Etsy Seller Interview with Jackie of FlickerandScent

How FlickerandScent 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 had always wanted to set up an Etsy store but never had the time to research what I would sell and how I would go about setting it all up. So when I was furloughed from my job due to COVID in March 2020, being stuck at home with endless time on my hands seemed like the perfect opportunity. I had always loved perfumes and aromas, especially around the house, and had an interest in well-being, so I decided to start making and selling my own home fragrances and bath salts. I was keen to create natural products, so after a couple of months of researching which materials to use and learning how to make them, Flicker and Scent was born! I opened the shop in May 2021 and haven’t looked back since!

One of the things I considered as a priority when setting up my little home fragrance and well-being Etsy store, was that being eco-friendly and responsible would be at the heart of all I did. From sourcing natural ingredients to eco-friendly packaging, my aim was to build a high-quality, ethical brand! I ensure that the ingredients used to make my products are natural, vegan, and environmentally friendly, from using 100% natural soy wax in my melts to organic natural salts and coconut milk powder in my bath soaks.  It is also worth remembering that these are kind to you as well as our planet - avoiding modern man-made toxic materials which often cause chemical sensitivity and allergic reactions.  As well as making the wax melts and bath soaks,  I design, create and print all my own packaging, I use cardboard and paper packaging as much as possible and avoid plastic wherever I can. The melts are packaged in environmentally friendly glassine bags and card postal boxes. The only plastic currently used is the tray inserts in the selection boxes as sometimes it is so difficult to find an alternative, so if I do need to turn to plastic goods, I ensure that they are 100% recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable.

Favorite items

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

The Aromatherapy Collection Wax Melts are definitely my favorites. Made from soy wax infused with pure essential oils and botanicals, I feel they fit my brand because they are 100% natural and have therapeutic benefits. The inspiration for creating the aromatherapy wax melt collection came from my interest in essential oils and their natural healing properties. Once melted, the wax releases fragrance molecules from the essential oils that have a positive effect on our well-being. I love mixing my own essential oil blends and am constantly adding to the collection, so there is plenty of choices to suit every mood! The Aromatherapy Wax Melts have become one of my best sellers and receive great reviews.

Another of my favorite products is the aromatherapy bath soaks. These beautiful, handmade aromatherapy bath soaks are 100% natural, made with pure essential oils, and enriched with coconut milk, colloidal organic oats, and Epsom and Himalayan salts. As well as giving a wonderful aroma to the bath, the soaks will leave the skin nourished and moisturised. They also benefit health and emotional well-being because, when the essential oils are absorbed through the skin and inhaled, they can invigorate tired bodies as well as relieve stress and lift the mood. There are four blends available, all of which have undergone relevant safety testing by a chartered chemist and are fully compliant with UK and EU law.

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?

My first sale was within a week of opening my shop in May 2021. Sales were relatively slow at first, as summer is my quieter period, but by September, sales started increasing rapidly! I use social media (mainly Instagram) as well as Pinterest to attract customers.

Managing FlickerandScent

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 run my Etsy shop by myself, but I do enlist the help of my very supportive partner, Michael, to help with packaging and post office runs in my busier periods. I use Royal Mail to ship and purchase/print my postage labels directly from Etsy using integrated shipping. I find this an excellent service as it saves both time and money.

The future of FlickerandScent

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

I aim to continue to add more fragrances for choice, particularly concentrating on the aromatherapy side. I am also looking at developing more products using essential oils, such as eye pillows, room sprays, and shower steamers. Although I now have my own website, I will keep my Etsy store going, as this is where the majority of my sales come from, and I find it an excellent selling platform.

Advice for new sellers

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

Do not give up if sales seem slow initially, as things will pick up. As sales and reviews increase, so does your visibility on Etsy. Also, play around with key words in your listing’s title and tags; these are very important. Use eye-catching product photos and create branding that will attract attention.

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: Depending on the time of year—September to March are busier than the summer months—my average monthly revenue was £1,700 last year.

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: Average conversion rate = 6%