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Story by
GeekCentralStation,
marymary
Published on July 21, 2008 in Spotlight |
Photo by |
Sammi, of GeekCentralStation, was paying the bills working a day job in the restaurant industry and was faced daily with less than happy customers. She always dreamed of being able to support herself on her own, and after a period of time spent saving as much "cushion" money as she could, decided to take the plunge after setting up shop on Etsy for merely a couple of weeks. After 6 months, she is still supporting herself and getting by doing what she loves. Sammi continues to learn the ins and outs of running her own self-supporting business. I just know you will enjoy this candid and honest interview where she talks about the highs and lows of taking the plunge.
When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
Well, it was always a hopeful dream, but I never expected to actually be able to do it. Being responsible for myself in that way was a little scary, but the idea was always floating around in my head.
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 only started selling on Etsy for a couple of weeks before I decided to quit my job — I wasn’t sure if I was financially ready for it, but I was definitely prepared for it mentally!
What made you decide to quit your day job?
I had wanted to quit for a long time, due to personal problems with management at the restaurant I worked at, but I think the idea of being able to sell on Etsy gave me the push I needed to take that next step and actually quit. If I didn’t have that idea, however vague it was at the time, I wouldn’t have been able to take that leap.
How did you know you were ready to take the plunge?
I didn’t really know — sometimes I’m not even sure that I did the smartest thing, although I am convinced it was the right thing. I was just confident that I was making something people wanted. I spend so much time on these little characters I make, and I couldn’t imagine that other people wouldn’t think that they were great, too.
Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
When I was working, I saved as much money as I could possibly manage. I didn’t really intend for it to be my business start up money (I was dreaming of a down-payment on a house), and I didn’t have anything like a budget planned out. It was a little willy nilly over here until I realized that I was really running my own business, and I needed to get everything together—buying in bulk, making standardized packaging, making personal mailing labels, that sort of thing. I could definitely have been better prepared, but I didn’t really consider this a “business” or a “real job” for a long time.
What goals have you set for your Etsy business in the next few months and year?
I would like to try and build up some inventory and go to craft fairs. I would love to meet people face-to-face, and have them be able to hold and touch my little characters. I have a super great customer base of regulars, and I would like to expand that base. I love making custom characters for people.
What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business?
I like to use LiveJournal to connect with fans — I get to see what everyone’s reaction is to a new creation in a non-business, no pressure environment. I have gotten a few sales through it, though! I also have a blog that I use to show my work, and I share my thoughts behind each creation, and I think people really like that laid-back atmosphere and behind-the-scenes insights. I think the blogging world is a great place to get noticed, and if people like what you do enough they will share it with their friends, which is also a great way to be promoted!
How's it going so far? Are you getting by?
I am getting by — I have to say though, this is not a business for money-nervous people! I get really stressed out when I don’t make a lot of sales, and sometimes that puts a downer on things. I just have to keep reminding myself that doing anything you really like is going to require some sacrifices, and sometimes being financially secure is one of those sacrifices.
Can you walk us through what a typical workday might entail now that you have quit your day job?
- I usually make a run to the post office in the early morning to send out my packages.
- I respond to any e-mails and convos, try and think up something clever and witty to put on my blog (yeah right!), and then get to work.
- I have a whiteboard set up with my weekly goals on it, and so I get to work on whatever needs to be done.
- If my hands hurt from crocheting too much, I will make the clothes and accessories for a while.
- I also have to find time to play with my two little kitties, or they start eating my yarn!
My boyfriend is also an integral part of my little business, so after he gets home from work he starts in on the things I can’t do, like paint. He can’t sew to save his life though, so he will pin something up, I will sew it, give it back to him, he’ll paint it, give it back to me, and we work back and forth like that almost all night. It’s definitely not a 9-5 job — more like a 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. job!
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job?
Basically just the freedom — if I want to meet someone for lunch, I can just go. I only have to answer to myself, and after working for some crazy bosses, that’s a nice rest. I can also set up my own working routine — if I want to work non-stop for 5 hours and then take a break, I can. I don’t have to follow a schedule. And I love being able to interact with my customers — they are so nice and friendly, nothing like the majority of the people I used to serve! Oh yeah, and wearing pajamas and slippers all day. That’s probably the best part.
What piece of advice would you give someone thinking about taking the plunge to sell full time on Etsy?
