Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it.
Kin Ship Press is Dan Davis and me. We make hand-printed home goods and apparel out of our little home studio in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kin Ship started in 2009 as an art gallery, but we soon realized that organizing and showcasing other people’s work was totally exhausting, and we really wanted to just be making our own stuff. So, we stopped doing the gallery and started Kin Ship Press.
Tell us about your previous working situation.
I worked as a buyer/manager for a local boutique for almost 5 years. After spending many 16-hour days buying, selling, and promoting things that I felt little or no connection to, I realized that it was time to quit. Being kind of a workaholic, quitting wasn’t the easiest thing for me, but there were lots of other reasons that made me realize that I needed to move on. Financially, I wasn’t anywhere near being self-employed, but I knew that I needed to find a job that didn’t take up so much of my time and energy, so that I could work on Kin Ship. I got a few terrible temporary office jobs, and you know the kind: where 90% of your day is spent pretending that you’re working. I would sit there thinking about all the things I could be doing instead. Eventually I started working part time as a nanny for a 3-year-old girl. I did that for about a year and a half, while working evenings and weekends on our business.
How did you discover Etsy?
I’d known about Etsy for a few years, but I was kind of reluctant to use it for Kin Ship. I was afraid that our stuff would just get lost in thousands and thousands of listings, but my friend Kathleen of lolley told me that it was working out great for her and convinced me that we should give it a try — she was so right. Our sales in the first week few weeks on Etsy were more than the entire year that we had our own web store.
What is your favorite part of the process in design?
Most of the designs that I do involve photographs. I love packing up some of my old cameras and taking a random drive. The back roads of Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia are full of all kinds of gems. Most of the photos that I take are just for me, but sometimes I’ll take one and immediately know that I want to do something else with it.
What are your best marketing tips?
- Don’t be a jerk. People will find out and nobody wants to support a jerk’s business.
- Don’t be afraid of rejection. It’s going to happen. You’ll survive.
- Don’t try for world domination. You don’t have to be part of everything. Pick shops, blogs, magazines, and such to reach out to that would actually be a good fit for what you make.
What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?
We once paid to be part of a curated online holiday shop and that didn’t seem to do much for us. As for business mistakes, in the beginning we were definitely spreading ourselves too thin. It’s easy to get carried away with all the things you could be making, instead of just trying to make a few things really well. We’ve been working a lot on narrowing our focus, editing our designs, and, as Dan likes to say, “upping our game.”
What is the biggest challenge you face during your daily schedule?
Since our studio is in our house, sometimes I have to fight the urge to wash the dishes, fold my laundry, or sweep the floor. I’m serious.
What’s the hardest part about running your own business?
If something goes wrong, there’s usually not someone else to blame — except the cats. Also, sometimes making the same thing over and over can get repetitive. But anytime I start feeling sorry for myself I think about how I spent four years of my life doing data entry in a cubicle at an insurance office and that gets me to stop my whining real fast.
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job?
I love waking up without a sense of dread every morning. I really wish that for everyone.
What’s been your most popular item or line to date?
The “Counting Sheep” pillowcase has been the most popular so far. People seem to like sheeps and sleeps.
What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through Etsy?
Sending off packages to people all over the world. It’s kind of crazy to think that someone in France could be sipping their morning coffee out of one of the mugs that I made on our front porch. Or someone in Russia is laying their weary head on one of the pillowcases that Dan printed.
What advice would you give someone considering a similar path?
I would say try to not compare yourselves to others too much. Every person’s situation is different, so hearing what it took for someone else to quit their job might be completely different for you. I remember reading through some of the past “Quit Your Day Job” interviews and being so disheartened by reading things like “make sure you have one year’s worth of income saved up.” Although that would have obviously made things much easier, it wasn’t a reality for me. I’ve always lived paycheck to paycheck, so the option to save them wasn’t there. I didn’t qualify for loans or most credit cards, so those suggestions were also irrelevant. I just kept my day job until our business had grown to the point where it became obvious that I couldn’t do both anymore and that my daytime hours would be better spent working on Kin Ship. Luckily, so far that has proven to be true! So, if you’re considering a similar path, my advice would be to give it a try in a way that makes sense for you. Maybe don’t quit your day job right away, but build up to it. If it doesn’t work out, it’s not the end of the world. It’s still way better than regretting not even trying!
