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Story by
marymary
Published on June 30, 2008 in Spotlight |
Photo by kittycrossbones |
AmyLynn of kittycrossbones contacted me to let me know she has been successfully selling on Etsy full time and was able to quit her day job because of her success. She started selling on Etsy in her spare time between work and college by making custom promos for other Etsy sellers. Eventually AmyLynn found herself daydreaming about filling orders while at her day job and she could no longer keep up with her Etsy shop and continue her retail job at the same time. AmyLynn made a no-brainer decision for herself and took the plunge to "Etsy" full time; now she works from the time she wakes up until she goes to bed. In my mind, she is a wonderful example of someone who is young, smart, driven, and has been able to make Etsy work for her needs straight out of college.
When you first started selling on Etsy did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
When I first started selling on Etsy, I was using my button machines to make pre-made items, doing that in my spare time between work and college. I actually never thought of quitting my day job at the time. I thought that Etsy would be a great place to sell my wares for some extra spending money!
How long were you selling on Etsy and working your day job before deciding you were ready to switch over to Etsy full time?
I believe I was working and Etsying for about two years.
What made you decide to quit your day job?
I couldn’t keep up with my Etsy shop! I would much rather be selling on Etsy full-time then working the 9-5 retail job, that’s for sure!
How did you know you were ready to take the plunge?
I didn’t, actually! All I know is that when I was at my day job, I would daydream about being home and working on orders!
Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
Actually, not really. I know that’s terrible but ... I was only 18 when I originally started Kittycrossbones and honestly didn’t think Kittycrossbones would turn out the way it has.
What goals have you set for your Etsy business in the next few months and year?
My goal is always to do better than the last month, or break even.
What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business?
Networking definitely! Here on Etsy, I use the chat and forums. I also have profiles on Myspace.com, Facebook.com, Flickr.com, IndiePublic.com, and there are a lot more social networking sites that I belong to on the Ning.com network. I also contribute to the Sampler 200+ category whenever I have the time.
How's it going so far, are you getting by?
Oh yes, I am! There are slow periods but then they are usually followed by big explosions of sales! I haven’t had to think of finding another job for almost a year and a half now!
Can you walk us through what a typical workday might entail now that you have quit your day job?
Sure! I wake up and then go to my computer and check my email. I check for convos and of course, sales! Waking up to sales is always the best! I then answer all of my convos and organize my email if I sold anything. I put the Etsy Transaction in a certain folder. I have “Need Images,” “Have Images,” “PayPal Payments,” “RME Payments,” and an “Images” folder. I then check to see if anybody has sent me images for their products and if they do, I put the e-mail in the “images” folder and then save their images in their own folder with their username. I then create a preview of what their products will look like in photoshop and email them back. Once I get the approval I start making their orders.
A typical production day is from the time I wake up, to the time I go to bed – and sometimes I pull all-nighters all the way into 5am completing orders!
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job?
That I can be my own boss and set my own hours. I can even work in my pajamas!
What piece of advice would you give someone thinking about taking the plunge to sell full time on Etsy?
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it is definitely worth it! If you can't stop the sales fairy from visiting your store everyday and your Etsy store is getting in the way of your “real-life” job, pick Etsy!
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I just want to thank Etsy for creating such a great e-commerce site. I have made a lot of friends here in the community – through chat and forums — and wish everybody the best of luck — whether you are here to sell full-time or for some extra spending money.
Thanks to AmyLynn for sharing her story of success with us! Check out the gallery below to see some of kittycrossbones' items. Check out some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts.
| Tags | buttons, custom, kittycrossbones, pins, promos, Quit Your Day Job, selling |
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99 comments Login to add your own!
TessaAnn
kittycrossbones
gingerlime
sohokitten
studio9
I like your bit about day dreaming while on the 9-5. I had that same problem. That's when I knew it was time to quit the gold old day job.
jennadesigns
stilettoheights
I heart kittycrossbones!!!!
Congrats AmyLynne!! This reminds me I need to place another order with you.
Bumblebeebaby
Kittycrossbones rocks! I am amazed at how succesful she is at such a young age, and so friendly too!
Good job AmyLynne!
girlsavage
Way to go AmyLynne!
I am always more than happy with the promo products that she makes for me!
babypeasandcarrots
itsaljubica
That is amazing! Good luck in the future. You are an inspiration.
Odannysgirl
Great job AmyLynne! I love my kittycrossbones items, so do my customers.
ScrappinrenCreations
bamdesigns
great store- congrats to Kitty that is a true dream come true.
AWESUMR
awesome!
congrats kitty!
i am etsy full time too!
feels amazing!
keep up your awesome work!
xo.
BirdNerd
kittymiaowwow
Truly inspiring, Love your ideas and I've hearted for future purchases!
LaveMeSoapCo
UsThemWe
thegeekery
I love hearing these stories. Congrats on your success, kittycrossbones!
GumballGrenade
So nice to read the story behind such a great shop! I have to say that she is a delight to work with!
mermaidsdowry
I love this seller!!!
Her products are awesome, I know first hand because I have purchased them :) Top notch service and convo response too!!
baconsquarefarm
Congrats on your success~! enjoy reading stories such as yours. Like your shop as well, wish you continued success in your future.
