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Story by
marymary
Published on May 4, 2009 in Spotlight |
Photo by |
Jamie, the mastermind behind thepatacakebaby, was able to quit her day job as a teacher to pursue her recent success in designing baby items. She's been able to stay at home with her new toddler while running the business and is appreciative of her supportive family and friends who lend a hand from time to time. Jamie's an inspiration to the independent business woman starting small, finding success, and is well on her way to living out her dream of one day seeing her products at Nordstrom. Keep reading to find out what her biggest tips for successful selling on Etsy are.
How did you originally get into the business of making things?
Well, I've been crafting since childhood. I have a very imaginative father who is constantly coming up with projects, inventions and other creative ideas. Although we had a TV growing up, I was definitely more interested in the sandbox, building doll houses with my dad in the shop, making beaded jewelry, or having bake sales on the street corner — of course my dad was my best and sometimes, only, customer! It was only right that he be the one who gifted me with a basic, under 100 bucks, Singer sewing machine in January 2008. I had just come back from a vacation in Maui where I saw some really cool things in baby boutiques and was dying to learn how to make them! I stayed up super late every night in January, while my husband was studying away for law school and my daughter was peacefully sleeping. I just taught myself how to sew — granted I had a few hangups, but nothing that deterred me from continuing. So, several weeks later I opened up my Etsy shop and haven't looked back!
When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
I was taking a bit of a leave from teaching after having my daughter in July of 2007. After realizing how much I loved being home with her, I was racking my brain for ways to support our family's income without having to go back to work and put her in daycare. Although I loved teaching and spent many years in college obtaining my Bilingual Education/ESL Teaching Degree, as well as study abroad trips to Mexico and Cuba to become fluent in the language, it is one of the most mentally and sometimes physically exhausting jobs out there. I felt that if I were to continue teaching and pretty much keeping our family together while my husband is in law school, I wouldn't have been able to give my daughter the dedicated mother she deserves. As cliche as this may sound, I thank my lucky stars that Etsy has allowed me to fulfill my dreams.
Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time?
Before I opened my store, I researched fabrics, fine tuned my sewing skills, and read countless blog entries for Etsy success. 
What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business?
RELISTING and RENEWING. Period. I think for beginning an Etsy shop, before one can obtain loyal, return customers, the best way is to keep your shop fresh and up to date. Relsting and renewing products brings them towards the top of a search, and if you are like me, you only look at the first few search results pages. Yes, our Etsy bill is several hundred dollars a month, but the business we receive from doing this is priceless. [NOTE: Search is an evolving feature on Etsy's growing marketplace. Find out more here.]
What's your best marketing tip?
Pictures are definitely important, and although mine aren't perfect, they have definitely gotten us by. It is something we are working on in the near future. I've recently posted a Craigslist ad for a product photographer. I love when photographers contact me for trades. I am the worst photographer out there, but I do know two things that are so extremely important: NATURAL LIGHT and BACKGROUND. Flash just doesn't cut it, and the same goes for distracting backgrounds. We've had another Etsy seller edit out the backgrounds of our pics, which helps our retailers with websites.
What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?
Although I still am happy to do blog reviews and giveaways from time to time, I don't seem to get much business from them. I've now made it a mandatory request that blogs advertise on giveaway sites, like prizey.net, when we give them an item.
Walk us through your typical workday.
Oh boy! I used to work until all hours of the night, and have in the last year stepped away from many of the responsibilities. I've had to hire two local seamstresses in my town to help me. Pat and Helena have been sewing for most of their lives and they can now sew in the comfort of their own homes and make a fair wage, which means I can keep our products made in the U.S.A. and keep the handmade aspect, which is so important to my business philosophy. I feel good that I am being a part of strengthening the American economy. We sell on Etsy, which is our best customer base, but we also sell wholesale to brick and mortar and online stores. We are now in 19 states and 7 countries, and that's without advertising! I recently invested in a Blackberry (hey, the business can write it off!), which has been so helpful in running my business and relisting sold items throughout the day. I do not have set business hours and maybe someday I will, but I just work sporadically through the day...you kind of have to when you have a toddler.
