How I Made $93,426 in Sales My First Year on Etsy as a Stay-at-Home Mom

As I sit down to write and reflect on my first-year Etsy Sales Report and Stats, I’m overwhelmed with a mix of emotions.

Imagine a corner of my home that’s become a bustling haven of mompreneur creativity, a desk filled with to-do lists, projects, dreams, hope, my beautiful Laptop, and toys on the floor.

Amidst this homemade workstation and toddler playground area, there’s a beautiful girl by my side, a constant reminder of why I embarked on this incredible journey.

Today, as I look back on my first year as an Etsy Seller, I feel pride, gratitude, and a hint of astonishment at just how much can change in just one year.

Why Am I Sharing My Stats?

I want to share my raw and relatable experiences from my first year as an Etsy seller because I know I am not the only mom struggling to find a way to make money.

My hope is that by sharing my personal experience, I can offer hope and practical insights to other stay-at-home moms dreaming of turning their passions into profit.

So, grab your favorite mug of tea (or, let’s be honest, reheated coffee) and join me as I walk you through my first-year Etsy income report.

From initial doubts to celebrating small victories, I’ll reveal how each sale, each late-night crafting session, and each customer interaction contributed to a year that forever changed my life – and could potentially change yours too.

Why I Decided to Embark on My Etsy Journey

Amidst the diaper changes, storytimes, and endless cleaning, I felt a deep need to be productive again. Plus, the prospect of earning a bit of income while staying at home with my baby girl.

You can read the full story of how I left my job and became a stay-at-home here.

Initial Doubts and Fears: The First Months of My Etsy Shop

It was November 2021 when I opened my Etsy Shop. I had no idea what I was doing. I started from scratch with ZERO graphic design skills (I’m an Environmental Engineer).

Oh, the doubts! Could I manage a bustling Etsy shop while taking care of my little one? Would my creations find an audience? Is this side hustle actually going to work? I wished I had some sort of guidance and support, not just youtube videos.

That’s why, if you are thinking about starting an Etsy Shop of your own, I created this Step-by-Step Guide and Workbook showing you How To Start an Etsy Shop today specifically tailored for busy stay-at-home moms.

These are the steps and knowledge I wish I had when I started my own Etsy Journey!

This Guide will help you:

• Decide on the type of products you could sell on Etsy without leaving your house! (priceless info).
• Define your target audience and niche (this will guide your branding decisions).
• Create your shop brand to stand out from the crowd! (Canva template included with a stylish wedding shop example).
• Guide you through a roadmap to create your first products (step-by-step).
• Open your shop and set up all your shop features, info, appearance, etc.
• Identify the following action steps and tools necessary for a successful shop.

So during those first two months, I didn’t really do much. I just focused on learning.

And even though I only had only a few listings up and my shop was not looking good, I made 47 sales between November and December 2021. But I had the advantage of starting during the busy holiday season.

I feel like my journey really started in January 2022 because that’s when I made a brand, focused on keywords, and created beautiful listings.

That’s when I took this side hustle more seriously and started implementing and experimenting with different strategies.

Celebrating Small Victories: Each Sale Was a Step Toward Financial Freedom

With every subsequent sale, no matter how small, I found myself celebrating like it was a grand occasion. Each purchase felt like a tiny step forward, a brick added to the foundation of my dream. Every time an order notification chimed on my phone, it was a reminder that my creations resonated with others – people who valued the time and effort I poured into them.

But it wasn’t just the financial aspect that made these moments so special. Each sale came with a dose of validation that I CAN DO THIS.

First-Year Milestones: Highlighting Key Achievements and Growth

The journey began with modest steps, and those initial months were my stepping stones to understanding the dynamics of my niche, refining my offerings, and gaining insights into what resonated with customers.

As my shop evolved and my product range expanded, these progress markers fueled my determination to keep pushing ahead.

Sales Increase

One of the most remarkable and exciting aspects was the steady increase in my monthly sales.

As the months unfolded, a pattern began to emerge – a pattern of growth that was both exhilarating and affirming. I noticed a gradual increase in the number of sales each month, a testament to the time and effort I poured into understanding my customers, refining my products, and improving my shop’s visibility.

Holiday Season

As the holiday season approached, the collective excitement for gift-giving began to increase. People were on the lookout for unique, heartfelt gifts that spoke volumes beyond their price tag.

This provided a prime opportunity for my Etsy shop, so I focused on creating personalized and thoughtful items.

