Etsy Seller Interview with Michelle of FlatterMeFashionsllc

How FlatterMeFashionsllc 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?

Hello, my name is Michelle Grandinetti. I am the founder and owner of my company and brand, Flatter Me Fashions. I started teaching myself how to sew and design in 2012. I worked around the clock perfecting my sewing and designing skills until I had enough practice and expertise to launch my brand. I created a line that was both comfortable and flattering and was very happy with it. All my designs are my original patterns and ideas. It took me five years to do this, along with buying supplies and inventory. I launched my company on Etsy in 2017.

Favorite items

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

I love all my designs, but making Babydolls is my favorite. They are so fun and flirty. I created a different style of baby doll that is unique and my very own original design. I love working with printed spandex and all the different prints and designs. Working with printed fabric has been my niche. My plaid print lingerie is my best seller. I have a wide selection of plaid print lingerie. Here are a couple of links to my best sellers.

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?

When I launched my Etsy shop in 2017, it was slow at first. I only had a handful of sales in the first year. I kept adding more products and improving my shop, and little by little, sales started coming. I always run sales and give discounts when I can. This really helps bring in the customers, because who doesn't love a good sale?

Managing FlatterMeFashionsllc

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 dedicated my basement to my workspace. I have everything organized and made it as manageable as possible. When I receive an order I pull the fabric and start sewing it myself. I make sure I keep up on machine maintenance and keep track of inventory by checking it weekly. I package and ship each order myself using a label printer and I purchase my labels straight from Etsy. I have found the perfect shipping packaging and labeling. It took me a while but I kept working on it and finally have a good system in place. 

The future of FlatterMeFashionsllc 

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

There is always room for improvement, and I am constantly working and trying to perfect my shop. I like to continually add new designs and styles, so I work a lot on making new patterns and designs. My goal is to keep growing my company and to be a name people know and love.