It's been exactly one year to the day since I last had Marci Lundy on the podcast for ...

We actually didn't plan it this way but now that we've set the precedent I told her she has another year to do even greater things then come back on the podcast again this time next year! :)

Marci runs the Etsy shops and but she's also expanding her business beyond the boundaries of Etsy and creating her own unique and profitable path.

This includes reaching out to gift retailer and getting approval to create and sell a unique product line in their marketplace. She's also teaming up with a local business to sell a line of beauty products exclusively through that channel as well.

Topics Discussed:

Partnering with specialty sites for increased sales and exposure

Running two Etsy shops and what that entails

Creating product lines for physical brick and mortar partners

Holiday selling strategies

Resources Mentioned:

- just about everything is "Google-able" ;)

Marci's Etsy Shop Shoutouts:

Contact Marci:

Etsy shops - and

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

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Onyii Brown is the fashion designer behind ... I actually found out about her through my brother who saw her fashion show during New York Fashion Week 2015 and when I learned that she got her start on Etsy I knew I just had to have her on the podcast. 

I was so curious to find out how she made the leap from Etsy to the most highly sought after runway in the world and she's here this week sharing her story and how it happened every step of the way.

I love how she describes how she reacted when she was pushed into a corner and forced to make choices and how she overcame the odds... Starting with a sewing machine that she didn't even really know how to use! :)

Topics Discussed:

Differentiating oneself from the competition in a saturated field

The importance of humble beginnings

Handling the struggle between being secure and following one's passion

Always learning and growing and why this is a must for all entrepreneurs

Future plans for .

Resources Mentioned:

- Gotta love this... There is sooo much helpful information here.

Best ways to reach Onyii:

Website:

Social Media: , ,

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

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I'm so proud that this day has arrived... This is officially my 100th Etsy Conversations Podcast episode. Well, technically, it's actually episode #102 I believe but it's my hundredth numbered episode.

In the podcasting world (and in my own little world too) this is a big deal because "they" say that in podcasting most new shows don't make it past the 7th episode, so to now be a 3-digit podcast makes me happy that I have survived this long :)

I wanted to make this a super-special episode to mark this milestone and have on a special guest but I didn't get who I really wanted and because I have been traveling internationally for the last couple of weeks, I decided that I'd just have a quiet celebration with just you and me... :)

This is also a great time for me to take care of some housekeeping so in this episode I talk about some things that I don't usually get to talk about during the regular episodes.

Topics Discussed

- Yes! I do sell on Etsy too :) One of my recent podcast guests asked me if I have an Etsy shop and why I never talk about it or promote it on the podcast... So I address why I have chosen to do things the way I do and what, if anything will be changing going forward.

- I talk about the benefits of being a guest on the podcast and what I do for featured shops, I also discuss how to be a guest on the show or how to make a suggestion for potential guests that you'd like to hear on the podcast. Have you ever wondered why some people aren't on the podcast...? I explain that too.

Connect With Me - I'm almost everywhere on social media you'd think to look (but I'm not equally active on all platforms). All my social media links and contact information are below and I'd really like to connect with you on your platform of choice... I'm partial to some, I definitely have my "preferred places to hang out", but like I said, I'm pretty much everywhere.

Podcast Reviews - in the world of podcasts, reviews are pretty important when it comes to directories like and . I explain why reviews are the lifeblood of a podcast (okay, maybe it's not that dire), but they certainly are great to have and I make a request for honest ratings and reviews.

Etsy Shop ShoutOuts

Tara Jacobsen - marketing expert at and Etsy shop owner of . She helped me get organized and streamline my processes to ensure I get to spend time growing my Etsy shops while running the podcast. Her printable planners and organizers have been super duper helpful for me, and fun to use to!!

Michele Gallagher - Etsy consultant at . She helped me set up my Simply Craft Supplies shop because I was spread too thin doing the podcast, and she can do the same, and probably more, for you too. Michele also sells on Etsy in .

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow

Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the

Pinterest:

Instagram:

Google+:

Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

My guest this week is Tara Jacobsen of .

Tara is also a 15-year marketing expert and when I learned that she recently opened up her brand new Etsy shop, , I was very interested to learn how her marketing background was helping her as an Etsy business owner and wanted her to share some marketing tips and information with us.

You can learn all about Tara's marketing services at and also see what she's done in that arena in the past. Tara's also a professional speaker so get ready for a long and very detailed conversation.

I'm very grateful to have had her as my guest as she shared lots of valuable information and agreed to use me as a case study to test out how well the service packages she offers Etsy sellers work, so stay tuned for the "before and after" follow up episode to see how things panned out ;)

Topics we discussed:

The joys of marketing

Knowing the right time to get help

Know who your perfect customer (or "avatar") is

Time management for multi-passionate entrepreneurs and busy parents

Etsy shop promotion (it's always nice to learn how a professional marketer gets things done... ;) )

Social media marketing strategies

And much much more...

