Name: Morgan Carr
Graduation Date: May 2013
Hometown: Midlothian, VA
Major: Kinesiology
Current work: Zacharias Ganey Health Institute
How did you decide that you wanted to start your Etsy business?:
I was always crafting in my free time as a creative outlet, and I also needed to find a way to make a little extra money so I could pay my way through a 5-week trip to Europe after graduation. With encouragement from friends and family, I decided to make my hobby into a small side business. That way I was able to make money doing what I was already doing anyway!
What kinds of products do you make?:
I’ve sold infinity scarves, ballerina skirts, maxi skirts, boho dresses, and makeup bags.
How has your business grown since joining Etsy?:
It started as purely infinity scarves, but I had the intention to take it past just scarves so I called it Infinity and Beyond. Sure enough, I was able to expand to all sorts of clothing items over the last 9 months or so.
How did you begin to market your products?/Did you get a good response?:
I market several different ways. First off, Etsy lets you pay for advertisements with them, so when people do searches within Etsy they see your products first and more often. They also have it set up so if anyone Googles an item related to yours, it’ll show up on their Google results page. I also market through social media outlets such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Wanelo. It’s a lot of researching where you’re getting most of your traffic from, and who your target audience is.
What, if anything, have you learned from your small-business experience?:
The most important thing I had to learn was how to time manage with self-discipline. When you’re running a business out of your apartment, it’s really easy to put off work or get distracted. You have to remind yourself that this is all on you, and your customers are expecting great service and great products, even if it’s just being made at your kitchen table.
Do you think you’ll be able to apply these business and marketing skills elsewhere in your life?:
Definitely. I’ve always liked the idea of going into business for myself on a larger scale in the health industry in the future, and any kind of experience I get is going to be helpful in making those dreams come true. While I might not be making clothes forever, I can say that I’m happy I’ve found a practical use for my hobby and gotten my first taste of being an entrepreneur!
Like what you see?
Visit Morgan’s shop page at www.etsy.com/shop/InfinityAndBeyondIt!
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