Episode 34 – Simplifying Manufacturing and Business with Emily Ley

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Emily Ley.  Emily Ley is Founder and Creative Director of Emily Ley Paper & Gifts. She is also the creator of the bestselling Simplified Planner – a daily agenda for what matters most – and author of “Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy.” Raised in Pensacola, Florida, Emily graduated from the University of West Florida with degrees in English, creative writing, and public administration. She would later become the executive director of the city ballet. From there, she worked in nonprofit management and public relations before launching her brand in 2008. Emily has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best New Product at the National Stationery Show as well as being named a Top 10 Designer to Watch in 2015 by Stationery Trends Magazine. Emily lives with her husband and three children in Tampa, Florida. For more information, please visit www.EmilyLey.com.

Quote Love From Emily Ley:

“Eventually we got to that sweet spot”

“A sell out is not a bad thing”

“It’s crazy to see what taking a leap of faith will do”

Links from the show:

Playbook
Use Code: REBEL25-FOR 25% OFF

Emily’s New Book -Open for Pre-Order: A Simplified Life

Where to find Emily Ley

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter
Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebellion for a shop shout out!!!

If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Click on the link and then click on “view in iTunes” to leave us a review.  We give you all the virtual fist bumps.  Thank you!

JOIN THE REBELLION! Signup for our newsletter and get our fave list of Instagram hashtags FREE!

YOU CAN FIND KELLY ONLINE AT:

www.helloworldpaperco.com
www.kellyparkersmith.com
www.helloworldstamps.etsy.com

YOU CAN FIND CAROLINE ONLINE AT:

www.carolinecreates.com
www.carolinecreates.etsy.com

 

SHOW YOUR REBEL SPIRIT WITH SOME AWESOME GEAR FROM THE CREATIVE BIZ REBELLION SHOP:

www.creativebizrebellion.com/shop

*This post does contain some affiliate links*

Being Transparent with Customers on Etsy

I’ve Made Mistakes and So Will You.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but making a mistake somewhere at some point on your creative biz journey is inevitable.  However, there is one thing I can say that has helped me to breeze over my mistakes and keep going without losing my mind.  I am honest with my customers.  Transparency in your business is a good thing since customers flock to Etsy for the personal experience, so embrace it.  Most Etsy customers know that they are ordering from real people, with real families, and real lives.  Let them see you for everything you are.  You are creative, you are driven, you are organized, you are focused, however you are not perfect and MOST people get that.

Be upfront with people about what materials you are using, what your turnaround times are, and if you make mistakes.  Yep.  Tell them.  There will come a time when you mess up.  It may be in the beginning or it may be down the road, but it will happen and then it will happen again.  

We are not perfect and that is ok.

I’ve made mistakes before.  For example, one time I neglected to send someone their proof for their stamp within my promised 2 business day window.  I had marked that I sent them their proof on their order, but in the routine of it all I forgot to actually send them the message.  Unfortunately, I didn’t discover it until a week later.  #$@&!!  Believe me there was a lot of profanity streaming out of my mouth.  I was so mad at myself for neglecting a key step in my process.

So what did I do?  I email the customer and told them what happened.  I said, “I’m so sorry, but I have just discovered that I have neglected your proof!  Please accept my sincere apology.  Your proof is attached and I will upgrade your shipping to Priority Mail free of charge.”  I was so worried about it and the customer was so understanding.  She told me not too worry and that she appreciated the upgraded shipping.  SUCCESS!!  It is always better to be honest than to make up an excuse like Etsy sent you the order late (which doesn’t happen) or your package is on the way (when it’s not).  Always, always, always be honest with your customers.  They will appreciate it and in the rare case they don’t just let it roll off your back because just like we are not perfect, our customers are not perfect either.

If you want to learn more about running a profitable and organized Etsy shop please check out my new course Etsy Action Plan!

Talk Soon!

Xoxo,

Episode 33 – 5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about 5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You!  This podcast is totally devoted to Etsy!  Whether you are new to Etsy or have been on Etsy for a while, this podcast will totally help your shop!  

5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You!

