Etsy Seller Interview with Tracy of TweedyGiftCompany

How TweedyGiftCompany 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 shop is called The Tweedy Gift Company, as that is exactly what we sell: gifts that are made from tweed. predominantly the infamous Harris Tweed, but we have also started to include other equally beautiful tweeds from other British mills. When I first opened my shop, it didn’t look anything like it does today. It was made up of an eclectic mix of weird and wonderful things that I made with what I had lying around. My very first sale was a lavender heart, which I posted out to a customer in Hawaii. I was absolutely buzzing when I heard that very first ch-ching on my phone. My shop has morphed into what it is today, although I did deviate from my usual products during COVID as everyone’s buying habits and needs changed drastically. All the products in my shop are made by me.  I take pride in every single product I make, and before I send an order out to a customer, I always ask myself, "Would I be happy to receive this?" Obviously, the answer is "yes," otherwise it would be thrown into the scrap bin and a replacement made.

Favorite items

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

My favorite product is my Harris Tweed Hip Flasks. They have been a firm favorite with my customers and have been my best-selling product for the past 8 years. I love the fact that they are all individual depending on which part of the pattern the fabric has been cut, and I love the fact that I can personalize them for the customer. They have been especially popular as groomsmen gifts at weddings, and I feel honored that people trust me to deliver that special touch on what is one of the most important days of their lives.

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 me a whole year to get my first sale on Etsy. Selling online has been a very steep learning curve for me, and I am still constantly learning. I pay for advertising on Etsy throughout the year and increase my spend at specific times such as Father's Day and Christmas. I also spend an hour or so each Sunday evening tweaking my listings and making sure they are all up-to-date and looking the best they can.

Managing TweedyGiftCompany

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 is only me in the business, so I wear lots of different hats, including managing my Etsy shop. I use erank to check that my products are still on trend. I start my day by checking for any orders; these are printed off and made. I contact the customer immediately if I need any clarification on their order prior to making it. I like to turn orders around within 24 hours, but at busy times, that is not always possible. Therefore, I never promise anything I am not 100% certain I can fulfill.

The future of TweedyGiftCompany 

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

It doesn’t matter how many sales each week you receive, it is only natural to want to increase this. In 2022, I released my new Tweed Dog range, and it is my goal this year to increase the variety of products available in this range.

Advice for new sellers

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

Don’t just list a product and sit back, expecting people to find you. You need to work at being seen. Etsy has grown significantly since I joined, and it is even more important now than ever that you show your customers how you stand out from everyone else. Sales do snowball, as the more sales you get, and 5 star reviews, the more trust people will have in buying from you.