When I get up, I grab my phone to see the orders we've received in the night. Waking up to sales is like my morning coffee: I get jolted to start my day. When there aren't sales, I just start relisting my most popular items. I answer questions, order materials and relist during the day. At night, I try to work on my accounting, which is incredibly behind, and I email my seamstresses new orders. They deliver items to me once or twice a week and then it is my job to package them up, have my husband apply snaps to some of the items, and ship them off. I usually stay up late Friday or Saturday night and work on this. I'd say that I am working around 30 hours per week right now. We are planning on attending the Seattle Gift Show in August, so that is my current and latest project.
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
I love being my own boss and not having to rush out of the house in the morning. I literally don't understand how people with young children do it...you are amazing. I definitely miss being around adults and having adult conversations. I miss not being able to use my Spanish, and I feel that I am losing it somewhat. I miss not being a voice for my students that only spoke Spanish, and I miss being the constant in my immigrant children's lives. I think this could be remedied with volunteer work, but I can't find the time while my husband is in school. Law school is all-consuming and many days I feel like a single mom.
What's the hardest part about running your own business?
Not finding the time to run it! I want to spend more hours working, I love it. It is a constant project, which I crave. I can't just bring my daughter to daycare and get to work. I guess I could, but that would defeat the whole purpose of wanting to be a work-at-home mom, plus daycare is incredibly expensive and you definitely pay for what you get around here.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?
Get your logo figured out from the get-go. I originally used a predesigned logo that wasn't unique and I never really liked it. I finally decided to spend the big bucks and hire a logo designer. She made a unique design which I copyrighted. I then used an Alchemy request and had another made for print type products created by kimscustomgifts. I feel that I finally have a brand image that is unique and that I'm proud of. Use Etsy sellers...it is so much more affordable than using big companies that pop up on Google's first page, plus you can be proud that you supported "the little guy."
What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
Better pictures, especially ones with models, expansion in the retail market and trade shows! Our goal someday is to have our products in Nordstrom, and I feel that I am determined enough to get it done.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
My family has been really supportive of my endeavors, which I really appreciate. My grandfather gave me (or supposedly lent me) the start up money to create our business as an LLC and to trademark our Diaper Diddie(R), which was a very expensive process. My husband is taking intellectual property next semester, which will be so helpful with understanding copyrights. And he will continue his duties as my snap presser! My mom is faithful with her business-card-handing-out duties and my sisters are happy to cut ribbon and put holes in hang tags. All the while my dad is inspiring me to continue my entrepreneurial and creative side.
You can find some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts here! Take a look at some of Jamie's handmade baby items below.
| Tags | babies, baby, business, Children, full-time, Quit Your Day Job, sellers, selling, Spotlight, SPOTLIGHT, thepatacakebaby, WAHMs, work at home moms, workflow, working |
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139 comments Login to add your own!
EJPcreations
Such a great article!!! So inspiring!!! I live for the quit your day job articles!!!
adoreneko
Thanks for the tips Jamie.
Your items are adorable and the fabrics are adorable.
thepatacakebaby
emccul1
Your items are so cute! Thanks for the tips on photography and relisting.
thinkbakery
dogties
BrazanDesign
CollectionObsession
Great name and logo. Getting that figured out early on is a good tip.
ovgilliesdesigns
Great, informative, and inspiring article! Thank you! & Congrats on the success to thepatacakebaby, it's well earned!
bylynnkrestel
babook
i just reading some of you. How i can to felt of you it`s strong mom on your way : ) i was fall in to of your experience Q&A that`s nice for a new begin store : )
HibouCards
I loooove the guitar lovey blanket! My son already as a lovey but I'd consider getting it nonetheless :) Great article, very inspiring as usual!
thanks Etsy
sweetsassyboutique
missindie
Such an inspiring story! Jamie, good for you and I hope your business keeps growing and growing. You are very talented and I think its so cool that you've been able to become your own boss! :]
Jujie
juicychristians
Congrats!!!!! That is really awesome! I wish you continued success!
KarenElizabeth
Jamie, I’m so pleased to see that the spool stand is working well in your craft room! (And thanks for letting me know that it was included in your pictures!)
englishmuffinshop
i love to read the "quit your day job" features. thanks for sharing your great tips! all the best - you're stuff is super cute :)
HibouCards
alright so I caved in! I got the small wet bag and the lovey with the guitars.... I can't wait to receive my items. Congrats to patacake for such great products :)
themefragrance
childproofmodern
Law school husband, ex teacher, stay at home mom, Etsy shop owner, self taught seamstress; it's like I'm reading about myself! Congrats on all your success-makes me feel like that's the next thing we will have in common.
kittytrishia
kimsonhandicraft
CraftingontheCourt
Jamie,
You are so inspiring!! Congrats! I really am so proud of you!
