Etsy Seller Interview with Lori of ImpactDesignCoStore

How ImpactDesignCoStore 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?

Hi, I’m Lori Christensen, owner of ImpactDesignCoStore (Etsy shop name) – Impact Design Co. I opened my business in January of 2020, but it wasn’t until March that I started to really focus on Etsy.

So how did it all start? I have always been blessed with the determination to be able to always find a way. I believe there is always a way to make things work in any situation; you just have to find it. For the last 16 years, I have been a single mother to five amazing kids, and without this inner drive, we all would not be where we are today. I was successful in my past career in medical transcription because it was easy and enjoyable for me, and it allowed me to work from home and raise my kids. I can’t even imagine what the cost of daycare would have been!

As my children grew up and became adults, I knew something was missing, and I felt a pull to go back to school to finish my BS that I began 20 years prior. After two absolutely incredible years of studies, I finished my degree in physical activity & health/community and also became a certified health education specialist. My love from everything

The study was exercise physiology—absolutely amazing stuff right there!!!

I had this vision for my life working with people, helping them overcome health issues.

I tried to get through the "magic" of physical activity, but I kept running into closed doors. Armed with frustration but perseverance and my absolute determination, I decided while I was actively searching for that "dream job" of mine, I would also keep an open mind about my future. Then, one day, while I was out on a run, a thought entered my mind, one that made me really think about what I truly wanted to do with the next years of my life.

That spontaneous thought sparked the idea of creating a business that provided quality and affordable personalized gifts intended to bring joy and happiness to each customer, truly wanting to make an IMPACT in a positive way-long story short, Impact Design Co was born. I dove straight into the rabbit hole and never looked back.

I honestly cannot remember how I decided on what to sell, but it started with mugs. Because I am very detail-oriented, I didn’t like the idea of outsourcing the work and not being able to see the final product. I opted to do everything in-house and invested in the equipment needed, so all production is done in my shop at home. Ornaments, water bottles, pencil boxes, puzzles, and PNG images have made their way into the shop as well. With all my kids out of the house, living in a very empty nest and feeling something missing again, I just opened my second Etsy shop, TippyTock, which will feature all things vintage. And if that isn’t enough, I currently have an Etsy shop waiting in the wings where I intend to transfer my PNG listings over for a shop solely dedicated to digital file downloads.

Favorite items

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

I have a handful of absolute favorites, but I really enjoy doing everything. However, the personalized K9 Officer mug is definitely one of my favorites. It is one of those mug designs that came to me after a customer requested something similar. Most of the time, I get to use an image of the officer’s actual K9, and that just adds that extra special touch. This is one of those designs that targets a very specific niche, so it isn’t the biggest seller, but when the If When the right customer comes along, it’s a hit. This is also one way I can show my support for law enforcement, who deserve all the props.

Another mug that is my favorite is the "Camila Rainbow" mug. Although it comes in a variety of color patterns, the original took off from the beginning and is my best-selling enamel mug. My middle daughter told me it is "aesthetically pleasing," and she believes this is why it sells so well.

I also love making personalized veterinarian mugs. Again, a more specific niche and something unique to trigger that interest and sale.

Lastly, I have to give a shout out to my favorite kid’s ornament. The excavator design on this ornament was created by a designer for whom I have a commercial license to use, with the rest of the ornament design created by me. Kids love excavators, simply put.

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 at the end of January 2020, and it was my only sale that month. February had four sales. It started to pick up a little in March, but not by much. March was the month that I decided to learn everything I could about Etsy. I had $195 in gross sales in March; at the end of April, it was $2895, and it only went up from there. You can say I did the work and found the way. For me, Etsy SEO and ads have been what have enabled me to attract customers. Learn Etsy SEO. It is a game changer if you understand it and utilize it correctly.

Managing ImpactDesignCoStore

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 a one-woman show for the most part, with my youngest daughter and mom helping during the holiday rush. 

These are the main tools and apps I have used to date:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Marmalead
• E-Rank
• Etsy Shipping
• PirateShip
• Etsy selling
• Etsy Seller

USPS is my main shipper, but when a box is extra large or heavy, I switch to PirateShip for UPS.

The future of ImpactDesignCoStore 

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

Scale, scale, scale!!! It is my ultimate goal to scale and increase the variety of personalized items. I understand that, realistically, I need more room and at least part-time help consistently to do this at the level I want. I quickly outgrew my shop but have been making it work. Since my youngest moved out, I have utilized her room for storage, but that will only suffice for so long. Learning how to navigate social media and building an independent website in addition to the Etsy shop is definitely on the list as well. I just need to make sure I am in a place where I can handle increased sales on my own or have made the move to hire help.

Advice for new sellers

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

Research! This is key. You need to invest the time into research. It is vital to incorporate this as a consistent practice. Everything you need to know is out there. It may not be sitting there in the open, but it’s there. If you are willing to put in the work, you will find it.

Pay attention and “listen” to your customers! Your customers will tell you directly and indirectly what they want. I have created best sellers from doing this.

Don’t let fear stop you! If you are in a secure place in your life where the only factor stopping you is fear, GO FOR IT! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You don’t forget mistakes and they will help propel you forward.

A bad review is NOT the end of the world. Remember that you cannot please everyone no matter how hard you try. You will start to understand customer behavior over time and it will help you to relax and let it go. There are times, however, that a bad review will also alert you to an improvement you need to make and this is ultimately a good thing. Ultimately, learn to give yourself a break and be human.

Invest in quality equipment and supplies. When I started I didn’t and I quickly learned the value and necessity in doing this. It may seem like a big chunk of money upfront, and it is, but it is worth it – you get what you pay for. One of the big companies I get equipment from not only responds within 1-2 hours, sometimes less, but by the VP and their equipment is worth every penny.

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

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: Since each month and season dictates sales, I will give you this. Last year, my lowest gross sales month was $6,208 and my highest gross sales month was $55,110.

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: According to Etsy, it's been 4% all time since I opened my shop.