What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
Our number one goal is definitely to get Dan working on Kin Ship Press full time too. That’s the dream. We also want to do more wholesale orders and maybe attempt a trade show. We’re working on a new line of home goods for spring 2012 that we’re real excited about.
Anything else you would like to share?
I would probably not be a quitter of day jobs if it were not for the encouragement and support of these fine folks: Amber, Brent, Ashley, Eagle, Kathleen, Mom, Heidi, Woosley, and Claire. A million and one thanks to them. And heaps of thanks to everyone who has supported our shop. Happy new year, friends!
Thanks for sharing your story, Hillary. Check out her work in the Seller’s Items below.
96 comments
Sign in to add your ownArtigianoJewelBox says:
A great outlook and valuable advice... thanks for telling your story.
1 year ago
dayslonggone says:
A wonderful story! I love your shop! Congratulations!
1 year ago
susidjewelry says:
Thank you for sharing your story. I love the pillow cases.
1 year ago
mazedasastoat says:
Lovely quirky, original designs & some great advice about... err... doing your own thing & not necessarily following advice! I'm so glad I'm not the only person almost obsessed with taking photos "just for me"... mine were clogging up my computer memory so much that I've actually had to invest in an external hard drive to store them all on! :-)
1 year ago
tomsgrossmami says:
Thank you for sharing your story! Congratulations from Switzerand.
1 year ago
lutrell1 says:
Thank you so much for this article! It was very helpful to me. It helps with those self-doubts we tend to experience when we are in a new venture. Great advice. Your sheep theme is really "neat."
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Such a great story!!! Congrats to you!!! =)
1 year ago
materialworld says:
Very valuble advice! I envy your creativity. Continued success with your new line!
1 year ago
TheLittleBlueFox says:
"waking up with a sense of dread" I know that feeling! Great article very helpful, thanks! :]
1 year ago
cammiebaby says:
Wow! Congratulations and thanks for the advice.
1 year ago
SecondEditionJewelry says:
Thank you so much for your honest advice...congrats on being featured!
1 year ago
babiesandbabes says:
Very inspiring! thanks for your advise!
1 year ago
RivalryTime says:
Congrats!
1 year ago
fantasygarden says:
thank you for inspiring love your work
1 year ago
KatrinMdmB says:
This takes counting sheeps to the next level ;) So cute!
1 year ago
lorrainezoe says:
"If something goes wrong, there’s usually not someone else to blame — except the cats." can you being any cuter?! wonderful shop and great people! congrats!!
1 year ago
TheHickoryTree says:
Those counting sheep pillows are truly awesome. Waking up without a sense of dread is definitely a quotable quote. Great interview and congratulations on being featured.
1 year ago
TheBloomingThread says:
what a sweet shop! loved this feature~
1 year ago
Bibocks says:
Good advice. Thank you and Happy New Beginnings, Sheila Andreana
1 year ago
Iammie says:
Cute! Love your cat. :)
1 year ago
AkimaBotanicals says:
"But anytime I start feeling sorry for myself I think about how I spent four years of my life doing data entry in a cubicle at an insurance office and that gets me to stop my whining real fast." ----- Love it, great way to get motivated!
1 year ago
PolClary says:
What a gorgeous and fun shop, way to go. I too love sending packages all over the world.
1 year ago
HootieOwls says:
Very encouraging interview! "Every person’s situation is different, so hearing what it took for someone else to quit their job might be completely different for you." - I agree! Alot of people make it sound like their way is the ONLY way. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
Armalique says:
Great interview! And lovely shop : )
1 year ago
LabyrinthLeather says:
Such down to earth advice - thanks so much for sharing and good luck :)
1 year ago
LoellaMedina says:
Such a great story Hillary!! I love your point about not being a jerk, this is very important, no one ones to give their money to a jerk/someone rude. I also liked that you mentioned everyone's path to quitting their day job is different, although i'm of the school of save before you take the leap i'm also aware no one is in that position but like you said if you have been able to work it up to the point where your shop is doing well enough you feel confident then maybe that is the sign that is time to take the plunge and go for it. Congratulations and I wish you lots of luck!!!!
1 year ago
RedRavenStudios says:
Nice article guys! Congrats! xoxo
1 year ago
Laughingdogstudio says:
Just wonderful!
1 year ago
tributary says:
Wonderful shop! Congrats!
1 year ago
AronaDesigns says:
Lovely feature and such adorable items in your shop. I love the advice about doing it in the way that feels best for you...There is always advice coming from a million and one places, and sometimes it's hard to decide whose advice to follow because everyone is different!!
