Etsy Seller Interview with Esther of FlolliePopDesigns

How FlolliePopDesigns 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?

Esther is here, owner and founder of FlolliePop Designs, where I design and sell personalized and engraved gift and homeware products. My range includes reclaimed oak wood signs, printed iconic characters and personalized tea towels and canvas prints, and wood and slate engraved kitchenware and gift products, which include cheese boards, butcher chopping blocks, breakfast and tea trays, coasters, and keepsake boxes. My main aim for my products is to bring personalized words, images, and logos to life so they can be shared and celebrated with friends and family through home accessories and gifts.

Coming from a gift-buying career and design degree background, I know how important quality and unique products are to people, plus it was important to me to add the customer's personalization to make the product their own. Since launching the business, I have used a few different processes, going back to my university degree years of creating screen, block, and lino printed textiles and then moving onto laser engraving and sublimation printers to see how the different styles and techniques work on different materials and how well they sell. A friend recommended Etsy to me, and after reviewing the other sellers and products on there, it seemed like an ideal opportunity where like-minded small creative businesses could come together and sell under one platform. Also, Etsy helps take the pain and time out of marketing and promoting the products. Plus, the uploading and admin side of putting products on Etsy and managing them is very easy and instant, which is key for me.

Favorite items

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

My personalized, engraved olive boards are my favorite product. Working with natural materials means every item is unique, and this is especially the case with our olive boards. Due to their unique markings and rough, live edge, each board is different in shape and appearance. These are also one of our best sellers because they are so versatile in being used as cheese boards, charcuterie boards, and chopping boards. They make great weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and new home gifts. Often, people buy them as gifts and then come back for another one for themselves.

I also love our reclaimed oak wood signs. I source the reclaimed oak planks, and after plenty of sanding, cutting, treating, engraving, and oiling (which enhances their beautiful characteristics), they get a new lease on life. I believe buyers like the rustic characteristics and sustainability of our signs.

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 shop and product line have evolved significantly since its inception in 2013.My first products were my printed collage and word art canvas prints, then I started creating similar designs on wood and slate using a laser engraver, and it soon started to take off, especially with the run-up to Christmas, which is when the sales really increased. I use social media and real-life markets as tools to bring customers to my Etsy shop. Also, Etsy advertises my products on a range of different platforms, which really helps drive traffic. Repeat business and recommended buyers are key for me.

Managing FlolliePopDesigns

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?

It is mainly me that manages the shop and business, from coming up with new product ideas, designing, sourcing, creating, making, and photographing the products, to doing all the emails, admin, social media posts, listings, accounts, etc. At busy times, I do get my husband involved, which is brilliant to have an extra pair of hands and another set of ideas, which really helps to inspire me. Plus, my dog and children are great listeners! I must admit that it is sometimes difficult to juggle everything and stay inspired, but I have discovered that the best way to stay on top of my work load is to manage my time well by assigning different tasks specific times. I also make sure my lead times are realistic so as not to put too much pressure on myself when selling and making the products. Plus, I write lots of lists!

The future of FlolliePopDesigns

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

Moving forward, I will be focusing on new and old products that complement each other. focusing on my key best sellers and developing them to expand my range. I am also going to look into working with resin and wood and adding some color to my shop. Plus, I'm looking at expanding and promoting my wedding and baby/children's range, which in turn will hopefully add interesting products to posts I make more regularly on my social media platforms, which will help promote my Etsy shop.

Advice for new sellers

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

I would recommend starting with about 10 products. Make the listing title, tags, and photos your main focus since these are key to how well the products will sell. Plus, make sure you have a good and sustainable profit margin while keeping your price in line with other products that are similar to yours. Then, look at the products that sell well or are popular, and create a line around them, expanding the product line and ideas from there. I know it is easier said than done, but try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Sales do not happen overnight; it takes time to find the right range and platforms, and if things don't sell, then look at trends, social media, shops, and a local Etsy market to get some amazing support from other sellers, feedback, and inspiration, and then grow from there. Also, always remember you will have ups and downs, which is the nature of a small business, and it is not for the fainthearted. But with a lot of love, care, creativity, hard work, and determination, you will get there!