The Storque - Comments for article: Etsy's First Five Years

Wow, wow, wow

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:36:01 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: tortillagirl

Wow, wow, wow. Years from now I'll be able to tell my grandchildren, "I remember when..." Thanks to Etsy and its future investors for allowing independent designers like myself who believe in TRUE handmade reach other markets by having a secure place to sell online. I'm truly thankful and very happy to be a part of it. Congrats to everyone at Etsy!

Wow. I'm inc

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:54:18 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: mandinka

Wow. I'm incredibly inspired and excited about OUR Etsy future together. Just Wow.

Perfect.

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:42:19 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: EarthBabyDesigns

Perfect. (And the resident preschooler requests this video frequently).

p.s. there

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:06:10 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: sewbettie

p.s. there are ebay sellers who have made millions - here's to hoping for etsy millionaries in the next 2.5 years!

Congrats! I c

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:04:54 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: sewbettie

Congrats! I can't wait to be able to buy stock in Etsy -- with money I have made on Etsy. How cool would that be?

Thanks for sh

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:14:29 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: smashgirl

Thanks for sharing your vision. It's exciting to be a part of Etsy! Swimmy is one of my favorite childhood stories, and listening to you read it made me want to go get my blankie:)

I think this

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:43:42 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: Cuppeecake

I think this has already been mentioned in other ways; but human rights, fair business practice and green thought in business is a huge part of why I craft and plan on growing my small business one day. Etsy, as it is, speaks to all of those needs and for this reason I have started my journey as a small business here. However, I am unclear about how a company can share board members and NOT be connected? Insight on this would be appreciated.

I think this

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:42:25 -0000

I used to rea

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:56:23 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: citizenfox

I used to read Swimmy to my students when I was a teacher. So cool to see it used here. Thanks for the article. I'm excited to be a part of Etsy and to watch it grow.

I do hope the

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:36:57 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: electrikolor

I do hope the infusion of money comes with strong guidance, as I believe that is the part that is sorely lacking. For every "idea" or "visionary" person, there needs to be someone on the other side posing the "realistic" expectations to balance the equation. I hope that Etsy takes the time to address the concerns of your "seller" customers, and does the things that might help entice those who've become disenchanted back to a better place. I'll be watching, but expect that the new bucket of VC will be spent all too quickly on things that won't benefit your sellers.

This should b

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:37:10 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: melbamc

This should be required reading for anyone who joins Etsy. How inspiring! I feel so...valued and important. We are part of something amazing. We are becoming the change we want to see in the world... Thank you!

Since Etsy is

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:16:44 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: dingo

Since Etsy is a company that holds the license to a great deal of copyrighted material uploaded by its customers, I certainly hope that it has shown the proper respect for copyright and the law and obtained subsidiary rights from the copyright holder of "Swimmy" to reproduce its artwork in video and publicly perform it. I saw or heard no notice of any license in the video itself, or the article.

"The price of

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:58:20 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: SpankMe

"The price of greatness is responsibility."- Sir Winston Churchill

"The price of

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:57:21 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: SpankMe

"The price of greatness is responsibility." Sir Winston Churchill

Thanks, Andy.

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:37:07 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: sherrytruitt

Thanks, Andy. I wasn't bright enough to think of that.

I posted the

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:34:02 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: sherrytruitt

I posted the following questions in the fora, and was told to ask here instead: I conduct my business with ethics and civility and it is in that vein I ask the following: 1. Since you have public stated your aversion to Walmart and what it stands for, is that not in diametric opposition to etsy taking large capital infusion from a member who sits on the board ? 2. What will become of etsy once the lenders or partners purport changes? Accel Partners is known for taking small firms, shoring them up and selling them to giant corporations. For example adCEN aquired by Microsoft, and Collabra, by Netscape. There are many others. 3. Since over 25% of ety's revenue is currently garnered from commercial supplies and vintage, will the new investors, shareholders, etc expect that to continue? After all, Walmart is first and foremost about low, low prices. So, what kind of infrustructure can be put into place to ensure the handmade revolution can continue? 4. Will capital infusion quickly change those site functons that to not operate with consistency? Can we correspond with customer service via live chat? 5. How do you envision etsy in the corporate marketplace? Will we stand apart or succumb? Thanks in advance.