Resources mentioned:

- for finding and removing inactive Twitter followers

- tool for Etsy SEO and keyword research

- for creating graphics e.g. shop banner, logo, etc.

- for curating items you like

Tara's Etsy Shop ShoutOut:

- she makes cute and adorable paper clips and page markers (tell her Tara sent you :) )

Best ways to reach Tara:

Websites:  and

Etsy shop:

Twitter: and

Pinterest: and

Instagram: and

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow

Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the

Pinterest:

Instagram:

Google+:

Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

My guest this week is Tara Jacobsen of Paperly People.

Tara is also a 15-year marketing expert and when I learned that she recently opened up her brand new Etsy shop, Paperly People, I was very interested to learn how her marketing background was helping her as an Etsy business owner and wanted her to share some marketing tips and information with us.

You can learn all about Tara's marketing services at MarketingArtfully.com and also see what she's done in that arena in the past. Tara's also a professional speaker so get ready for a long and very detailed conversation.

I'm very grateful to have had her as my guest as she shared lots of valuable information and agreed to use me as a case study to test out how well the service packages she offers Etsy sellers work, so stay tuned for the "before and after" follow up episode to see how things panned out ;)

Topics we discussed:

The joys of marketing

Knowing the right time to get help

Know who your perfect customer (or "avatar") is

Time management for multi-passionate entrepreneurs and busy parents

Etsy shop promotion (it's always nice to learn how a professional marketer gets things done... ;) )

Social media marketing strategies

And much much more...

Resources mentioned:

Crowdfire - for finding and removing inactive Twitter followers

Marmalead - tool for Etsy SEO and keyword research

Canva - for creating graphics e.g. shop banner, logo, etc.

Treasury Box - for curating items you like

Tara's Etsy Shop ShoutOut:

Created By Danielle1 - she makes cute and adorable paper clips and page markers (tell her Tara sent you :) )

Best ways to reach Tara:

Websites: MarketingArtfully and PaperlyPeople

Etsy shop: Paperly People

Twitter: @TARAdactyl and @PaperlyPeople

Pinterest: TaraJacobsen and PaperlyPeople

Instagram: @TaraJacobsen and @PaperlyPeople

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in iTunes and Stitcher. That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow @ConvoMePodcast

Facebook Group: Etsy Conversations - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the Etsy Conversations Podcast Facebook Page

Pinterest: Etsy Conversations Podcast

Instagram: @EtsyConvo

Google+: Etsy Conversations Podcast

Email: Use the Contact Form OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

My guest this week is Tara Jacobsen of Paperly People.

Tara is also a 15-year marketing expert and when I learned that she recently opened up her brand new Etsy shop, Paperly People, I was very interested to learn how her marketing background was helping her as an Etsy business owner and wanted her to share some marketing tips and information with us.

You can learn all about Tara's marketing services at MarketingArtfully.com and also see what she's done in that arena in the past. Tara's also a professional speaker so get ready for a long and very detailed conversation.

I'm very grateful to have had her as my guest as she shared lots of valuable information and agreed to use me as a case study to test out how well the service packages she offers Etsy sellers work, so stay tuned for the "before and after" follow up episode to see how things panned out ;)

Topics we discussed:

The joys of marketing

Knowing the right time to get help

Know who your perfect customer (or "avatar") is

Time management for multi-passionate entrepreneurs and busy parents

Etsy shop promotion (it's always nice to learn how a professional marketer gets things done... ;) )

Social media marketing strategies

And much much more...

Resources mentioned:

Crowdfire - for finding and removing inactive Twitter followers

Marmalead - tool for Etsy SEO and keyword research

Canva - for creating graphics e.g. shop banner, logo, etc.

Treasury Box - for curating items you like

Tara's Etsy Shop ShoutOut:

Created By Danielle1 - she makes cute and adorable paper clips and page markers (tell her Tara sent you :) )

Best ways to reach Tara:

Websites: MarketingArtfully and PaperlyPeople

Etsy shop: Paperly People

Twitter: @TARAdactyl and @PaperlyPeople

Pinterest: TaraJacobsen and PaperlyPeople

Instagram: @TaraJacobsen and @PaperlyPeople

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in iTunes and Stitcher. That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow @ConvoMePodcast

Facebook Group: Etsy Conversations - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the Etsy Conversations Podcast Facebook Page

Pinterest: Etsy Conversations Podcast

Instagram: @EtsyConvo

Google+: Etsy Conversations Podcast

Email: Use the Contact Form OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

It's party time...! My guest this week is Nessa Jay and she runs the Etsy shop . Nessa and I first "met" in the (and if you're not yet a part of that group please feel free to hop on over and join us).

