Refocusing...transitioning...and nervous

[Former_Member]

I was recently let go of from my day job. I was hoping to have another job by now. I just came upon the realization that I should take this opportunity to get my shop where I want it to be and to perfect my products.

My goal has always been to get my shop to be my main source of income, but I just thought that I would be more prepared for it when that time came, and had more orders coming in than I do now.

Any advice out there from anyone whose shop is their sole source of income or someone that is transitioning from day job to their shop like me?

[AuntBsAttic]

Four years ago, my hours were cut at a day job without notice - and I went into a panic - then realized I could do what I had always done to raise extra cash during the holidays. It worked. Being away from that day job more - I realized I had other things I wanted to pursue (or go back to doing) and picked up contract jobs to fund the retirement accounts. I dug into Etsy - and made a FULL commitment to making my little shop grow! During the last four years I have jumped back into craft fairs to grow my local sales & get the shop 'out there' within my state, added 4 boutiques (3 out of state) to whole sale to in order to increase year round revenue - and I am the one who dropped an additional 15 hours off that day job schedule. 2013 proved that with continued effort in on line marketing & promoting, I can retire and do what I love ANYTIME I want!

It hasn't been easy - but it's been a fun challenge (I'm not very techno talented so the learning curve has been steep !) - and it's been SO rewarding! Make a commitment to do at least ONE thing to drive your business OFF Etsy Every Single Day - no matter how tired, worried, or frustrated you may be - and it will pay off ! Check out EviesToolEmporium's thread here - Drive your Etsy Business for ideas on marketing, promoting & support. We share ideas, what has worked, what hasn't for us - but might for you . . . and it keeps us accountable EVERY day!

Good Luck !!

[ConcertinaPress]

Not to sound discouraging, but I'd be wary of depending on your etsy shop for full time income right away - (after all, if you're hoping for a $30K a year, you'll have to sell about $60,000 worth of items PER YEAR to make that) I invested in my stationery business nearly full time (I had a 9 hr/week internet marketing thing on the side for a local business) about 3 years ago when the stationery shop I worked at closed.

That first year was really tough. I started with about a year's worth of expenses saved up, but by the end of the year I'd used up nearly all of my savings.

The good news is, my business continues to grow, and I work on it about 30 hours a week, and even pay myself weekly, but in the meantime I got a part time job on the weekends, and that makes me feel much more comfortable money-wise.

The Handmade Marketplace books by Kari Chapin are great resources for growing your online business.

[Former_Member]

Thank you both for your advice. I will look at the thread and books suggested.

Ruth, I am nervous about it. Trust me if it was planned I would be going about this in a completely different way. I do have family support and unemployment to help me make this work.

[EarthlieTreasures]

I got let go 2 1/2 years ago.... I didn't really focus full time on my shop the 1st year, so I'm into my first full 18 months and I am still not where I want to be... it is very hard... I promote continuously, do a few craft shows, have other on line shops.
December was my best so far, but not nearly where Id thought I'd be