardizing shipping processes, emphasizing that shipping doesn't have to be as complicated as it seems. He encourages sellers to embrace shipping costs and incorporate them into their pricing strategies, reminding listeners that fees are a normal part of doing business. As we continue, Becca introduces the use of AI tools, like ChatGPT, as a game changer for product development and design. She explains how AI can analyze existing listings and generate new product ideas, making it an invaluable resource for sellers looking to innovate and grow.

Throughout the episode, we stress the importance of managing expectations. I share my belief that Etsy is not a get-rich-quick scheme and that success often comes from consistent effort over time. We encourage listeners to focus on building their skills and understanding that growth may be gradual but is ultimately rewarding.

In closing, we remind our audience that perfectionism can hinder progress. Becca shares her journey of overcoming the need for perfection, emphasizing that it's more important to get products out into the world than to obsess over every detail. We hope this episode inspires you to take action, embrace the learning process, and cultivate your Etsy shop with confidence.

Join us for this engaging conversation filled with practical tips, personal anecdotes, and a supportive community spirit. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale your Etsy business, there's something here for everyone!

EPISODE DETAILS 

This week I'm chatting with some of my star students to save you a ton of time and prevent (fingers crossed) the headaches and hassles we faced as new Etsy sellers. We're spilling the tea about the time-saving tips, overcoming perfectionism, surprises-- good and bad, and biggest lessons learned along the way. This is a meaty one, friends! I can't wait to share it with you!

**“How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy” is not affiliated with or endorsed by Etsy.com 

STUFF I MENTIONED: 

⭐"How to Blow Up Your Etsy Shop" free training: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/interested-in-blow-up-shop 

⭐Scaling Society: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/scaling-society

Becca’s Episodes: 

Ep 189: Beginner Real Talk About Starting a Digital Product Etsy Shop

https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/blog/189 

Ep 211: Secrets to Fast Success Selling AI Digital Products

https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/blog/211 

Preston’s Episodes: 

Ep 156: What happens if you don’t give up on Etsy? 

https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/blog/156 

Ep 164: Lizzie's in the Etsy Coach Hot Seat

https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/blog/164 

Ep 183: Free, Underrated Local Resources That Can Help You Grow Your Business

https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/blog/183 

Ep 198: From Hobby Shop to Full Time Handmade Etsy Seller

https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/blog/198 

Connect: 

Where to find Preston:

Website - http://277creative.com/

Instagram - @277creative

Where to find Becca:

Email: [email protected]

HOW I HELP ETSY SELLERS GROW:

⭐Scaling Society: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/scaling-society

⭐"How to Blow Up Your Etsy Shop" free training: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/interested-in-blow-up-shop 

⭐Trendspotting: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/trendspotting

Use code KEEP20 to try your first month for $17 

----------------------

🎙️ Apply to be on the Podcast: https://sprw.io/stt-xfsV5fhDxxT3NJGVBghmWp

FIND LIZZIE:

Find me on Instagram and TikTok @HowtoSellYourStuff 

Apply to be on the Podcast: https://shorturl.at/skDBs

HOW TO SELL YOUR STUFF WEBSITE: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/ 

HOW TO SELL YOUR STUFF SHOWNOTES: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/blog/216 

*Some of the links above are affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. You can see my affiliate disclosure here: https://www.howtosellyourstuffonetsy.com/affiliate-disclosure