How UrbanOwlHome 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?
I started my Etsy shop in 2016 as a side gig to help pay for student loans. I had just graduated from college and wanted to make some extra income while doing something I love doing in my spare time-crafting! The idea of doormats stemmed from my own need for a doormat at home. I made myself one and liked it so much I started to make some for friends and family. With increased popularity, I decided to open a shop to sell them.
I source the materials needed to paint the doormats, but all the designs and work that goes into printing are done by me! I create templates from my designs and hand paint every single order.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
Some of my favorite items in my shop are my Halloween doormats and dog-themed mats. Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I’ve designed several spooky mats for the season! I also create a number of pet-themed mats. I am a huge animal lover. I have dogs of my own and also foster and volunteer with local rescues in my community. I donate proceeds from my sales to a local animal rescue as well.
Seasonal doormats sell well, since just about everyone switches up their décor each season! I’ve found a lot of my customers are animal lovers as well, and many of my dog-themed doormats are some of my top-sellers in my shop.
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 earned my first sale within a month of opening my shop. I did a lot of research prior to opening and made sure I had a good selection of designs before I went live. I spend a lot of time working on SEO keywords in my Etsy listings, creating great photos, and utilizing social media to advertise my business.
Managing UrbanOwlHome
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 a one-woman shop-I am the designer, maker, marketer, customer service, and fulfillment person! Over the years, I’ve found apps to help make my life a bit easier, like Vela for bulk editing listings and various social media scheduling apps. Canva has been great for creating graphics for marketing! I use eRank to help search for relevant keywords for SEO and tweak under-performing listings. I utilize third-party shipping app Shipstation to purchase postage and fulfill orders, which has been a money and time-saver when printing off lots of shipping labels every day.
The future of UrbanOwlHome
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Moving forward, I hope my shop continues to grow as it has in the past 8 years. I’m always researching new strategies and creating new items to add to my shop! I’ve slowly added additional items beyond doormats, such as garden flags and drinkware, and I hope to continue to branch out!
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Research, research, research! Make sure you read over the resources that Etsy provides for new sellers and the best ways to list your items. SEO is incredibly helpful to learn so customers can find you in searches. Great photos are also very important to stand out from the competition. Make sure you utilize all the details Etsy allows you to fill in-material color, size, etc. There are also a lot of great resources outside of Etsy, like Facebook groups just for Etsy sellers to ask questions and get feedback from other sellers. You may not make sales right away, but don't get discouraged! Keep finding ways to improve and evolve in your market, and sales will follow.
UrbanOwlHome
Giftable Door Mats and Home Goods