Even if you think you are ready, have enough money saved up to pay the bills for at least 3 months. Realize that it’s going to be fun, but it is going to be a lot of work. I work 7 days a week, sometimes all day long, even though it may not feel like it since I’m at home all day. Be prepared for the worst scenario (i.e. no sales), but be ready to not get bogged down or depressed. Above all, love what you do and have confidence in your craft! If you give a lot of love to a project, customers can tell.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks Etsy! Everyone who works, sells, and buys from Etsy are the greatest co-workers anyone could ask for. Thanks for giving all of us an opportunity to change the world, one handmade craft at a time.
Thanks to GeekCentralStation for sharing her story of success with us! Check out the gallery below to see some of Sammi's adorable creations. Your can browse our previous Quit Your Day Job posts for more stories and advice from sellers who are taking the plunge!
| Tags | amigurumi, crochet, denton, dolls, Dolls and Miniatures, fan art, geekcentralstation, Quit Your Day Job, toys |
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53 comments Commenting is closed for this article
BululuStudio
hellofacey
Great advice to have money saved in advance, I think that is the key to take any plunge. So cute that you and your boyfriend back and fourth. Love it.
chalkydoodles
Genius! And THE definition of one-of-a-kind. Congrats on your success!
DaisiesAreOurSilver
Guys, I totally love your Kif. Good luck and god bless!
cutedesigns
I really love your work, it's fab for a geek like me. :D Good luck with your shop. :)
dogties
katelynjane
This store has adorable creations! I love it that they've been so successful and are running their own full time business! Good work guys!
gingerlime
Adorable stuff! Great feature too. Thanks for sharing your experiences :-)
lovemaryxoxo
thebeadedsoul
phydeaux
Love your shop sooo much! Indie, Link, Firefly cast, Twilight Princess ... too cool!
smmak
XODesigns
GidanNodza
Lovely items...love the way you pay attention to details. Good luck.
CandyStickLane
WOW! What else can you say! The detail is amazing! GREAT WORK!
MamaImStrange
I still absolutely love my little Ghostbuster. I'm so glad that this business came to be and that you are doign well!
airforcewife0216
FruitOfMyHands
Thanks for your honesty about taking the plunge. Your little figures are very cute. Be blessed in the future.
poetsandprophets
Aww they're real cuties - I love the Kif Kroker one (HUGE Futurama fan!)
felicitasdesigns
mizusugi
Karmacrochet
Wonderful figures! Keep doing what you love. Success to you!
:-)
TrashedClothing
You totally deserve it! My Gandalf guards the computer and I can't wait to buy more! :-D
Brok1457
you guys are awesome! these are the cutest things ever! congrats on finding your niche!
StitchinStyle
Truly one of a kind, your gift is a blessed one, congrats on your sucess, you inspired me.
mypinkeareddog
Trying to say this nicely.
Is this shop licensed to sell these trademarked characters? I don't know the ins and outs of trademarks and copyrights and patents, but I try not to buy pirated goods.
Seems strange to promote this on the front page.
JanEleven
stonesoupjewelry
These figures are adorable.
But the trademark issue is a big deal. This feature would probably have been a good place for Etsy to help educate its sellers a bit more about trademark issues. If the seller does have a license, or if she's determined somehow that she doesn't need one, the background info on that would be potentially very helpful to lots of other sellers, I'd think.
pulpsushi
bencandance
Yes, although I'm very happy for this artist in that they are successful (and they clearly have GREAT talent) I do feel it's wrong to feature and glorify the making of copyrighted characters (LOTR, Star wars, etc.).
foxaz
This feature tells me I can be successful if I make really cute handmade well-known, trademarked characters. Hmmmm.
SarahSays
What a wonderful article about a wonderful artist. I want to remind everyone that it’s not up to us (people who don’t know the details) to jump to legal conclusions. It’s a wonderful thing when someone can do what they love for a living.
Sarah
creativeneurosis
SarahSays says:
What a wonderful article about a wonderful artist. I want to remind everyone that it’s not up to us (people who don’t know the details) to jump to legal conclusions. It’s a wonderful thing when someone can do what they love for a living.