1 year ago
TheBotanicalBox says:
Finally, I've met someone who knows exactly how I feel. Your advice is encouraging, relate-able, and your items are beautiful. Thank you for doing this article!
1 year ago
LizzyLizano says:
Awesome! Those pillow cases are great ;)
1 year ago
raspberrybutterflies says:
Love it, congrats on quitting your day job!
1 year ago
lindaketelhut says:
A Wonderful feature. Love your shop and products. It's so gratifying making a living doing what you love - congrats on your success!
1 year ago
DreamsByRosy says:
I just started my shop on etsy and feel frustated at times as trying to juggle so many things. Reading your story is inspirational and appreciate your advice.
1 year ago
BroccoliHouse says:
very simple! love your works congrats!!
1 year ago
bythecoco says:
unique and wonderful advice! congratulations!
1 year ago
TNHeritage says:
Love your advice! There are so many ways to start a business, and having a years savings is just not practical to so many people in this economy. Great items in your shop too! I really like the pillowcases. Congrats!
1 year ago
glusk says:
Great shop and I am so glad you no longer wake up with dread any longer!
1 year ago
MotherEagle says:
Love this. You sound like a kindred spirit, I identify with lots of what you say!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Well done! Continued success to you.
1 year ago
justindurand says:
a great read! love your stuff.
1 year ago
HellsSewingCircle says:
love it! well deserved :D i need some new pillowcases too... and being featured is a lasting opportunity because if you ever feel blue you can come back and read all the amazing comments!
1 year ago
estatesaletreasures says:
You have a lovely shop. Great Advice! I know where to get my next set of pillow cases...too sweet! I wish you all the best!
1 year ago
SusanFaye says:
I'm with you-- always resist the urge to do the dishes and sweeping and always blame the cats! LOL There are much more important things to focus on when you have an Etsy shop! Best wishes for continued success.
1 year ago
fiera2 says:
Thank you for this. You said a lot of things I needed to hear.
1 year ago
MegnificentCo says:
Adorable shop!
1 year ago
driftforever says:
Great article! Congrats!!
1 year ago
CreativeCardsForYou says:
This is a wonderful feature! Congratulations! :)
1 year ago
wmalexalvarez says:
I love your designs! amazingness!
1 year ago
bjsdesign says:
Very nicely done! Congrats!
1 year ago
EndQuotes says:
Love your work!!
1 year ago
percivalroad says:
congrats! inspiring feature...
1 year ago
memorable1 says:
Thanks for sharing your story, so inspiring!
1 year ago
peshka says:
Love your work! Beautiful designs!
1 year ago
Unwrap says:
This is really inspirational! I recently realized that I would really like to work full time at my own handmade business, but I, like you did, do not have any savings or years of experience. It is nice to hear the encouragement that with smart decision-making and deep dedication I can very likely make my dream a reality. Thanks again!
1 year ago
DesignsByNancyT says:
Love your designs! Thanks so much for your story!
1 year ago
JewelryByDeezines says:
I love your advise around "when to quit your day job". I'm waiting for the right point in time to quit mine! Congrats and best of luck to you in 2012 and beyond!
1 year ago
hoosiermamma1 says:
It was so refreshing to hear you say not to compare myself with others. I get discouraged when the first things I see in the quit your day job blogs are, "I graduated from design school" or the "art academy". I too live paycheck to paycheck and have conceded to the fact that before I can take the leap of faith and full-time crafting, I will have to get busy on some debt reduction. The year's worth of saving, just ain't gonna happen. LOL! Great article and good luck on your shop. Love your items!
1 year ago
Maysworld says:
What sweet designs ! One day i dream to have what you have, to be able to do exactly what i want - with a little discipline, because really, what else is life than that? :)
1 year ago
mattjohnsondesigns says:
I'm really glad I stumbled on this article! I'd stopped reading these "Quit your day job" posts because they always chronicled someone who was bored with their $300,000 a year job and moved to a farmhouse and got a fully equipped shop and was successful (again) very quickly with no real risk or struggle. This article relates to my situation (and so many other struggling creative types) in almost every way. I am watching my art business slowly grow and am wondering when my time to quit my day job will come as well, and was so inspired to hear from someone who did it their own way, as I will. Congrats to you!
