How JKartshop 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?
Our shop story really started when we got married. Kim and I were both artists and were pursuing associate degrees in art-related fields when we met. We intended to continue our education and earn a BA in illustration.However, upon getting married and starting a new college, we quickly realized it was not where we wanted to be. We left college without much of a plan. We tried listing various things on Etsy with no sales at all until we got the idea to list a hand-carved wood slice we made for our wedding. To our surprise, we got our first order, and it just picked up from there. Every time a customer would request something different, we would fill the order and list a new variation of our products. Of course, our products have evolved over time. It can be hard to adapt to trends, but I found it’s best to keep listing new ideas as much as possible. especially during slow times. We do a lot of woodworking now and source as much material from local sawmills as possible. Some supplies we need to order online, and we usually try to buy in bulk to keep costs low.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My favorite items would have to be our solid wood table tops and shield plaques. I particularly love making these because I just have such a passion for woodworking. These items give me more time in the shop to do what I love most. They both sell pretty well. I believe they sell well because of the quality and competitive online prices.
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?
It took us about a month to list various items before we got our first sale. When we did get that sale, it was extremely motivating. We still use a similar method to list new products and attract new customers. Typically, I found that if you can make something for yourself that you actually need or have a hard time finding elsewhere, chances are others will buy it as well.
Managing JKartshop
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 took us about a month to list various items before we got our first sale. When we did get that sale, it was extremely motivating. We still use a similar method to list new products and attract new customers. Typically, I found that if you can make something for yourself that you actually need or have a hard time finding elsewhere, chances are others will buy it as well.
The future of JKartshop
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
We plan to expand our shop capabilities with new tools and open a local store.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
My advice for a new seller is to make sure you love and believe in what you are selling. If you wouldn’t use your own products, then others probably won’t either. If you add a product and it doesn't sell, don’t get discouraged. Keep listing new items. We have had items sit for a few months and then suddenly take off in sales. Be patient and list items on a regular basis. This will generate more traffic for your page and help it reach a broader audience.
Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.
Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: $5,500
Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 70%
Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 1.5%
