We spoke to Coralie, of CoraCreaCrafts, in one of our 30-minute Filmbase Sessions, on 28  March 2024.

Coralie shared how she launched her successful Etsy shop alongside a busy job as an analyst.

Now she has a staff of five to handle the orders she takes through Etsy and her website CoraCreaCrafts.com.

So how did she do it? Have a look at the notes from the session below, with Coralie's key advice.

Session notes:

• Start with a passion project: Coralie's journey with her Etsy shop began as a side-hustle while she had a full-time job. It was initially just something she loved doing and she never imagined it could become a full-time business. But it was her enjoyment and satisfaction that drove the idea forwards.

• Identify a niche: Coralie found success by focusing on a specific niche that she was passionate about. She identified a gap in the market for vintage-style crafting supplies, such as unique journaling stickers and washi tape.

• Keep initial investment low: Opening an Etsy shop requires minimal investment upfront. Coralie started with close to zero investment and gradually built up her inventory as her business grew.

• Learn as you go: Coralie didn't have extensive knowledge of Etsy when she started, but learned as she went along. Utilise resources available online and learn from competitors to optimize your shop.

• Utilise social media: Social media can be a powerful tool for marketing your Etsy shop. Coralie attracted customers by sharing her products on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

• Consider subscription models: Subscription boxes can drive growth and provide recurring revenue. Coralie recommends platforms like Cratejoy for subscription-based businesses.

• Optimise pricing and sales: Coralie suggests experimenting with short-term sales and offers to drive purchases. Additionally, understanding pricing strategies and optimizing keywords for Etsy listings is crucial for visibility. 

• Start with Etsy: For beginners, Etsy provides a ready-made marketplace to showcase your products. Building your own website may be challenging without an established customer base and product line.

• Embrace trial and error: Success on Etsy requires patience, experimentation and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Start small, develop, and adapt your approach based on what works best for your shop.

• Research and analyse: Research keywords, market trends and successful competitors to inform your strategy. Analysing what works for others can provide valuable insights for your own shop.