We had a conversation in the group around what types of Etsy sellers people wanted to hear on the podcast and that was the genesis of this episode. Nessa is of the school of thought that we can learn something from almost everyone, including newbies, and so that's one of the topics we focus on during our convo.

Nessa runs full time and she shares some very specific steps about how she does it and how she manages her time, including the journey to finding real balance between running your own business full time and having a life.

Other Topics Discussed (Some of them...)

Defining success

Nessa's Pinterest strategy

The value of learning from newbies

Nessa's strategy for finding her target audience (if you like what you hear, let her know...)

...and much more

Resources Mentioned

Nessa's Etsy Shop ShoutOuts

- run by Ali Pickett, specializing in button pins, magnets, mirrors, temporary tattoos and more

- run by Katie and she specializes in beautiful calligraphy prints

Best ways to reach Nessa

Etsy shop:

Website:

Social media: , , , ,

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow

Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the

Pinterest:

Instagram:

Google+:

Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

I really loved talking to this week's podcast guest Gabe Molnar because his Etsy story is a fantastic reminder of many important facts including:

Following your instincts and your passion regardless of what others say

Having a creative outlet and finding a way to create the life you want around it

Doing whatever it takes to be successful regardless of what extrinsic factors you have to battle

Bartering for services and photography with other professionals

Being everywhere... As much as you possibly can anyway

Gabe's Etsy shop is and to date he has sold over 8,100 handmade items... All of which he has designed, created, packed, shipped, etc. by himself.

In our convo we talk about Gabe being a truly one-man show and I get to discuss his take on outsourcing and time management as it relates to him being a solo entrepreneur and owner of a very busy Etsy shop.

Gabe's story is such an intriguing one... He went from being a member of a popular heavy metal band that toured the world and opened for ... (I confess, I didn't know who they were before this convo), to being featured in an and also an (back when that was a thing on Etsy).

He's a podcaster as well, so after we "geek out" just a bit about podcasting, he shares his thoughts on how he believes podcasting can help Etsy sellers promote their businesses... As in, Etsy sellers having their own podcasts for their Etsy shops! I'm all for this as well and I share my thoughts why.

Granted, podcasting isn't everybody's cup of tea, but you never know...

Resources mentioned:

Contact Gabe:

Etsy shop:

Social media: , , , , , ,

Website: (Gabe's podcast is hosted here);

Gabe's Etsy Shop ShoutOut

- please check out Erin's Etsy shop too... She and Gabe first met when they had neighboring tables at craft fairs they did in New York

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow

Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the

Pinterest:

Instagram:

Google+:

Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

My guest this week is Kristen Carrasco and her Etsy shop is . Kristen makes and sells jewelry, inspirational art prints, and hand-crafted ribbon pine cone holiday ornaments & decorations...

In her own words, Kristen describes her Etsy shop as a "gift store".

Kristen is a graphic designer and defines herself as a creator of crafty things... Love it! :)

She generously shares the story of how and why she ended up selling on Etsy and some of the important lessons she has learned all along the way.

Topics discussed:

Setting inventory goals (think about holiday stock...)

Etsy shop promotion and the importance and benefits of in-person networking

Craft fair selection process

Developing Etsy shop policies

Bookkeeping and accounting solutions for Etsy sellers

...and much more

I forgot to mention this during my convo with Kristen but she's offering a special discount to all Etsy Conversations Podcast listeners.

Use the promo code ETSY15 to save 15% on your total purchase in .

Resources mentioned:

(Kristen found the "Art of Pricing" workshop particularly helpful)

(If This Then That)

Bootcamp (The Art of Getting Press)

Best ways to reach Kristen... Her Parade of Links :):

Etsy shop:

Blog:

Social media: , ,

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow

Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the

Pinterest:

Instagram:

Google+:

Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com

Have you ever done something and had a false start, then gone back and re-tooled and come back better?

That's exactly what my guest this week did. She's Sarah of Etsy shop where she sells calligraphy and hand-lettering stationery (and soon to be more) products.

If you're not happy with the way things are going with your Etsy shop right now and you think you need to take a step back and  change things up in  a way that you know will work out better for your business then listen to my conversation with Sarah where she shares her own experience and what she learned.

You'll learn that it's perfectly okay, and maybe even essential, to start over...

Topics discussed:

Building buzz prior to launching an Etsy shop

Generating sales through social media

Packaging and presentation for maximum impact

Sarah's social media strategies that have worked for garnering sales

Resources mentioned:

Photofy

Studio app

Etsy teams

Best ways to reach Sarah:

Etsy shop convo:

Social media: , ,

Sarah's

Please take a minute to subscribe and leave an honest review of the podcast in and . That really helps to get the word out about the show.

Connect With Me:

Twitter: Follow

Facebook Group: - This is where I'm connecting with you after the podcast. Lots of fun convos here too!

Facebook: Like the

Pinterest:

Instagram:

Google+:

Email: Use the OR interview [at] convome [dot] com