Greenpoints
Just what I needed to hear...as I sit in my cubicle working my etsy site from work. You give me HOPE of getting out of the 9-5 rut! Thanks!!
By the way, your items are lovely!!
clothpaperstitches
4TheSparrowsNest
Congrats Jamie...so awesome to hear that all your hard work and dedication is paying off. :-D
sarazoe
recycledwares
so nice to hear of another person who is able to support themselves while doing the thing they love - creating.
gems4hisjewels
Congratulations on your growing success!! What a dream! As an RN who loves my daughter, stays home at the expense of sacrificing better income, and lives to create, it's so nice to hear stories of those who have gotten their heart's desire!
Your article is inspiring, and your items are so coooool, and wonderfully beautiful!
uniquewares
loved the article, it is always inspiring to see that it is possible to make a living on etsy! thanks so much for all the great tips!
sherrytruitt
sandali
Great shop !! Trigger happy colors & amazing features -- LOVE to hear all these success stories where people pursue their dreams & make their dreams come true !! Happy Days ;)
BluCille
bungalowmarketplace
The 'Quit Your Day Job' articles are so inspiring! They always make me feel like with determination--I can do it too! Thank you.
jackandmandie
Quit your Day Job makes me want to do just that- you are amazing!
DutchTouchBeads
Inspiring story! Thank you for sharing some tips, it's very helpful for those of us aspiring to be as successful as you are!
tadalyn2006
preciousgemgarden
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. I am a teacher too and I am doing all I can to make my jewelry business successful enough to quit my job. It's nice to hear from people like you who are making it happen!
hobocampcrafts
jenniferlynnstudio
Another inspiring article..I love them! Best of luck to you!
FashionTouch
Congrats!!! Happy for you, to be able to dedicate you time to do something you like the most!
tadaboutique
CUDDLEUPSFORBABIES
You are doing a great job. Wish you much success with your business. You are encouraging to those of us who desire to get ahead, also
sweetsmilesbaby
Great tips and inspiration!! I love it when the baby takes a nap and I grab my lunch and sit at the computer and hope for a Quit Your Day Job article and one is there!
floresdelsol
MoonParade
Many congrats!
Your story, determination and ambition are a real inspiration.
Best wishes for much continued success! And getting that Nordie's account --- you can and will do it!
Reina
mojospastyle
I love these kind of stories. It so nice to hear of other people like myself who are able to do what they love full time! Made me smile :)
DalkullanJewelry
Great story. Congratulations on your business success, and on being able to stay home with your little one!
KimsCustomGifts
baconsquarefarm
Congrats to you and wonderful shop, wish you continued success as well. Nice being a stay at home mom.
Minnie829
Thanks for your wonderful storie, you let me know that I have hope!
hazelandhunter
i love reading these articles - so inspiring! congrats on your success!
monkeyandsquirrel
the quit your day job articles are what keep me going. so good to see people making a go of it!
hipporay
madamesing
Extremely helpful!! I know what you mean about a regular job woking Mom! Go Bless em'! Love your treasures, thanks again for sharing!
cthings
ccbabyinc
You are the BEST, JAMIE! SO glad to see what you look like!It's so fun to do business with you!
PhiloBaNa
this was sooo great!!! thank you sooo much!! i am new to etsy and this is really great advice!
lincolnchristian
SquaresOfFlair
Great article. I've been a fan of your work so it is nice to learn more about your shop! Keep up the good work.
EclecticOrchid
I absolutely adore these articles! Makes me aspire to continually get better! I love hearing success stories! Such great information for those of us just starting out! Thanks!
JennyTheArtist
TutuCuteandMoore
Beautiful work and great story! Making your dream come true, congrats.
odiliafuart
VedaArts
DewberryVintage
I loved this article. I completely relate to wanting to work more, missing adult conversation, and raising a toddler while running an Etsy store. I'm doing it too! Thank you Etsy for giving us Mom's the opportunity to stay home and raise our kids! What a fantastic and inspirational story! Yeah for PataCakeBaby!!!
soule
Congrats! I hope to be a "Quit your day Job" soon! One day I will take the plunge... I love reading everyone's stories!