 

  1. Fill it up– Use all the sections in Etsy-Go with the new policies on Etsy
  2. Top-Notch Customer Service
    1. Answer convos in a timely manner-put this in your shop policy
    2. Let them know shop hours for when you respond
  3. Use Etsy Snippets
    1. You can save a response for ones you use frequently based on your shop
    2. Get a quick overview here:  https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4271
    3. Get The Etsy Action Plan for a video tutorial on how Kelly uses snippets!
  4. Be Present on Social Media-Kelly recommends using Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
  5. Being Aware
    1. Stay up to date with Etsy-New Shop Manager
      1. Get a full video walkthrough of the new Etsy Shop Manager in The Etsy Action Plan!
    2. Subscribe to Etsy Success email newsletter for up to date info on Etsy!  https://www.etsy.com/emails/success

 

I wasn’t using all the things -Caroline

I don’t know everything about Etsy like I thought I did -Caroline

I don’t know what I would do without my bucket of snippets -Kelly

If Etsy gives it to you, fill it out -Kelly

 

Calling all Etsy sellers!  Improve your shop and your sales with Kelly’s course Etsy Action Plan in our new Teachable school called the Creative Rebel Base!  Come sign up for the Etsy Action Plan and improve your Etsy shop!  

Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebllion for a shop shout out!!!

If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review!   Click on the link and then click on “view in iTunes” to leave us a review.  We give you all the virtual fist bumps.  Thank you!

JOIN THE REBELLION! Signup for our newsletter and get our fave list of Instagram hashtags FREE!

YOU CAN FIND KELLY ONLINE AT:

www.helloworldpaperco.com
www.kellyparkersmith.com
www.helloworldstamps.etsy.com

YOU CAN FIND CAROLINE ONLINE AT:

www.carolinecreates.com
www.carolinecreates.etsy.com

 

SHOW YOUR REBEL SPIRIT WITH SOME AWESOME GEAR FROM THE CREATIVE BIZ REBELLION SHOP:

www.creativebizrebellion.com/shop

*This post does contain some affiliate links*

Etsy Action Plan Course is Live!

A new course, Etsy Action Plan, by our very own Kelly of Hello World Paper Co. is now live! And the best part? It’s in the new Creative Rebel Base!

If you have an Etsy shop or are thinking about opening an Etsy shop this course is for you!

Kelly takes you behind the scenes of her own Etsy shop, Hello World Stamps, where she has over 14,000 sales.  She walks you through Setting Up Shop, Etsy SEO, Shipping and more!  There are worksheets and video walk throughs to help you along the way!  Interested?

The early bird rate ends soon so go check it out at bit.ly/TakeActionOnEtsy!

Episode 32 – Going Your Own Way with Julie Ann Art

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Julie Ann Art. Julie Ann Art began in 2008 as a creative hobby, and has since turned into an internationally recognized brand. Full of straight-forward sentiments and a necessary swear word or three, this stationery and gift line was created for people who just don’t give a f*ck!  Every order is processed and packaged in their studio in Washington D.C., likely in the company of their pup, Penny.

We love Julie’s snarky cards and we know you will too!  Enjoy the show!

Quote Love From Julie Ann Art

“All you can do is the best that you can do.”

“Having this business has helped me as a person to have a thicker skin.”

“You don’t have to have everything figured out before you get started.”

 

Links from the show:

Candle Creative

Where to find Julie Ann Art:

Website | Etsy Shop | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter

 

Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebellion for a shop shout out!!!

If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Click on the link and then click on “view in iTunes” to leave us a review.  We give you all the virtual fist bumps.  Thank you!

JOIN THE REBELLION! Signup for our newsletter and get our fave list of Instagram hashtags FREE!

YOU CAN FIND KELLY ONLINE AT:

www.helloworldpaperco.com
www.kellyparkersmith.com
www.helloworldstamps.etsy.com

YOU CAN FIND CAROLINE ONLINE AT:

www.carolinecreates.com
www.carolinecreates.etsy.com

 

SHOW YOUR REBEL SPIRIT WITH SOME AWESOME GEAR FROM THE CREATIVE BIZ REBELLION SHOP:

www.creativebizrebellion.com/shop

*This post does contain some affiliate links*