Etsy Seller Interview with Amanda of AfSpire

How AfSpire 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?

My name is Amanda Ofosu-Agyei, owner, designer, and founder of AfSpie Ltd. on Etsy. I make and sell African-print accessories for men, women, and children, as well as soft furnishings and gifts for all the family. I started selling on Etsy in late November 2018. My intention at the time was to sell a few handmade products to share my love of African print fabric as well as my passion for creating things from scratch. Two things women pay particular attention to are their hair and skin. So Satin Lined Bonnets were one of my first products. There were many competitors out there, but there were very few who provided a variety of sizes. I decided to offer five different sizes based on the length and volume of the hair. This worked wonders, and the range attracted buyers from all over the world with a diverse range of customers. These satin-lined bonnets became the best sellers of 2020 and 2021, later expanding the range to include children over 12 months old.

After lots of positive feedback on my customer service, attention to detail, and the quality of my products, I threw caution to the wind and started to make a wide range of products to attract more customers. I went from making satin-lined bonnets with and without elastic to baby accessories, men's accessories, soft furnishings, and gifts. I make custom and bulk orders and ship worldwide. I design and make all my products myself, to perfection, in my little studio at home.

Favorite items

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

My favorite items in my shop are the lanyards, foldable scatter boxes, and baby bibs and booties. I use my lanyard at work and have sold a number there, so my brand is floating around in government. The foldable scatter boxes are a lovely addition to any home, easy to fold and store but strong enough to stand upright and hold a variety of items. Last of all, the baby bibs and booties—who doesn’t love baby products? They look so cute, and every piece is unique in its own way. All of these products sell very well, with the bibs, booties, and lanyards popular as gifts.

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 made my first sale on Etsy within a month of opening my shop. I think the correct use of keywords aided this. It is key to include the right descriptor words when creating a listing. I currently attract customers to my Etsy shop using social media tools such as Tik Tok, Instagram, and  Facebook.

Managing AfSpire

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 currently manage my shop by myself with assistance from my daughter to help with shipping. I use Photo Editor and Photo Room to help with photos for my listings and marketing. I ship on a daily basis, producing shipping labels, packaging, and, in some cases, gift wrapping.

The future of AfSpire

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

I have a strong digital and technology background and am planning to set up my own ecommerce website with assistance from a friend who has experience with website design and hosting. However, I do intend on keeping a presence on Etsy.

Advice for new sellers

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

My number one piece of advice for new sellers is belief. Believe in yourself and what you can achieve on your journey. Have patience and be prepared to use constructive feedback to improve your work and increase the visibility of your brand. Do your market research and invest in training to help you portray your business in a positive light and attract new customers as well as repeat business. Some say that "good things come to those who wait," but I believe that "success is in the hands of the creator."