DesignsWithStyle
That is awesome! I must say I'm totally jealous! It's so great to hear a story like that… I would love to do Etsy full-time. Hopefully sometime soon :)
bellajean
Great article! AmyLynn is a top notch seller with excellent customer service....you can't get any better than that!!!
ChubbyTrubby
Yeah for Kitty! Can't believe I missed this!
Kitty is a Terrific help in promoting any business.
DeAnneDeSigns
walkinthewoodsllc
Woohooo KittyCrossBones!!!
And ... Thanks for sharing your story with us all.
SweetStella
electricbluebird
sewgracious
Congrats, kitty! What a great feature and a great story!
Wishing you continued success on Etsy! :-)
artladymanor
Congratulations on your success! I am so impressed at how organized you are. Thanks for sharing your story.
rosiepink
Well done Kitty! You are an inspiration to all would-be full-time Etsyers.
tenthstreet
Junienone
snowdropsense
2ReVert
Huge congrats AmyLynn! I could read these interviews every day, thank you Etsy for having them :)
SpaTherapy
saranorris
These stories are so inspiring and motivating! I wish you all the best AmyLynn!
bulabean
ElinOpusPhotography
I'm contemplating giving kitty direct access to my paypal. I can't stop ordering from her. That's just how good she is!!
Congrats Kitty!!
MaddyMazeStudio
Inspiring story...I'll be taking the plunge soon and can't wait to really get started!
Thank you for posting the story Etsy!
Divaliscious
Wow and oh Meow! Congrats on your continuing success! What great ideas you share with us in showing how your dedication and creativity have taken you far!
carynmc
Congratulations Kitty! Thank you for sharing your success with us - and thank you, Etsy, for the story, too. Great inspiration - one day soon I hope to be full time!
cloud9designstudio
daisycakessoap
NicolinaDesigns
Congrats to an awesome seller from a happy customer!!!!!!
drkchoclit
BlackStar
smoobage
I love my kitty crossbones stickers! I think I may need some more soon too.
sunriselodgefiberstu
kittycrossbones has made promotional items for Sunrise Lodge Fiber Studio for quite some time and I've always had so much fun with her designs and ideas!!! Fantastic choice!!! Kitty rocks!!!;)
misspicklespress
day jobs are for suckers! (oh wait. i still have mine. whoopsies.) thanks for the inspiration! congrats.
moonlightcrafter
MayaBella
DELAVALLE
JewishPapercuts
tinycupcakes
I always look forward to reading the 'quit your day job' stories!
This one is so sweet - how wonderful for you to have such great success so young! No doubt you'll always continue to be successful with all your hard work!!!
We Love to support other Etsy shops and will need to order some fun stuff from you really soon! Will start working on some images to send you right away :)
ScribbleNation
sewlutionsbyamo
Thank you for sharing your inspirational story and congratulations!
KiwiAndCompany
gemmafactrix
janssoyscentsations
What an inspiring story! I just opened my etsy store yesterday!!! I'm so excited. I don't have a day job to quit as I had to do that 2 years ago when my husband became disabled; however, I dream of the day that I can put orders together from the time I get up until the time I go to bed! Thanks so much for sharing:)
Blessings,
Jan
jessijewels
WOW! Thanks for sharing your story with us. Congrats on all your success and much luck to many more sales in the future. :)
bellaverdedesign
BululuStudio
KathyS711
Analiese
knittydirtygirl
ilovevinyl
earthexpressions
dewindesigns
makeamemory
You are doing GREAT here on ETSY and I wish you much more success!!! Great Promo Items!!!
heartvandana
DanielasDesigns
That is awesome! It gives hope to all us crafty people. Thanx for the good tips as well. I hope your business only grows greater! You go girl.
poetsandprophets
I got my lovely stickers from kittycrossbones - and amylynn is just so good to deal with!
I heart her very much.
And my pretty stickers.
Nafsika
awood616
LucidDreamDesigns
1920
PatinaQueen
It is SO nice to hear success stories like this! I too have been able to quit my day job due in part to the Etsy community-YEAH! Words cannot express how AWESOME it feels to be my own boss...and to work in my pjs :)
Heather, Patina Queen
SongBirdArtStudio
congrats! definitely an inspiration! i could only dream of selling stuff on etsy full-time! of course, i just started, so i have a long way to go! :)
SirPrize
PeachyCheek
ElegantSnobbery
RaeGun
Bijunea
lovemaryxoxo
littleoddforest
this is such a great success story! Congratulations to you, AmyLynn!! Now i'm able to put a cute face behind that workhorse machine I have been emailing to!! ;D
ChildofHope
Congrats AmyLynn! I didn't know Etsy did a story on you! How exciting! Keep workin it girly!
Mikacreations
Congrats! Love to read this kind of story. Wish you tonz of luck!
speakbot
YAY! Just placed my first order. Just what I was looking for an at a wonderful price too!
BebeToby
Another great "quit your day job" article. I just love reading all about other's success!
TexasBeauties
TheTinyTragedies
Awesome story! This chick is such a pleasure to work with! I am a devoted customer for life.
Previous Page
That's amazing. Congratulations Kittycrossbones!