A Summit on Small Business and Sustainability

YAY!!! AWESOME!!!!!! I would love to learn more about web site building and your brand. We have info on marketing, photography, etc... but nothing on website building.

Also legal stuff....... Give us some small business legal advise.

I would so love to attend! Berlin is the perfect place for this conference and I truly envy those who will be able to go.

Woohoo! I'd love to attend too...if it was closer. I love the ideas from JudiPaintedit!

Sounds very awesome! Is there some way to stream any of the content so those of use who arent able to attend (or arent fortunate to have a conference in a city near to us) can still benefit? thatd be great! I'd love to gain more knowledge of the in's and out's of running a SUCCESSFUL small business. Thanks Etsy!

Thanks for organizing this--it's a movement gaining ground, and it's high time for the world to look at sustainable alternatives such as micro economies and local consumption. I'd like to see more how-tos on photography, especially lighting; Photoshop or Gimp; financial/accounting/inventory tracking. How to organize a co-op or guild.

Oh man, I am going to Berlin in March...I think I'll just wait around for the conference to start. :-)

Wow, it sounds like a great conference. Wonder how I could swing it...

Thank you very much for the info!

Excellent! Ditto JudiPaintedit, legal stuff would be helpful.

This conference sounds amazing. I am checking my calendar to see if I'm able to make it! How exciting! Thanks for organizing such a great event.

Wow! It is actually possible for me to go there! Yay!

Awesome! Sounds like fun!

Lucky!! Thats sounds great!

it sounds great...

great!

I have been saying this for the past 15 years!! The future of any economy lays in the small to medium size businesses. Europe has realized this 20 years ago and the European Union since back then came up with special grant programs and promotions. I was still living in Greece at the time and caught the beginning of it. We as small business owners and artists have a versatility and a quickness that big companies don't. We can very quickly turn around and renew or renovate our products, and stay ahead of the bad copies that are made of our work in some other country and flood the market. They make molds out of our work and have to use them. We can make a new beautiful product quicker than they can keep up with us, and so on... I love seeing Etsy becoming an influential force in this matter, it's wonderful that there are still some visionaries in this world. We all MUST help it!! Thank you Etsy

What a wonderful and timely event! I would attend if it was at all possible. For those who are undecided but are able to, it's worth the investment not only for the networking and knowledge to be gained but also for the support and publicity that can be shown and generated from a group of responsible, passionate, and driven small business owners. Good luck to the organizers!

This sounds like an amazing opportunity! I'm so excited!

I love it!

This sounds amazing! Hopefully you will come to a city near me soon!

Can you video tape it and make it available online?

I think this is a wonderful idea. Having a place to sit down and really analyze what's working, set future goals, and get organized with the support of others will be wonderful to do face to face. I am particularly interested in the development of micro-economies. As the world has globalized I think many of us are seeing some bad results of the strain it puts on the earth, and how takes away from direct community growth. I would like to see information not just on developing ones personal business but also a more broad approach of how independent businesses can continue to organize and influence the worlds economies.

I love what blueroompottery had to say! So happy to see that these issues of small business being accepted and vital are coming around.

Sounds like a great event, plus it'd be cool to visit Berlin. I can't wait to find out more!

Sounds like an excellent idea!

Legal and organization. I believe that we are all artistic in one way, and we do it because we love it. Now we need to know to nurture it and how it can grow. I love what I do with all my heart but don't know where to go from here.

Thanks for the wonderful article!~

Sounds like a great idea.

sounds amazing, wish i could be there!

How fantastic! I'll be sad to miss this....

Sounds like an amazing opportunity! Wish I was closer.

Amen to organizing this vital event. We all can make a difference. Thank you for your commitment to sustainability. Cheers, Mandy

Since Berlin is only one hour plane trip away I will be there. Betya! My admiration for Etsy is growing every day. Now this, it only shows how serious you are. Very good. So interesting.

This is so exciting! And very necessary. Can't wait to watch the sessions or get to go to a similar conference in the future in the states!