FourTinyHineys
Way to stay with it. I just decided to stay at home with my kids 3 months ago. I am still trying to figure out how to supplement our income, with four kids I have to do something. I discovered Etsy about a year ago after I had Myers (#4). I put a few things on Etsy and never got any feed back, but around this time I also went back to work (somehow I thought I would be able to pull it off- but it was just too hard) so I didn't have time to relist and create new items. I am now ready to go-to! You have given me another little push that I have needed to move forward.
Good luck to you and your family, hang in there with the law school- i know it can be trying.
drea
by the way buying through etsy is my new adult convo LOL!!! everyone is always so nice to covo with.
littlepinkpebble
Iammie
zeropumpkin
fabulousfinds
breadandroses
While I love Etsy success stories and this seller's line is sweet, there are huge contradictions to Etsy's handmade policy since these items are NOT handmade by the seller, per Etsy policy 'What Can Be Sold', Etsy FAQs-SELLING:
"What items can I sell on Etsy?
You can sell anything that you've made by hand or, a bit more loosely put, hand-assembled or hand-altered (as long as it complies with our Terms of Use). If your human hands put some love into the object, odds are, you can sell it on Etsy. Yes, you can use power tools or a computer or a sewing machine – handmade doesn't necessarily mean "low-tech." Reselling of handmade items is not allowed; all handmade items must be made by the seller. We also allow some non-handmade items in the Supplies and Vintage categories; they must be tagged appropriately. Check out the DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy (under Selling) for more detailed rules."
Featured seller states she has others sewing her items. Isn't that re-selling, not handmade by Etsy seller and against Etsy policy? Seems like Etsy is moving away from its original DIY, genuinely handmade intent.
breadandroses
Also from Etsy DOs & DON'Ts :
"What can be sold
This section outlines the items that can be listed for sale on Etsy.
Handmade by you
* All items must be handmade by the individual(s) running the Etsy shop.
* On Etsy, the term "handmade" can additionally be interpreted as "hand-assembled" or "hand-altered". "
This feature essentially promotes items NOT handmade by seller, which in theory is against Etsy Policy/DO'S & DON'Ts. So why is here? Very much confuses the entire matter, especially with so many new sellers. ?????
Navare
It's my dream to grow enough to have an employee or two. Thanks for the article!
jodieflowers
sarabeedesigns
amazing shop! wonderful story, and I love that you have expanded your business and "share the wealth" with your seamstresses... I'm inspired. As a stay at home mom of 3 and wife of a husband in grad school I find all of the quit your dayjob stories amazingly encouraging! Thanks again!
aprilfoss
I love your article! It is very interesting. Your shop is just beautiful.
Congratulations!
lovelygifts
janicej
waisze
courtneyannedesigns
HazelHoney
michon
Wow, congratulations, and I'm inspired to work harder on my shop after reading this :)
visart
myfriendamy
I just checked out your shop and the "spotted owl wet bag" is great for the kids swimming classes this Summer! Great product!!
MissKArt
MoodyBags
Thank you for sharing your story, I really look forward to the "Quit your day job" series, it inspires me.
quildon2
This is very encouraging to someone like me who dreams of quitting my day job - I also work in the school system as an occupational therapist - and as you said it is mentally and physically exhausting, but my financial situation won't allow me to quit just yet. All the best to you.
BeBops
lostsentiments
Wow! I love your fabric selections! All very bright and cheery! :0)
I feel so under prepared to start and Etsy shop - I wish I had a business partner who was family lol. And the logo - I'll have to get that one figured out - I'd like to nail it down to be able to make tags and add it to my stuffs before long.
Thank you for pursuing your dreams despite the obstacles ! :0) Very encouraging.
DanceInMyGarden
Thanks for sharing your business - very inspiring to me, as I am trying to achieve quality and establish my 'brand' Down Under.
Well done on your success! Congratulations!
PoorRobot
So inspiring! It is really amazing when an etsy store grows so much that you need to hire more people to help! Wonderful!
bunnyscraps
This only inspires me to keep on trying to live my dream of doing what makes me happy and earn a living at the same time. Can't wait to read more. Congrats to you!
MichelleStudio
I wish I had those cute burp clothe when my kids were babies..... Great story. Very inspiring.
thedaydreamer
greenriverstudio
SimpleTraditions
beyondweddings
Very inspiring.... Looking forward to one day being able to do the same. Great work!
