Etsy Seller Interview with Michelle of MyEarthkeepers

How MyEarthkeepers 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, my name is Michelle, and I am the owner and founder of MyEarthKeepers on Etsy. I started selling crystals, minerals, and handcrafted jewelry on Etsy in 2020. My passion for crystals and handmade jewelry started long before this. It started with my love of anything to do with history. Many years ago, I read a research article on the ancient Sumerians and how they used crystals in their magic formulas. This led me to search for the history of crystals. I think it is safe to say since the beginning of humankind, we have had an affinity for crystals, stones, and jewelry made from them. I began collecting for myself. I loved stopping and picking up rocks anywhere I went and eventually started collecting crystals. In 2020, I decided to start a small shop on Etsy to start sharing my love of rocks, crystals, and jewelry as a part-time gig, which has now become a full-time adventure. I spent many hours and had many conversations with dealers and suppliers to source the best products to offer my customers.

Favorite items

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

Everything! I truly mean that. All of the items I list in my shop are items that I would love to have in my own collection. I hand-selected all of the items listed. But here are just a few favorites.

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 a little over one week before I received my first sale, and it was the most exciting cha-ching to ever hear! Honestly, the ch-ching still excites me every time! At first, I was just using Etsy to drive traffic, then I branched out to Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to advertise my shop and build a following of in-kind people. I have met the best people and made many friends along this journey.

Managing MyEarthkeepers

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 primarily run the shop on my own. from sourcing and buying, to photographing, listing, advertising, social media content, and packing and shipping. I also do live sales on TikTok once a week as well. It is a lot of work to own and operate a small business. It is also the most rewarding thing to be in charge of your own path and journey. I do take advantage of using Quickbooks and Bookkeeping Live. It’s not necessarily something you need right away, but as you grow, you may find it helpful. How do I handle shipping and fulfillment? Allow yourself enough processing time to ship your order; never short yourself on time. It's better to give yourself more lead time and ship early than to have to reach out to a customer and explain you need more time. I also utilize the parcel pick-up that USPS offers, which saves me a lot of time from having to drop packages off.

The future of MyEarthkeepers

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

My current goals for 2023 are to continue educating myself to bring the best knowledge and products I can to my customers. Increase brand exposure and reputation by nurturing the relationships I have with my current customers as well as building new connections through networking and social media. My goal is to double the amount of revenue by 2022. Dream Big! 

Advice for new sellers

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

Just do it! A dream cannot become a reality unless you take a leap of faith! Be confident in your product or craft. Your confidence will show the customer that you are passionate about what you do and want to support that. Writing a good description is key; give measurements and weight if applicable. Think as if you are the customer; what would you want to read in the description to make you want to purchase?