From Ghosted to Glorious: The Wild Ups and Downs of My Etsy Empire

After years of dedication and hard work, you’d think I’d get at least a “we need to talk” message, right? This was the part where I needed my “Fani Willis, Don't Be Cute With Me" embroidered patch, not just for the humor but as a badge of resilience in the face of Etsy's silent treatment. This cold, hard suspension came with no communication whatsoever, trust me I even combed through all my spam emails. You know, after years of loyalty, you'd expect at least a breakup text, right? There I was, left swiping through support pages, looking for answers and it would take me a month long to get back into my Etsy seller account. 

A queen never stays down, and neither did I. That unexpected pause from Etsy? I saw it as a royal decree to expand my kingdom. So, I poured my heart into my Shopify, TikTok, and eBay shops, infusing each with a touch of my unique magic. Hours were devoted to synchronizing my listings across these platforms, transforming this moment not just into a comeback, but into a dazzling display of growth and resilience. With the help of some savvy Shopify apps, this task was less of a chore and more of a charm, smoothly integrating my offerings with a single click.

And then, as if by some twist of fate or a nudge from the universe, Etsy, like a classic ex, noticed my newfound glow and decided it wanted a part of that shine. No grand gestures, no heartfelt apologies—just a random sale popping up, as if nothing had happened. Diving back into the abyss of emails provided no clues about my initial suspension, leaving me with more questions than answers. Despite my urge to shout my confusion from the rooftops (or, in this case, Etsy Facebook Groups), I chose discretion over discord. After all, why stir the pot when my empire was already flourishing elsewhere?

A few more weeks go buy and I thought we were cool. However, Etsy started playing coy with my earnings. Every day, a new promise of payment, yet my bank account remained a barren wasteland. This saga had me wishing I’d slipped into my money-print house shoes to kick some sense into the situation. After a series of customer service misadventures that could rival a daytime soap opera, my funds finally made their grand entrance. Like I tried etsy chat, etsy call me back, etsy file a help center request button and it still took 4 - 5 arguments for them to show me MY MONEY. 

 What valuable lessons did I learn from this journey? Foremost, diversification isn't merely a strategy—it's a crucial survival technique. It's about not putting all your eggs in one basket, especially when that basket might unexpectedly disappear with your livelihood. My adventure began with Etsy, but it certainly didn't end there. Along the way, I discovered the diverse landscape of online marketplaces and the nuances of each.

For instance, sprucing up my TikTok Shop revealed that integrating Shopify and TikTok isn't straightforward; it requires a third-party app, which comes with additional costs. Venturing into Walmart's marketplace showed me the patience needed, with approval processes taking up to 2-3 weeks—a similar patience required for Amazon. Meanwhile, eBay offered untapped marketing potential, rewarding those who delve into its tools.

Moreover, the world of Print On Demand (POD) is vast beyond the popular Printful and Printify. Hidden gems like Gooten, Yoycol, MWW, Arts Add, and Sublimator await those willing to explore. The key takeaway? Do your homework. The digital marketplace is vast and varied, and success lies in leveraging its diversity.

Second, the power of persistence. Whether it's fighting for your earnings or expanding your product line to include those adorable custom name Happy Easter tumblers (just in time for the holiday rush!), never back down. 

@Geneva Solomon 3/13/2024