Revisions
littlelotticlothing
It's so encouraging to see a Quit Your Day Job with someone making children's products. I have been a SAHM for over 7 years now so I'm not exactly trying to supplement an income but I want to succeed at this dream of mine all the same. Thanks so much for the encouragement!
ireneagh
BGBJewelry
Jenifersfamilyjewels
Another wonderfully inspirational story. Thank you again marymary for sharing it with us!!
vivilian
So lovely story!
Thank you for sharing this
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myJellyBean
I love the quit your day job articles. Great to see such people doing so well, it's alot of hard work. Congats!!
creations4brides
Wow!!! I'm a stay at home mom as well and feel the pinch at times. I love that your family is involved for your success.
ADORABLE BABY! Congratulations.
TrulyBella
I work as a school counselor and it is DRAINING! This is my last year.
Your items are beautiful.
sewsuzanne
Thanks Jaime! What an inspiration you are to other moms aspiring for success!
chinesegemstone
I'm from China. This year I become a mother. In order to take good care of my dear daughter. I stay at home. My husband do business of some gemstones,such as turquoise,pearls,crystal...in China. So i want to try to sell them on etsy. It goes well now.Although i didn't earn much money,i think it will be better and better.
Welcome to my shop and give me some advice. Thanks!
Morado
everytime i read one of ur stories...i have the same comment...SOMEDAY i will be there :)
cgstudio
What breadandroses said..... A great shop and wonderful items. BUT apparently not made by the seller.
Etsy can be so confusing.
Best of luck to you anyway.
TheHayPatch
Floralboutique
This is so inspiring ! Due to the economy I am a stay at home mom for the first time and I just love it! I hope and pray I will be as successful as you are!
Many blessings to your success and your future!
charlottesattic82
I love to hear that people can turn their passions into a career! Way to go girl... I wish you much more success in the future!
gloriouscrochet
I love making things for babies. I live for the day when I can become a "Quit Your Day Job" success story. These articles are sooo inspiring!!!
JADjewelry
It's wonderful you can do what you love and be with your child and supported by your family! I love your products too!
Signs
I think its great when anyone can quit there day job doing something they love!
AlizabethDesigns
I love the baby items. We just had a baby girl so I'm loving the fun looking stuff right now!
JulieMeyer
Cute shop, but not sure why this shop is not a collective since it clearly states the sewers are hired out making it reselling not handmade.
dunkdesigns
Great shop and a wonderful person!
Happy to be your photo editor!
thosegreathousewomen
I'm very confused now as to how this shop is allowed to sell on Etsy. It appears from this article that she does nothing herself except run the "business" side of things. Yeah, I could sell a heck of a lot more if I did that, too. Hired out sewing, husband doing snaps, family doing tags, etc. What am I missing? Totally confused. So, she relists, answers emails, orders materials?
thosegreathousewomen
Oh yeah, and where does it say in her shop that she doesn't actually make this stuff herself?
pawandclawdesigns
sweetpea4kids
mayabdesigns
I also have a little girl who has inspired me to start my own business. This gives me the confidence to know that I can make it
aequintan08
This article was awesome!! Most of the "Quit your Day Job" articles are Artists (painters), and I am an aspiring clothing designer so it is so nice to see felow designers who have made it! You are quite the inspiration!
PoshToshBaby
SpiffyDoodleDandy
Very inspiring! Although I feel that I should point out there's no reason to just give up on Spanish because the seller is no longer a teacher. That's an entirely new market that she can break into because she's bilingual. Why not market towards the Spanish-speaking community?
I'm also interested to know how Etsy feels about the contracting as well.
xuxu0051
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menalove
Your article was truly inspiring and your items are super cute!!! Congrats! And hopefully I will be able to follow in your quitting foot steps!!! I would LOVE to stay home with my daughter and do my thing!
TheKraftRoom
bamdesigns
Congratulations- it is great to see a shop doing so well. It is inspiring and gives me something to work towards.
modkee
Your products are so adorable. I think that I need to have another baby! lol! Very inspiring story and the photo of your shipping space made me get organized this last weekend and clean up my space. Best of Luck on Nordstroms!
muzie5
Thanks for this article!!!!
http://www.wildernesslane.com - FOR ALL YOUR BABY NEEDS!!
hallornothing
CONGRATULATIONS! THANKS FOR INSPIRING ME TODAY! I LOVED THE ARTICLE! I KNOW I WILL SEE YOU IN NORDSTROMS SOMEDAY!
TheArtfulYarn
I love to read the Quit Your Day Job articles. I love your shop...everything is stunning!
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