As 2014 comes to a close, take a moment to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished as a creative entrepreneur this year. Whether you made your first sale, tweaked your tags, landed a big wholesale account or hired an employee, remember to celebrate the big and little victories in your shop this season.
Now that you’ve had a glass of champagne or given yourself a high five, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2015. More than 300 Etsy shop owners shared their shop-related New Year’s resolutions in the Etsy Forums. Read on to see what they’re hoping to accomplish this year. Then, share your 2015 New Year’s resolution in the comments below!
Build a Better Relationship With Your Customers
“I want to have a more active relationship with my cyber followers so they will want to check in with me often to see what's going on. For example, I want to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the photos and cards we sell in our shop: where we were, what we were doing and how we felt when we captured our shots.” — Mary Lovrien, founder of Stock Lane Studio in Albany, New York
Start Your Etsy Shop
“I'd like to open an Etsy shop with my mom. She is super creative and capable of making anything! And I'm just tech savvy enough to post it all online. Wish us luck!” — Iris Molina (Update: Iris opened her shop, Fine Lilac Vintage, in the Hague, Netherlands in December!)
Add Variety
“I want to create a wider variety of price points in my shop. Right now, I have a lot of more expensive items, but I want my shop to appeal to everyone. I want people from every price range to be able to afford something I create, whether it is a baby mobile or little plushie.” —Bethany Oxencis, founder of nursery decor shop BeeJanie in Waukesha, Wisconsin
Keep Improving
“Each year, I get a little better. Better tags, better descriptions, better photos. That's my goal for 2015: to keep improving so that my shop will stand out. I've also been on a learning curve, finding out what I really love to do and what I really want to sell. In 2015, I plan to focus on what makes me feel the happiest and most creative.” — Jean from Cleveland, Ohio-based quilt and art doll shop JD Creative Hands
Get Ready for Next Christmas!
"I'm a very seasonal shop; Christmas is my time! Next year, I want to have more stock of ready-to-ship pure wool Christmas stockings, which sold out the most quickly this year. From January until August, I plan to knit at least two stockings per week. I have a spreadsheet to track everything! – Gigi of Santa's Sock Central in Dublin, Ireland.
What’s your 2015 shop New Year’s resolution? Tell us in the comments below.
Words by Taylor Combs