Sarah
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With all due respect Sarah, I didn't see anyone jumping to conclusions. I saw people asking a perfectly valid question about an issue that is fuzzy at best. By doing a feature like this and totally ignoring the copyright issue (maybe it counts as parody/satire so she doesn't need a copyright?), y'all are making the issue more murky, not less.
backintime
There are no conclusions being jumped to, just valid questions about the legality of producing something based on movie and book characters. The creativity and talent is undeniable but it's an issue that should be clarified.
quirke
Sarah, I don't see any "TM" or "R" after any of the character names. If you have a license to make and distribute trademarked characters, shouldn't you be using those marks?
andymathis
pearlbythesea
Very cute shop, but unless she has copyright permission from Lucasfilms, selling these items aren't legal. I'm sure the shop owner can make just as cute pieces that use her own characters. Yoda is pretty much off limits, right?
pearlbythesea
If she does have copyright permission to use these characters, it would be REALLY nice to add that to the article, it would also be an extra education tidbit for sellers to see that a big company would give copyright permission to a small artist.
hannahfaerie
Great work, would have been good to here from the seller about copyright stuff though, oh well, missed opportunity I guess.
dangerousmezzo
Isn't it SOMEONE's job at Etsy to check into possible copyright infringement before running an article like this? And if it's not the job of Etsy's house lawyer, then whose job is it?
Just because the work is massively cute (and it sure is!) doesn't mean it's okay to sell versions of licensed characters.
wendyvee
SarahSays -
You're correct . . . it isn't Etsy's job to mediate copyright infringement cases between copyholders and artists . . . however, it SHOULD be Etsy's job to promote responsible selling through it's STORQUE features.
With hundreds and hundreds of artists to feature . . . why pick something this questionable?
That's just Lazy.
verybigjen
She doesn't have the permissions/licenses. How do I know she doens't? If she had it she'd damn well be crowing it at the top of her lungs. Some of these companies take YEARS to get that permission and they have very strict standards. And I'm seeing at least four copyright holders who I know would charge more than she'd make. It would tie her up for months in paperwork, traveling and portfolio reviews before even getting the meeting to discuss the possibility of discussing the cost.
Etsy needs a Feature Editor with a person or two to do nothing but check out every front page treasury, storque featuree, and featured seller BEFORE it goes live.
And Etsy needs to stop batting their eyes at the issue. They don't have to police it, let the copyright holders lawyers have some fun, but Etsy needs to stop promoting those who do it.
katiedoodah
as a buyer I find it disheartening that Etsy with an in house attorney, would actually push this out there without researching the very obvious.
cute things, but as others have said i could bet a million dollars right now she does not have a license.
pearlbythesea
It would be great if admin could clarify our questions about this one. Having a license from lucas films when your products cost under 10 dollars just can't be possible ----and it is amazing that etsy would promote copyright infringement.
The items are adorable, but this is what etsy is doing by publishing this article- promoting copyright infringement. As artists, we should all be kind of PO'd about this.
Rivkasmom
Where is the respect and credit for the original artists, the ones who's hard work and imagination came up with the characters in the first place? I certainly hope that they will be getting a percentage of all of her sales.
If Etsy condones "stealing" from big companies, then it sends the message that it's ok to copy from everyone else, even the shop next door.
theshadowcat
Lovely little amigurumi, nicely made - good luck to the seller :)
Perhaps Etsy will help pay the legal fees if the poor girl gets dragged to court? Might it have been better to feature a seller that produced original designs?
I mean no disrespect to GeekCentral Station.
KreatedbyKarina
The law is on Etsy's side in that they don't have to police copyright and trademark infringement. I wonder how their active promotion of infringement affects their legal position.
KreatedbyKarina
^^Not my comment above, but quoted from another seller in the forums, which brings up a wonderful point..
mypinkeareddog
SarahSays says:
What a wonderful article about a wonderful artist. I want to remind everyone that it’s not up to us (people who don’t know the details) to jump to legal conclusions. It’s a wonderful thing when someone can do what they love for a living.
Sarah
___________
This post is so dismissive, and ignores the fact that none of the posts above it jumped to any legal conclusions.
Also, I disagree that it is not the consumer's place to question the legality of their purchases.
Vanessa
Glad to know intellectual property, copyright vis a vis "Fan art" is a topic of interest to the community. There's actually quite a bit of debate and literature about the topic — and it's very relevant to our community and our businesses. I will look into arranging a larger discussion.
I hesitate to close the comments on this post because I do think it's an interesting debate. However, it unfairly positions the individual seller.
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