How RubbersuitStudios 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?

My name is Matthew Dansereau, and I have owned and operated rubbersuitstudios.com since 2005. It started as a place to feature art, webcomics, podcasts, and other things that my friends and I did. Eventually, I started selling things from it. About a decade ago, I decided I needed a new hobby. As a teen, I collected comic books, bought and sold them through local markets, and decided I wanted to get back into collecting. I started buying and selling comics like I did in the past, but I realized I no longer wanted to collect, just buy and sell, so I started doing that through my own website and Ebay. I came to Etsy on a whim to try to find cheaper options to eBay with a built-in population of buyers. I liked Etsy a lot; you kind of had control over your own storefront, and you started to sell almost right away (I am a very good self-promoter). I stopped selling on eBay. In terms of sourcing my products, I do a lot of shopping: eBay, yard sales, antique shops, shows, etc.

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 in my shop are old romance comics; why? because many of them did not survive to this day, especially in harsh conditions. So they sell well? Yes, I don’t have many left.

Miss America Magazine; Vol 4, 1 (#19)
Miss America Magazine; Vol 5, 5 (#29)

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?

12 hours.  Lots and lots and lots of promotion Meeting customers.

Managing RubbersuitStudios

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?

Just me, I've only used GoDaddy's Accounting app and don't currently use any others. Shipping is handled by me, and it is delivered the following day. 

The future of RubbersuitStudios

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

I have two big goals: my own selling website and a brick-and-mortar store.

Advice for new sellers

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

PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE, everywhere and at all times. Also, learn and use Etsy Calculated Shipping to save yourself some headaches. 

Alura Team
Alura Team

Alura is your all-in-one platform for selling on Etsy. With more $500.000+ gross sales over four years selling on Etsy, Alura is built by experienced sellers for sellers. Start with a free account and explore all the features you need to start, run, and grow your Etsy shop.