Etsy Seller Interview with Melissa of ElegantRoseBoutique

How ElegantRoseBoutique 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 Elegant Rose Boutique in 2009 after seeing my daughter have success selling doll clothes for American Girl dolls. I started out selling angels and rice bags, had a few sales, and within a few months I decided to give soap making a try. We seemed to have reactions to a lot of the chemical soap in the stores, and I was having to find alternatives anyway. With 8 children, it just made sense to make my own. I started with a small tray that held 12 soaps, so a pretty small batch size. Now, we make 240 bars at a time in 4 big batches.

All of our products are created in-house by myself or my children. I created all of the recipes, many times tweaking them to get the results in the bar that I wanted. Making soap is a science; each ingredient produces moisture or lather, so finding the right ratios is a delicate balance.

Favorite items

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

Our shampoo bars are one of my favorites. I always struggled with flaky scalp, but it turns out I was reacting to the store-bought shampoos, as that issue has been gone for years since I started using our shampoo bars. When I first started, I couldn’t believe how soft and how much body my hair had. Before using our shampoo bars, I had to use conditioner every single time I brushed through my hair, which in turn weighed my hair down. I no longer need conditioner! We have shampoo bars for all hair types and conditions.

One of my favorite soaps is Rooibos tea. It’s an unscented bar, but the combination of tea leaves for a mild scrub and the amazing lather it creates make it a favorite

Lastly, our skin care products are amazing. I spend a lot of time searching for ingredients to bring out the best in your skin without compromising on quality. I refuse to use anything that isn’t natural. I’ll find a way to work around that issue. We have natural sunscreens for those allergic to coconut or palm oil and regular sunscreen in addition to facial care, masks, toners, etc..

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 a few weeks to get my first sale. I’ve been on Etsy for 13 years now, and it’s all about being seen. I renew items every single day to keep them in the queue. I also provide great customer service, which, in my mind, is our greatest strength next to our product line.

Managing ElegantRoseBoutique

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 am the main manager of my shop, and I do have 3–4 of my grown children helping out by making soap, shipping orders, and making products. I use the Etsy Marketing Tool to renew products every day automatically. It will save you time. I also use the Shopify app for my website; it allows me to do things on the go, which is great! USPS picks up at my front door every day, and they provide tubs for me to put the shipping boxes in, so it’s made it really easy.

The future of ElegantRoseBoutique

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

My goals are to provide quality natural products and gifts to a broader market. I currently sell on my own website, which has been growing like crazy with the introduction of our coconut-free products.

Advice for new sellers

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

Things that have worked for me:

1. Sell items in a wide price range, thus attracting a larger audience.
2. Renew your products every day or you'll get lost in the shuffle on Etsy.
3. Take care of your customers.
4. Do background research to make sure your market isn’t saturated. If it is, create something unique so that you stand out in the crowd.
5. Make something unique about your packaging.
6. Thank your clients.