What a great idea. Thanks so much for puting something like this together! I'd love to learn more about sourcing supplies (where to get bulk quantities of good quality supplies that are made in an eco-friendly way, and are fair-trade), business book-keeping, and would love to hear from start-ups that maybe didn't make it, and why (kind of a "learn from our mistakes" class. like the opposite of "Quit you day job"). This it exciting! thanks Etsy!

I love this and think it is LONG overdue!! Thanks so much Etsy!

very cool... but darn wish it was state side.

interesting....

Eee! ^_^

Such a great idea, and Germany could be an option for me - looking forward to seeing who will be speaking and more details. Wow.

I would love to visit Berlin and attend this summit!!

How about having the conference accessible online too? That would be great!

I'd love to be able to participate online...Will that be possible? Sounds like a great opportunity to get some really useful information!

I will like that too, able to attend on line. There are so many topics of interest for me: social media for example

Thank you Etsy you do a great job - as always!

Why isn't any of this stuff ever near me?! Oh... I remember! I'm in Wisconsin :P

This looks fantastic! I would love to go but living in Australia makes it a bit hard. I love the idea of online participation too. It would be wonderful to see video streaming so we don't miss out!

Wow, sounds so interesting. Why Germany, though? Would have loved to learn how to advance my wedding business :(

Etsy is already so global... Germany is the leader in solar energy - what a great connection to be making - Thanks Etsy!!

Great idea- thank you Etsy for making shopping in the marketplace fun, interesting, and personable again!

Wow-this would be so great to attend! looking forward to hearing more!

Sounds very interesting! I would very much like to attend. Can't wait to hear more about the event.

GREAT! And finally this is on my continent!!! Pilli pilli might jut have to get on a plane to Berlin to be there those two glorious day!!! :D I'm looking forward to it! *Thanks!*

I would love to see some workshops/speakers on becoming successful while raising a family (especially young kids). I would be happy to host a round table...

Oh that sounds great! I'll try to be in Berlin at that time, hopefully nothing else comes up. I like the fact you want to inspire people to buy handmade. Insist of the value of handmade items. They might be more expensive but they're unique and you chose them with care. To help sellers I think you should cover up: - marketing - social network (which is closely related to marketing in our cases) - customer service (which is the reason why people buy handmade in the first place) Someone said "legal stuff". But I don't see how you could do that. Law is different from country to country and even between France and Germany there's a world of difference. Maybe trying to direct people to the right competences. And although I'm not keen on making the conference I'll gladly answer questions on a little booth :D But anyway, thanks a lot! This is so exciting I can't wait to be there :)

and also on cooperative ownership structures/ hiring employees.

It appears that there is a need for administrative/business expertise. In America, there are so many displaced persons with these backgrounds, who are well versed in local law, personnel issues, etc. It would be wise to encourage the establishment of work from home micro-economy administrators, who could provide contracted support to artists, vendors, etc. Thank you for always being on the "bleeding edge" Aloha!

Brilliant! And I love Berlin, so... I've been to a session on photography from Etsy and the only problem with it was that it wasn't really a workshop, more a lecture. I think something more hands on where we bring our cameras and there are photo-savvy folks (and I know there are TONNES in the Etsy community) to tutor us amateurs in small groups. I think that would be infinitely useful. Also, I agree with WoodlandCottage and many others about finance/inventory/accounting. I'm hopeless with these things, as I think a lot of creatives probably are.

I love how Etsy supports small business. I think people are ready to merge away from big corporations and shop for more personal and meaningful items. Thanks for all you do!!

This is a really interesting initiative - go Etsy!! I would be interested to see something on writing business plans (why should I bother and how do I do it), something on basic accounting skills, maybe a photoshop/photo editing session and maybe something about building a brand/the need to copyright your ideas etc... Also lots of fun social and crafty activities of course!

so exciting!

I wish I could be there..!

this sounds amazing! although i won't be able to attend, I look forward to hearing what will be going on! :) xox

Great!

What an incredible event - I would love to be able to make it! Thank you for offering such a great opportunity to all us small business people! :)

What a fantastic idea! I'd love to be able to make it:)

I wish I was in Germany so I could go! This sounds amazing :) Congrats to Etsy for their first conference :)

this sounds fantastic - is there a way to broadcast this event? can we get a summary somehow?