This was also a time of excitement and challenge as I navigated the delicate balance between fulfilling the huge surge in demand and ensuring that the quality and customer service I prided myself on remained uncompromised.

Navigating the holiday rush was a lesson in time management like no other. From creating a strategic inventory plan to managing shipping deadlines and customer inquiries, the ability to stay organized and plan ahead became a true asset.

So I made a note for next year that the careful preparation and attention to detail were instrumental in ensuring a smooth and successful holiday season for both my customers and myself.

As I reflect on the year that was, I’m reminded that success isn’t solely measured in sales numbers or profit margins. It’s also about personal growth. From navigating the labyrinth of product creation to managing my shop amidst diaper changes and playdates, it was a rollercoaster ride unlike any other.

So these are some of the reflections and revelations that marked my first year on Etsy:

Ups and Downs

Of course, as any Etsy seller knows, the path isn’t always linear. There were moments when sales plateaued or even dipped, testing my patience and adaptability. During those times, I revisited my strategies, reimagined my product line, and focused on the silver linings that every setback offered – a chance to learn and evolve.

Consistency

Reflecting on this journey, I learned that consistency played a pivotal role in this upward trajectory. Consistency in creating high-quality products, consistency in maintaining stellar customer service, and consistency in engaging with my audience through compelling listings and social media presence.

Creativity and Adaptation

With every new product I introduced, I carefully considered how it resonated with my brand and how it filled a gap in the market. This commitment to innovation and adaptation was the initial spark that ignited my shop’s upward trajectory.

Marketing

One of the pivotal factors that propelled my shop’s growth was the strategic use of marketing techniques. I delved into the world of keyword optimization, Ads, and optimizing my shop’s visuals to captivate potential customers.

As my listings gained better visibility within Etsy’s search results, I noticed an increase in both traffic and engagement. This heightened visibility played a crucial role in turning casual browsers into enthusiastic buyers.

Customer Service

Prompt and personalized communication, efficient order processing, and a commitment to customer satisfaction transformed one-time buyers into repeat customers and enthusiastic advocates. Positive word-of-mouth and repeat business proved to be powerful drivers of sales growth.

Moreover, forming genuine connections with my customers transformed each transaction into a heartfelt experience, encouraging repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

5-Star Etsy Reviews

As the positive feedback and glowing reviews began to accumulate, I witnessed a ripple effect that further bolstered my shop’s sales.

These testimonials not only instilled confidence in potential buyers but also contributed to my shop’s overall credibility within the Etsy community.

Prospective customers were reassured by the experiences of others, and this newfound trust translated directly into increased sales.

Time Management and Priorities

I quickly realized that I needed to master the art of balance – juggling my role as a dedicated mom with that of a passionate entrepreneur. I learned that setting realistic expectations was crucial to preventing burnout and disappointment.

Balancing the demands of motherhood with the uncertainties of entrepreneurship seemed like an intricate puzzle. There were moments when I questioned whether I was taking on too much, whether I was cut out for this journey.

Balancing time management became a delicate dance, and I had to learn to allocate time to my Etsy shop without compromising the quality of family moments.

In Conclusion:

I’m delighted to have opened the doors to my Etsy world – a world where entrepreneur dreams, endless cups of coffee, and toddler chatter came together to shape an endeavor that has brought newfound purpose and financial rewards.

And while these financial gains were undoubtedly rewarding, the unexpected treasures of this journey were equally, if not more, fulfilling.

Through the highs and the insights shared, I hope you’ve found inspiration, relatability, and a touch of encouragement for your own endeavors. And the stats I provided you were only meant to illuminate the potential and possibilities of selling on Etsy as a stay-at-home mom.

Remember, every journey, no matter how extraordinary, starts with a single step. Just as I began my Etsy adventure with a spark of creativity and a whisper of doubt, you, too, can embark on your path of discovery.

Whether it’s opening your own shop, pursuing a creative passion, or diving into entrepreneurship, know that your journey is uniquely yours, waiting to unfold in ways you might not yet imagine. So I encourage you to take that first step.

Would you like to learn more on the exact strategies I implemented to become a 6-Fig Etsy Seller?

I share ALL my tips and secrets on this step-by-step guide:

Join me at the “She Engineers Strategies for Etsy Success” step-by-step guide and workbook, where I’m dishing out more tips, tricks, and my exact strategies to help you skyrocket those Etsy sales.

You are not alone on this journey; sign in to my newsletter for ongoing guidance and support, or explore the blog for further inspiration.

Always remember… you are amazing, you are strong, and you mean the world to your children.

Love,

Jackie.