1 year ago
joonijewelry says:
Lovely article♥♡ "Quit Your Day Job" series used to be so overwhelming for me but now whatever I read hear reaches my heart very smoothly. I do agree. Comparing yourself to others don't do any good at all. It might need a certain amount of strength to pursue your passion but you won't regret if that's your own decision! Congrats :)
1 year ago
goldajean says:
Great designs and great story. You are very inspiring. Your creative edge is so obvious and I wish you all the best.
1 year ago
Colourscape says:
What a fab shop you have! I had to laugh at your cat sitting in front of the blackboard, it's a carbon copy of our girl, right down to that expression lol Congrats on the feature :)
1 year ago
ElizabethMD says:
Wonderful support thank you for the reminder!
1 year ago
kendrasred says:
Awesome shop, a great article and a much-needed read. Thank you!
1 year ago
ThePaperNut says:
I especially find it hope-promoting that you were able to Quit Your Day Job without having to have a rich husband or Daddy to foot the bill. I've often worried that making a fledgling creative venture won't work unless you have someone with bucks to back your hobby (i.e. Kate Spade making handbags in her garage). Thanks for showing us all that we CAN do with talent, confidence, and perseverance.
1 year ago
zakonek says:
Love it. Truly unique and inspiring!
1 year ago
ConstantGalore says:
Wonderful article! Great shop!
1 year ago
CopperheadCreations says:
Hillary, this is such an inspiration to read! Congratulations on your success - you've got a great shop - and thank you for sharing your story.
1 year ago
electricelephant says:
Love the inspiration. Your designs are wonderful.
1 year ago
HAUSofNAHRIN says:
Awesome! It would be so nice to quit one's dayjob :) Great work & Congrats on the feature!!!
1 year ago
teddieuhi says:
love it they are so cute wish the best of luck in all you do.
1 year ago
chapelhil says:
The BEST Quit your day job blog I have read! So real and honest! It gives me hope that one day I can be where you are....and yes, I do have that "sit in your cubical job" Thanks, Emily
1 year ago
Fruitfulhandproducts says:
LOVE your items!
1 year ago
toadallybowlicious says:
Congratulations and lets hope we can all follow in your footsteps :-)
1 year ago
happymaxdesigns says:
I love your things, especially the pillowcases! And, your story, thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
GroggyFroggy says:
I needed this. Thank you!!! Love your things!
1 year ago
RedFernVintage says:
so cute!
1 year ago
CLfabulousbeads1 says:
Great information and Congrats on your success so far
1 year ago
TwoRoadsDiverged says:
Thanks for your advice. Very realistic view.
1 year ago
alohaphoto says:
Thanks for the tips. Your shop is awesome :)
1 year ago
strawberryluna says:
Yay! Great interview guys! Congrats :) xo
1 year ago
ArtworkzByCheri says:
One of the best! Honest, sincere and straight to the point. Thank you for sharing your story with us and may God bless!
1 year ago
juliekarsky says:
Thank you for sharing your wonderful success story. Good luck to you and have a Blessed and prosperous New Year.
1 year ago
evesand says:
Love, love your shop! Thanks for the great advice, this is honestly the best and most applicable I've read here :) It is encouraging to read about someone who also juggled an office day job and creative work for a while. All the best in the New Year!
1 year ago
EukoShop says:
Thank you for sharing your story! I love the aesthetic of your shop and the items you create.... I love the look of the His & Hers pillowcases so much that I'm planning on buying a set. Maybe then my husband will stop stealing my pillow! Congrats on the success and keep up the lovely work :)
1 year ago
miniEnvy says:
it's like you were talking just to me. very good read.
1 year ago
SparkBoxStudio says:
Great interview. Love your work! We have so many of the same ups and downs (especially trying not to do laundry or dishes in the middle of the day). Thanks for the post :)
1 year ago
whatanovelidea says:
Great article. I start a one month break from my day job on Monday. I'm calling it "my mental health month" where I can take some time to create new designs and to see if I can survive without the security of a weekly pay check. So that's my advice. Take some time to judge whether quiting your day job is feasible. Thanks for all your advice!
1 year ago
ChristianCalligraphy says:
Awesome!!
1 year ago
PearsAndPeaches says:
Livin the dream! I love it. Congratulations - what an inspiration!
1 year ago
WestCermak says:
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's so great to read about starting a business from a different perspective and offering different advice.
1 year ago
MysticalRaindrops says:
Living the dream. Congratulations.
1 year ago
kelley Dabeers from DabeersCustoms says:
wow really good advice
1 year ago
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1 year ago