In this interview, I chat with Erica of Wicked Bride.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links that will pay a small commission at no cost to you if they’re used to purchase something.
Tell us a little about your shop and who you are.
I’m Erica, and I sell wedding planners, maid-of-honor planners, mother-of-the-bride planners, and wedding-related personalized gifts.
How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I’ve been an Etsy seller since 2010.
What’s the hardest part about selling online?
Just starting! I tend to get stuck in all the little details, which gets overwhelming and makes it hard to take a leap.
Once you realize nothing will ever be perfect, it’s easier to jump in with both feet and evolve and grow as you go!
What’s your daily routine like?
I start the day by answering any inquiries that came in overnight and then print order slips for the day.
I review the order slips and highlight personalizations, special instructions, and any shipping upgrades.
Next, I move the bound planner queue forward – I print covers and set them to dry/cure, wrap covers that have been printed, and punch/bind planners that are ready to go out.
Then I start on the artwork for orders, which are printed, cut, bound, and packaged.
Last, I review all of the orders ready to ship, create shipping labels and get orders packaged for pickup.
I’ve earmarked certain days for specific tasks – on Wednesdays I review shop performance, list anything new that has been created, review inventory, and order any needed supplies.
On Fridays, I review financials – check accounts, categorize transactions in my accounting software, and pay invoices.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start selling online?
Determine what kind of business you want to establish.
Is it service-based? Product-based? If product-based, will you sell only one-of-a-kind creations, or multiples?
Will you allow people to personalize everything, or will you curate a collection for purchase?
It’s important to dig deep and ask yourself questions, as each business has its own set of unique needs and demands.
Above all, it’s important to stay authentic to yourself.
There are a million people making jewelry online – but what is it about yours that is unique and different?
Once you can answer that question, everything else will fall into place as you develop branding, marketing, and your individual position in the market.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Building a business takes time. Yes, people go viral and seem to be successful overnight – but that’s the exception, not the rule.
And if it’s a trend, it’s not a sustainable business model.
Get yourself a coach and a mastermind group – I belong to two specific to my stores/industry, and I’d be lost without them.
Make sure you do your research, as not all coaches are created equally! I learned this the hard way, and paid for a few pricey programs that promised results but didn’t deliver any actionable content.
One program was abandoned by the creator only a few months after purchase!
Watch YouTube videos, read reviews, and absolutely check out free Facebook groups to ask questions before committing.
You can visit Wicked Bride and find Erica on social media here:
Etsy shop: WickedBride
Website: https://www.wickedbride.com/
Instagram: @wicked_bride
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WickedBrideStationery
TikTok: @wickedbride
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