Etsy Seller Interview with Bea of Designs by Imogen

How Designs By Imogen 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, I’m Bea (Imogen). I started Designs by Imogen years ago to showcase some of the designs that I created in my spare time. I was a technical recruiter by day, but my true passion has always been creating items that would help people on their spiritual path. I lost my technical recruiting job due to COVID, so I am now doing this full-time. 

I always ask the Creator and Angels to help me create what others need most to help them on their spiritual path. I use various crystals when I create my designs and I have just added Bea’s Pine Needle Tea to my store.

I was enjoying pine needle tea from my farm and decided to share it with others. I had no idea how much it would take off! I enjoy creating teas almost as much as jewelry, protection charms and pendulums.

I also carry incense and other various hand created items from India. I have two vendors that I use for those items.

Favorite items

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

Bea’s Pine Needle Teas are my favorite right now. They are selling very well because of their ability to raise your immunity.

I also love this newest pendulum (sold out as of publishing) that I created.  All of my pendulums seem to do well. I wish I had more time to create them. And this protection charm.

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 months for me to see my first sale on Etsy. I had a large Ebay store and it was thriving.  I was extremely frustrated by the lack of business from Etsy, so I sat down and made a plan to change that.

The most important thing that I changed was the photos. I bought a nice camera and it made a HUGE difference!

I use the Etsy ads to promote my store and I keep track of every customer on the Putler application. It has been extremely valuable in letting me know when someone hasn’t ordered for awhile.

Managing Designs By Imogen

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?

Up until a couple of months ago, I was handling everything myself. I recently hired two employees who are wonderful at handling the fulfillment of the orders we receive.

The future of Designs By Imogen

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

Designs by Imogen will continue to evolve as the world continues to change. What works now, may not work in the future. 

When I was younger I would get an idea and push forward on a path even if it wasn’t working.  As I have aged, I have learned to let go of that stubbornness. If something isn’t working, I change it until it does.

Advice for new sellers

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

Take great photos! If something isn’t working like you think it should, change it up and try again.  

Keep moving forward and don’t give up!