Very exciting! I hope it is the first of many.

I am thrilled about this event. Congrats to etsy and all of its wonderful people committed to redefining what commerce ought to look like. Wishing you all the best.

This sounds super interesting!

sounds awfully tempting. I just don't know if I could afford it but I've always wanted to visit Berlin.

Keep growing etsy. Hooray for small business.

Absolutely Time for this:) I just signed up !

Thank you so much for your suggestions so far! We are very excited about "Hello Etsy" and it's great to see that you are, too. We know that not everyone will be able to make it to Berlin. Therefore, most keynote sessions will also be broadcast via the web, and downloadable workshop guides will be available. Also we are planning to host small-business oriented events in cities around the world in the lead-up to the conference.

GO ETSY!!! great initiative! I would personally like to hear about how to make good and effective marketing! We are waiting really excited!

Really excited about this event and an excuse to take a trip to Europe!

As always - wonderful notion and a clear example of Etsy putting their money where their mouths are and using logic, integrity and heart to light the way for us all! Some brain storming sessions or mini lectures on advise on how to encourage more reticent, corporate brainwashed local folk to let go of the notion that all that we promote and strive for in the Etsy Community isn't mere 'tree hugging poppycock' could be helpful. There seems to be a misguided notion that handmade, Organic and mindfully sustainable products are the reserve of the 'posh' or financially advantaged...how to get through this mentality in the least 'preachy' was possible is surely key to the success of micro-economies - help! :o) other topics previous members have mentioned sound fantastic too but we have unswerving faith that there will be something for everyone and I really hope to be able to attend! ***Happy Friday*** Katya Xx

Great!

beautiful

Thanks Matt - per your recommendation I asked for 'Deep Economy' for Christmas. I got it and read it in about 2 days. My husband's reading it now. I'm all over it!

The focus seems forever on how to present/network/market in order to sell. "How to sell" is not really the problem. The problem here lies in how the decision "to buy" is made, or whether to buy at all. Shops or the sellers are not somehow lacking. Most sales of this nature are transacted within the circle of those who understand this whole ethic. Those who understand readily buy in, literally. Sellers are the buyers in a closed loop. Here's the rub: Conscious consumers buy mainly necessities and the occasional meaningful treat. It's a utilitarian sensibility. That ethic is already much stronger in Europe. While in America, mindless consumption and rabid demand for "cheap" and frivolous is a disgrace, a "lifestyle" choice many will actually defend! The problem is the hundreds of millions of mindless consumers. SplyPixie is so right on. So how to get people to raise the bar on quality, get them out of the habit of accepting poor quality, planned obsolescence and trendy frivolties soaked in formaldehyde. Get people conscientious, to want "smart", to expect excellence, or bespoke customization. What really makes the difference? 2 words: Educated Consumers. Sellers must show up offering something with meaningful, practical and lasting value, but beyond this, they are now called upon to educate more consumers and get outside the box. The sheer numbers that make up the beast of mindless consumption is astounding. How to move beyond this closed loop model and expand into the "mainstream" consumption taking place while maintaining the integrity? Thanks for all that you are doing through etsy and affiliates. Keep up the good works. :)

great idea! Small business and handmade is about.. best quality, customer respect, eco friendly, unique and expression of new ideas! I hope that taking actions like this will really help to educate customers as StrangeVagaries said. Etsy as a global community has a great power to help on all these issues. I do like the "Think globally act locally" It's very difficult for me to be at Berlin but I would not say no to an Athens - Greece hosted event ... :)))

Excellent idea! I would be interested in a discussion around manufacturing. How do you manage to make your products sustainably, ethically but affordable? Excellent post and I will be sure to sign up for the newsletter.

brilliant idea!

This sounds exciting! Keep us posted!

It's wonderful to see event like these really happening in a world that looks more and more like ownership of the big companies! I wish I'll be able to come to Berlin. Will be a good excuse for eating some pretzel and drinking some beer! :p But if not as Antigoni said 4 posts up it would be lovely if one of the following events to be in Greece! :)

sounds amazing. It is pretty far from me, I am in the Caribbean, but I would like to possibly attend any workshop in USA. Miami is pretty close, so I will keep my eyes on. Thank you!