Interesting a

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:22:12 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: andymathis

Interesting about Walmart. Sherry posted questions for the town hall meeting in the forums. It's too long to retype. http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5446763

I look forwar

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:30:52 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: magicjelly

I look forward to seeing site improvements, in particular, a category overhaul, advanced search, marketing, the drafting of policy & customer service. I hope this happens soon, now you have the resources. I'd really like to see media appearances directed towards drawing in buyers, not just recruiting sellers too. And an infrastructure that truly supports original & one of a kind items, as the people making them find it difficult to be seen in a sea of high-volume sellers of commercial items & reproductions. After all, it's supposed to be a site to buy all things handmade. I'm very optimistic about Etsy's future - can't wait to see what happens next!

Vanessa, I d

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:43:23 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: interrobang

Vanessa, I don't think I said anything that wasn't true. I said I hope her comment doesn't get deleted (true!) and that many comments do (also true). There have been a number of constructive and intelligent comments deleted in the past. Questions about privacy have been deleted, along with remarks about functionality and censorship. I can post screenshots if you like? Just to be clear, I am most certainly not misinformed.

Justynhegrebe

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:22:33 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: quirke

Justynhegreberg, If you look at Jim's profile on Accel, it does indeed say he is on Walmart's Board of Directors as Lead/Presiding Independent Director, and Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee. http://www.accel.com/people/print_bio.php?person_id=4 So the individual who oversees Walmart's long-range planning and financial matters has invested a considerable chunk of cash in Etsy. In return for, as one might reasonably imagine, a considerable amount of control and influence? So my question to Rob is, what role will Accel/Jim Breyer play in Etsy's decision-making and strategizing, and does this large investment make you more accountable to the investors than to your customers? How much control of Etsy has been relinquished in return for funding? Looking forward to the Town Hall.

"We don't del

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:28:24 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: simonewalsh

"We don't delete Storque comments unless they are likely to offend authors or are calling-out other members or are out of line and inappropriate. The Storque operates like any other blog or editorial publication in that way ... Since the launch of the Storque in September, we've only deleted a handful of comments and we've now made it clear to all Storque admin to convo the commenter to explain why ..." I know this isn't the main issue of this topic, but I have to reply to say that in my own experience and that of a number of people I've spoken to, that's not true - at least up until the recent past. I've had at least one comment deleted which may have been critical, but was constructively and politely so, provided suggestions/information, related specifically to the article (including addressing misinformation in the article which is still there), did not call anyone out and surely could not have been construed as offensive to the author by any reasonable standards, even if it wasn't the cheering that the author would perhaps have preferred. Nobody convo'd me to tell me why my comment was removed either.

Glad to be a

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:16:48 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: binkiebaskets

Glad to be a new member of Etsy and hear how great it is now and how much better it's going to be in the near future! Thanks!

the storque a

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:43:37 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: justynhegreberg

the storque article also states that jim's role in walmart was as a part of accel investing in walmart.com. however, when i looked him up i found the involvement with walmart.com but he is on the board of directors of walmart stores inc. as the chairman of the strategic planning and finance committee. is he still involved in this way?

i would like

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:55:09 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: justynhegreberg

i would like to say that i am a little disturbed by the idea of jim breyer and etsy. i have recently read about his work with facebook, walmart and NVCA. some of which can be found in an article from the guardian:http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jan/14/facebook this dusturbs me.

I'm so excite

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:01:04 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: apartmentcat

I'm so excited! I'm extremely happy that I made the move to open my shop on Etsy, even though it's more of a confidence-building than money-making exercise. I can't wait to see what the future holds. Scam the man! KT

Thanks, Rob,

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:41:10 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: Luminosities

Thanks, Rob, for a well-written, informative and inspirational article. It was uplifting for many of us and renewed our commitment to and joy in being a part of Etsy. It will be very exciting to see how Etsy continues to grow in the future! I'd love to see Mary Kathleen Flynn's questions addressed in a follow up article. Etsy - today the Internet, tomorrow the world! hehe

Rob, how abou

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:54:25 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: rayela

Rob, how about moving towards being member owned instead of a publicly traded company? I think that would really be interesting.

interrobang,

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:30:16 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: Vanessa

interrobang, We don't delete Storque comments unless they are likely to offend authors or are calling-out other members or are out of line and inappropriate. The Storque operates like any other blog or editorial publication in that way. Mary's comment was totally called for (Rob asked people for questions that he could address in a follow-up). These are questions that the other admin want him to respond too as well ;) Since the launch of the Storque in September, we've only deleted a handful of comments and we've now made it clear to all Storque admin to convo the commenter to explain why. So I think you're comment here is actually misinformed.

