Etsy Seller Interview with Bailey of OnMapleLane

How OnMapleLane 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 Bailey, the owner of On Maple Lane. On Maple Lane was born out of my own desire for safe and nontoxic baby items that were also beautiful. I made alphabet blocks, baby gyms, and toys for my own son while I was pregnant with my second. I researched ways to stay safe while creating because I was pregnant and also created sustainable items that would become heirlooms for my family. When friends and family saw these items, they would commission toys and gifts.I worked in product development before moving to California, so I saw an opportunity to turn this hobby into a business and began selling on Etsy.

I’ve made some huge, expensive mistakes sourcing wood, and thankfully we’ve finally found some other great small businesses we work with now. I will always recommend ordering supplies from a small business, and not just because I am one. Because the time and attention you receive are valuable when you are likely ordering the same items frequently. I’m lucky enough to now have my own office and workshop where everything is created, packaged, and shipped out.

Favorite items

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

Our best sellers are our name blocks and our bowling sets, and I’m constantly doing market research to see what’s next. Thankfully, I have two adorable testers, models, or think tanks at home. Our name blocks are a classic gift for baby showers, and they were the first thing I made for my own son when I found out I was pregnant. When we finally decided on a name, that is how I treated myself.

Our bowling sets are another timeless classic that is truly the ideal toy. Bowling encourages strategic thinking, develops hand-eye coordination, and helps with judging distance. Our set is the perfect size for younger kids. I encourage open-ended play, and this set is so simple that it provides endless inspiration for the little one's imagination. Here is a link to our other toys:

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?

I got my first sale the second day the shop was open; it was an incredible feeling. I could say the rest is history, but there have obviously been ups and downs. Really successful products, like our Baby Gyms, are no longer offered because of the cost of shipping. The way I generate traffic to my Etsy shop is fluid and ever-changing. Social media is constantly changing, and search engine optimization is something I work on every few months. But I’ve learned that if I don’t really like doing it, I’m not going to be creating great content, and that content is not going to generate traffic. For example, I love Pinterest but am not the biggest fan of making Instagram videos. Not surprisingly, my social media traffic comes mostly from Pinterest. So I put my efforts into other marketing efforts instead of torturing myself.

Managing OnMapleLane

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 the creator, artist, website developer, customer service agent, warehouse manager, CEO, CFO, and COO, like most Etsy shop owners. I do a lot of internet research, listen to podcasts, watch YouTube and TikTok videos, and read small business advice books. I like to absorb as much information as I can and see a few different ways people in similar positions manage certain tasks. It's a great way to figure out how it’s going to look and work for you. 

My favorite apps are:
Quickbooks self-employment for bookkeeping
Tailwind to manage and schedule social media posts
PS Express is for editing pictures.
Canva for marketing materials and adding information to listing photos

The future of OnMapleLane

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

My goals for the shop are to continue to be profitable. Now that the shop has been open for about 6 years, I have a better understanding of when the busy and slow seasons happen. I will be working towards more stability in profits by expanding our product lines and driving my own traffic during slower periods.

Advice for new sellers

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

Learn how to take great photos. If you have to edit and filter it more than just a few clicks, it isn't a good photo, and you should get better lighting. Look at your statistics often; find out where your traffic is coming from. or not coming from and trying to grow in that area. Make sure you are making a decent profit, keep your costs down, and raise your prices.