Go Etsy! How about a video summary for those of us who are unable to attend?

That is an awesome idea! I'd like to be there! And, I think, the ewerk is a great place for such an event! I’m new at etsy, I’ve opened my shop just before christmas. The etsy community helped me a lot in these crisis times when I couldn’t earn money in my original profession, in architecture, and I tought a lot what can I do with my life, with my creativity,... where can I go with my questions... and now is a great feeling to see how the world is opening for me - in a geographic and in a figurative sense, too! I appreciate very much your work in sustanaibility, your helpful attitude and your useful advices in building small businesses! I’m happy to be part of such a community!

Thank you. I will try to be in Berlin

Excellent Matt! We'll be there!! :D

Berlin has a great contemporary arts scene. I'd love to see a feature on the fine art offerings on Etsy while they are there - The Etsy/Berlin Art Fair perhaps?? Mmmmmm...

A thought for a conference/breakout topic: How to reconcile worldwide internet commerce with the idea of participating in a local economy (wrestling with this a bit myself)

Great opportunity! I knew there was another reason (other than just for following the man of my life here) for living in Germany! It would be great to hear about SEO, Social Media, some photoshop/ gimp tricks, offline marketing for online businesses and all those other things we should know about but never knew we did. Thanks!

This sounds like a great idea! I wonder if a synopsis or information shared will be posted later on the site.

I am SO there!

Berlin is far from me, Yet This will be great opportunity for small business

To be honest, I expect from an etsy summit than workshops and lectures on photography, SEO, social media or business advice. All of these are important and some kind of workshop structure will be good to address these issues in smaller groups, but what I really expect is a bigger and inspiring picture about the changes that are happening - and surely etsy is part of these changes towards a re-evaluation of "crafts" and "handmade". Therefore I think you should invite people like - Richard Sennett ("The Craftman"and other publications) - Matthew B. Crawford ("Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work") or even - Tom Hodgkinson ("How to be Idle", "How to Be Free"and others). Other possibilities for interesting speakers include - Daniel H. Pink ("Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself" - this really is etsy!) - Richard Floriday ("The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life" - not new, but mind- and eye-opening) For speakers coming from Germany Jochen Kuhnen (Kassel), Sabine Wilp (Leitung Handwerksform, Hannover) and John Stopford (Luckau) come to mind who are all actively engaged with some aspects of the crafts/arts/handmade. Somebody you might think about to invite are the people from the British Crafts Council. As far as I'm aware it's a unique institution in Europe, they have a lot of experience and they have facts and figures to present. Yes, I've done my research - so if you're looking for a versatile speaker, active seller on etsy and shop-owner with all the theoretical background, too, drop me a line! (And yes, I speak German if you want me to, too). And if you need more ideas of have follow-up questions on my suggestions, drop me a line, too! Looking forward to see you in Berlin

I'd like to learn more about creating your own individual online space - as in finding your customers, and building a brand.

I can't wait, not only for the content but also to meet many inspiring and creative peeps! :)

I'd love you to invite Wayne Hemingway to speak - he did a talk on vintage and sustainability recently and was hugely inspiring. I'll be there!

My husband and I are avid etsy fans and American artists moving to Germany in late August or early September. We're hoping to start an artist co-op there, so it would be amazing to attend this and learn more about how creative entrepreneurship in Germany / how to look for sources of gov't funding, etc to foster a community of working artists. Thanks!! :)

Hey all! Thanks so much for your suggestions and comments. It's all taking shape more and more. We will soon present the final homepage www.helloetsy.com and some speakers and sessions that have already been confirmed. Sign up for the newsletter to be informed.

