How fluoshop 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´m Sandra, the owner and founder of fluoshop on Etsy. Fluo is a design label specialized in the creation of products used in interior design, fashion, and everyday life. Our designs are characterized by the use of simple forms, the sensitive handling of materials, and a sure sense of proportion. The approach of making useful things precise is an important aspect.Using mostly natural, high-quality materials, we create functional, long-lasting products in a pure, elegant, and simple way. I founded the label during my studies at the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg, Germany, with my best friend Ilke Penzlien. At that time, we didn't use the internet or any other tools to sell our first small editions of products. We organized pop-up shops in Berlin and Hamburg with friends from different fields such as art, fashion, music, and photography. It was a great time, and we did many different things, from lighting to furniture, minimal leather goods, and some fashion items.
We were lucky that a German curator at MoMA was a fan of our fluo bag, and there was an article about him holding our bag in the New York Times. Through him, we sold our classic fluo bag many times, and the label became more successful. At that time, Ilke's sister, who lives in New York, told us several times about a platform called Etsy, but we had never heard of it in Germany and ignored it. Years later, I was already running a shop on my own when I signed up for Etsy.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My favorite products are still the ones I started with: the simple wooden bike hooks in oak and black walnut, as well as the classic Fluo bag made of soft leather. The bike hooks are the top sellers, and I still like the simple idea I once had to hang a bike in your home. I think the product is so successful because many people in big cities have the same problem. You have to store your beloved bike inside your apartment because the risk of it being stolen on the street is very high. And although my solution is limited to lightweight road bikes and therefore only serves a small group of bike owners, it has worked.
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 the first orders came in, I believe it took about a few weeks. I was listed on many blogs that linked to my Etsy shop, which helps a lot. Since then, sales have steadily grown. These days, I use Instagram as well as Pinterest quite a lot.
Managing fluoshop
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 running my fluoshop on my own, but I got some help with the production. I work as a self-employed product designer in Hamburg, and fortunately, I have a large studio. I can easily integrate the work that needs to be done for the Etsy shop. Usually, I ship all orders in the morning and do some customer service. Afterwards, I do my main business.
The future of fluoshop
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I would like to add more products to my Etsy shop and thereby reach a larger audience. I will still run this shop in the future next to my own e-commerce website.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
I think being patient and sticking with it is very important. Being active and using all the channels that are available nowadays I think it's important that the shop is coherent and that all the photos are of good quality.