Actually, wou

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:07:17 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: KCamilleri

Actually, would I be able to buy shares in the company from Australia?

Wow. That wa

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:23:54 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: KCamilleri

Wow. That was inspiring and interesting. I hope you will be able to acheive your aims and keep your ideals. I'm happy to be a small part of a big picture. Thanks

"But you don'

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:31:55 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: thymbyldesigns

"But you don't say much about what the process has been like for you to bring in outside investors after years of keeping them at bay." If at all, they were kept at bay for about a year, no? A and B financing came in 2006 (June and November), C in 2007 (July) and D last week.

Yeah, Swimmy.

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:52:53 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: hanabi

Yeah, Swimmy.... Who says you guys get to be the eye?

I'm thrilled

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:19:27 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: wunderbug

I'm thrilled to be a part of Etsy, and have just had a look at the book you recommended, Deep Economy - I'm going to have to buy it. Another similar book that is more socially-focused and less economically-focused is In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore. I'd highly recommend it; it doesn't address the economic issues raised in Deep Economy but moreso the cultural frame of mind that I feel that Etsy's philosophy entails. Can't wait for the book club to start!

i will admit

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:37:35 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: pookeh

i will admit that just seeing the word "wal-mart" up there made me feel squeemish. this is all very exciting yet i have to admit, kinda scary. big time investors, board of directors, the company being open to public trading one day. i would be lying if i didn't say i am slightly worried that one day your original vision for the site will some day be lost in the sea of millions that is floating around back and forth. however, with that all said. i have faith in you. i trust your instinct and your heart. i know you will all steer us in the right direction. so all in all, i'm happy about this big news you had to tell us today. as for a question: you said, "We believe that the current economy, favoring megacorporations and supersizes, is unstable." i too am quite concerned about the economic situation in this country and the direction we are headed in. now that the bush reign is almost over and with the presidential election coming up, are there any candidates out there that you personally feel would able to help fix our economy (or at least help stop the bleeding)?

The more I pa

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:07:12 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: artopiary

The more I paint, the better I get. It is almost like it is in morph stage and one day I will know that it will not get any better than that, or will it? Even wine gets better with age! This site had been the greatest thing that has happened to me! I love meeting people around the world and then there is EtsyBABY! I hope to one day meet all of those behind the scenes, just so I can tell you myself what a great job you are doing!

it's ironic t

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:43:46 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: SpankMe

it's ironic that money made from walmart investment is now probably funding etsy, intresting, very interesting, makes you think huh? the big bad fish inadvertently funding the little fish...

"I'd like to

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:37:46 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: HollyhockCreations

"I'd like to see some fine tuning of this "vision" too keep Etsy HANDMADE." Let us face it; Etsy's top sellers are suppliers and vintage was included to raise revenue. Simple business understanding shows that putting all your eggs is not a wise idea.

you have the

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:33:52 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: MsAnomaly

you have the passion, dedication, integrity, and vision shared by all artisans. Etsy is your art! :)

Etsy is still

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:12:48 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: awdesignsuk

Etsy is still very young & I am so happy to be part of it. I only hope that being an International seller, ie outside the US, that I start to feel less out on a limb & ignored like I do now. Don't get me wrong Etsy is very warm & welcoming but everything is geared up for the US sellers more. Your article suggests this may start to change & I will be interested to see. An interesting read & thank you for keeping us up to date.

Aloha! Thank

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:56:10 -0000

On article: Etsy's First Five Years
Comment by: hawaiibeads

Aloha! Thank you for this article. I have been going through a 'business frame of mind' myself. How to grow, how to do better, how to sell more, where to sell more. My gut feeling is, stick with Etsy. After a great holiday season here, I too am investing in Etsy, and myself, by listing more, and relisting more. What I do like about Etsy, is that I have been improving my skills in order to sell more here. Lab classes here, and general information available in Storque are improving my store here everyday. So, thank you again, it makes me feel that I am investing wisely, by investing myself and my shop with Etsy.