Very interesting, indeed! I am a Berliner and live in Wisconsin, USA, right now! You chose a GREAT place for your first-ever conference!!! Berlin clearly holds the energy of "Avantgarde", "Thinking outside the box", the "Revolutionary" and big time "Freedom"! Berlin is a melting pot, a vortex where things come together, are taken apart and put together in a new way, spiraling out into the world. As artists, we are on the foreground of creation. Recreating and recreating ourselves! The art world is changing drastically. What I have been thinking about is how I can be the creator of my art and fill at the same time the gap that the vanishing of distribution networks, such as galleries, left. I often feel overwhelmed when it comes down to doing all the other 'jobs' that come with promoting my art, such as working on my website, photoshopping my pictures, applying for art shows or grant projects, showing my work to galleries, framing paintings, printing cards, and it goes on and on, and then still find the time for the MOST IMPORTANT: PAINTING (which is what I LOOOOVE)!!! It is about 'Being in the job' versus 'Being on the job', the creator vs. the manager. Currently, I am doing both, as a lot of us, I think. I really want to be the creator, paint, paint, paint, and not wonder about 'how do I get my Beauties out into the world'! These are just some thoughts that I've been pondering, and I don't have an answer...

Sounds like a fantastic idea!

Please please please, let us all know what is talked about when it happens...Im in Australia and Its proberly a bit far for me to go for a conference

Far out - I'll actually be in Germany then (for 5 wks from Australia) but will be at a wedding then. Sounds wunderbar!

Perfect excuse to visit Berlin for the first time. I'm already excited, can't wait to find out more about tickets and speakers. I'll have to start looking at flights! yay.

So exciting!! Hope I can attend. Thanks Etsy!

Fantastic! I will definitely try to make it! Information about the legal aspects of selling worldwide from Germany as a small business (and of course any other legal information) will be more than appreciated. Thank you for organizing such an event! Best, Oukassa

Fantastic! I will definitely try to make it! Information about the legal aspects of selling worldwide from Germany as a small business (and of course any other legal information) will be more than appreciated. Thank you for organizing such an event! Best, Oukassa

This is great, we will definitly be there. Sounds really interesting and I am convinced I am going to learn many things about how to run a small business. Also the location looks amazing, I love those old buildings that have been rehabilitated. We might have a suggestion of a topic: shipping. We seem to have problems finding the right approach for worldwide shipping. Which company to chose, knowing that depending on the size and weight of the package, the costs can be very different from one compagny to another. For example, is it a good idea to subscribe to one compagny to reduce the shipping costs ? Things like that. I don't know if it's a topic that could be part of the conference, but I thought I would mention it here. Anyway, what a great initiative, we'll be there ! Olivier and Caroline from Öppning

I do agree with öppning... Shipping is my "black dot": it's really expensive, and the majority of shipping companies just don't care about the environment... So maybe there could be a topic about that? And I'm so looking forward september... We were wondering if we would go to Berlin to see some friends, and now we know we have to! Yay!

OMG! I'm SO excited!!! How do I get tickets? Definately going for sure : )

That's crazy. I just talked to a german organizer of a craft market about the idea of making a conference. I thought about Profile Intermedia Conference wich was an amazing festival of crossover arts, music, design and film in Bremen and the possibility of doing the same for the uprising handmade scene. Thank you for making it real! It was always a very inspiring event and Hello Etsy sounds too!

etsy does it again.. a great event, certain to produce even more great ideas. workshop or information on cradle to cradle certification for hand made products could be interesting!

Thats great, I'm new in this handmade world and as I leave in Zurich things can be really expensive and also you dont really find any courses for handmede cosmetics, so I do alot of resaerch on the internet or by reading books. but the internet can be sometimes misleading. for me very interesting would be a workshop of how to keep the products fresh for selling, eg. Vitamin E as a preservative.

Looks great.......thank you...

Great!! too far for me to to travel though with the cost of things these days. i hope they will have on in the US too in future days. Small business is the best!! And i would much rather support small handmade and vintage than corporate

Wow! What a great idea! It would be awesome if you held a competition for a free trip there!

I love this! I also like MarKheds idea of the free trip contest. I would love to go.

Holy Awesome Batman!!! How rad, my only regret is that I won't be in Berlin for this. BUt you guys go forth and rock ON. Congratulations and have a super summit. I know you will! Can't wait to hear all about it. xo

i love the idea...i want to go there too with all my KAWAII PRODUCTS...maybe there i can sell it all...!

Too much jet fuel from where I live. Good luck with the summit! http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db5d04d649a6d91dbaffa4a/you-go-etsy?index=0

Wow! Sooo many wonderful, educated, researched, motivated people out there! I'm definitely going - beam me up, Scotty!!

oh this will be fantastic! i can't wait to see the amazing line-up you'll put together, lovelies!

Wonderful!! This is a great opportunity!

What a brilliant idea!:}

This is fantastic, I've been waiting it from Etsy for a long time! I started saving money already to make it to Berlin from Istanbul for the event! :)

Wonderful idea I will start saving money for tickets. Looking forward to come to Berlin

Thanks for organizing this !

I WOULD LIKE TO GO... love the idea

Wow. We look forward for Etsy to come to Thailand. :)

Ohhhhh! how exciting! Talking to the husband tonight! :)

So great to have another reason to re-visit Berlin soon. Got my ticket right today, very much looking forward to this event!

Oh I hope so much I can make it, I really try my Best :)

I'm sure we will all be learning new tips from the conference. I will participating online.

Great idea! I'm sure it will be a helpful tool for those that get to attend. Enjoy!

OMG I might actually be in Berlin that week to visit friends. How exciting!!!

wish i could be there!

Good Luck! "Decades of an unyielding focus on economic growth and a corporate mentality has left us ever more disconnected with nature, our communities, and the people and processes behind the objects in our lives. We think this is unethical, unsustainable, and unfun." I hope etsy never becomes a place that has its focus on economic growth and corporate mentality....that would be so unfun!

great message; i hope their will be more conferences! and what a perfect little tote that says it all!

Wow ! Bark for Deutschland !

Wow I would love to go do you plan to do any confrences in the U.S ? A drawing for free tickets is a great idea Thevintageattic10 Loves Etsy let celebrate in my shop 20% off anything in shop .. Let 's go Etsy !!

Love the tote !

When all is said and done, I would be grateful for a transcript of events/speakers, if that's possible. : )

This is right up my street. Im getting so excited with the future of Sustainable Crafting! Will definately be getting my ticket for a satelite event in England. Watch this space heloo world:)

Wow I SO WISH I could go to this. Sounds so awesome + I love Douglas Rushkoff! I'm actually reading his "life, inc." right now - highly recommended!

This sounds just incredible. How awesome. Go Etsy!

This week I had my workshop/shed erected. Next week I hope to be making. Come September my best friend and I will in Berlin! Looking forward to meeting etsy people and learning all my tiny brain can hold. I love visiting Berlin. So looking forward to this.

Would love to go and represent the sleeping giant that is Latin America community as REALLY TALENTED buyers, sellers and artists.

We would love to get there but we need your help!! We'll be live tweeting and sharing all of the news and info from Hello Etsy! Head here to help us get there!! http://www.indiegogo.com/Berlin-by-September Thank you!

I would love to go, but unfortunately I cannot make it.... maybe next year !

OOOOOHHH WOWWWW! How exciting, but Berlin is a bit far. Still, I'd LOVE to go!!! Hope you guys have lots of fun!

Hello everybody - I have to sell my TICKET! Unfortunately I can't take part of HELLO ETSY in September in Berlin due to familiy business.... Please write me a message if you are interested to buy one for 65 € (it is the early bird special - no longer available). Best WoolCoolective

I'm working with a production company in London and they are looking for interesting Etsy creatives to take part in a little video. Anyone interested please contact me and I'll chat through more info.

Sounds AMAZING! If only it wasn't in Germany ! Oh well, Have fun to the people who are going!!!

Is there any plans to host the conference talks on the Etsy site so we can all take part? These could later be watched by others via pod casts once the conference is over. I know the technology is available... just look at all the education via the web and such. It seems like a perfect opportunity and I would certainly be interested in watching them. Live and/or afterwords. I think these are things that are relevant to everyone's businesses as we move forward in a 'more enlighten' society. Unfortunately, with the economy the way it is, I suspect the majority of Etsy Shop owners won't be able to physically attend. Thanks for any information about this possibility... or perhaps a notice about it to shopkeepers.

Wow! Congratulations! wish i was going too, i love to travel,anyway best of luck.I agree with sassy Treasures to host the conference talks on the Etsy site.