There are lots of reasons to feel good about shopping on Etsy—award-winning designs, planet-friendly shipping, and of course, supporting a small business every time you click “purchase.” This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating one more reason: A whopping 83% of Etsy sellers are women, which means buying that one-of-a-kind art print or statement ring has the power to make a direct, positive impact on your favorite creative sheroes around the world. Whether you’re ordering buttery-soft leather goods from Alex Bender in Berlin or loose-and-lovely linen wear from Ingrida Margelė in Lithuania, you can bet these fierce female entrepreneurs feel the empowering effects of every sale—and today seven of them are here to share the life-changing lessons they’ve learned throughout their journeys. Read on to discover the personal mantras these multi-talented sellers live and work by, then shop their wares right here on Etsy.
Realize your own strength
Natalie Manima
London, England
Sometimes it takes accomplishing a challenging feat—such as making a career out of your creative pursuits—to make you realize just how strong you are. “I had no idea I was capable of running a business,” says Bespoke Binny founder Natalie Manima who learned this truth first-hand. “Now I really do believe I can do anything I put my mind to, and that’s such a powerful feeling.” Today, Natalie is passing that positive energy along to her customers via her vibrant collection of lampshades, oven mitts, throw pillows, and travel accessories crafted from bold and bright African wax print fabrics. “I also include a booklet of African proverbs with all of my orders,” she says. Read more about Natalie’s African-inspired home goods collection.
See and be seen
Meenal Patel
San Francisco, CA
“I think it’s important for all people to be surrounded by imagery of strong women, both as inspiration and as a reflection of their own strength,” says San Francisco-based artist and children’s book author Meenal Patel. And for Meenal, selling her empowering, inclusive illustrations—many of which feature women of all backgrounds engaging in acts of unity and self-care—has offered her a chance to hold up a mirror for her buyers. “One customer wrote me a sweet note saying she could really see herself in my art; she felt like it was made specifically for her,” Meenal says. “She didn’t realize the impact seeing herself reflected in a piece could have on her. It made me tear up. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to provide that for someone.” Read more about Meenal’s uplifting art.
Live a balanced life
Yumiko Goto
Cleveland, Ohio
In the same way she shapes her nature-inspired bud vases and lidded pots to effortlessly blend form and function, ceramicist, art teacher, and mother of two Yumiko Goto aims to achieve harmony in her world outside the studio, too. “For me, a successful business means being able to have a well-balanced life,” says the Ohio-based entrepreneur behind Echo of Nature. “I want to spend time with my kids while they need me. I want to be the first person who sees them ride a bike without training wheels, I want to roll sushi and make cookies together.” And for Yumiko, running her shop on Etsy affords her freedom to do just that. “I can work whenever I have time, which allows me to be the mom I want to be.” Read more about Yumiko’s museum-quality ceramics.
Practice conscious consumption
Ingrida Margelė
Kaunas, Lithuania
For clothing designer Ingrida Margelė of Linenfox, Etsy has given her a way to spread a message of sustainability. “The values we stand for encourage our customers to start thinking about what and how they consume,” says Ingrida, whose environmentally friendly linen sundresses, layering jackets, and palazzo pants are often the gateway for her customers to start building a more eco-conscious wardrobe. And for Ingrida, starting a values-aligned business that revolves around locally sourced materials has pushed her to think more critically about how she works and who she hires, too. “The key is the people who work at Linenfox,” she says of her 16 passionate employees. “You can’t achieve much without a team that is ready to help you develop a transparent, ethical business.” Read more about Ingrida’s process and production practices.
Find ways to give back
Jamie Carlson
Vancouver, Canada
“It’s important for me to help other women in their creative ventures, whether it be sharing tips and tricks or teaching workshops,” says Scandinazn founder Jamie Carson, whose reclaimed leather, confetti-colored earrings are like a party for your ears. Her pay-it-forward approach has led to some pretty amazing connections, including with the inquiring customer who asked for life advice in the order notes of their purchase. “After a few more interactions, I received an email from her asking if I’d consider taking her on as an intern,” Jamie explains. “Through that internship, I’ve been able to teach her how much work goes into the whole process, from making the leather jewelry to marketing and branding. Aside from all the help she’s given me, I’ve learned so much from her, too. We’ve definitely grown together.” Read more about Jamie’s joyful upcycled jewelry.
Go at your own pace
Alex Bender
Berlin, Germany
Success looks different for everyone; for Berlin-based leather goods guru Alex Bender, it’s about having the freedom to build her business at her own clip. “I’m not oriented in constant growth,” she says. “I try to live in the moment and focus on what’s happening now.” That mindset has allowed Alex to maintain her creativity and stay nimble as she sews each of her minimalist totes, clutches, and cross-body bags by hand in her sunny studio, turning out small batches of her cult-classic leather goods whenever inspiration strikes. “I love being a one-woman business,” Alex says. “I feel very secure in who I am and what designs I like.” Read more about Alex’s hand-stitched leather goods.
Believe in your power
Alicia Goodwin
Chicago, Illinois
It might seem like a strong sense of confidence is a prerequisite to wearing bold, statement jewelry like the gold fringe earrings and etched-brass bangles in Alicia Goodwin’s shop, Lingua Nigra. But as the Chicago-based designer knows, sometimes it’s the jewelry itself that can make you hold your head a little higher. “With any kind of adornment, you’re looking for it to give you this special kind of power,” she explains. And just as each of the 50-plus designs in Alicia’s collection adds an extra air of self-assurance for the women who wear them, so has running her own shop given Alicia a sense of empowerment. “It wasn’t until I lost my full-time job that I realized I could actually sell at a steady pace on Etsy,” she says. “Now I look toward future goals without any hesitation—and that, to me, is success.” Read more about Alicia’s confidence-boosting designs.

54 comments
Anastasiya from byKiama said 1 year ago
Very inspiration interview, strong and smart women. Success in the future!
Watts DryGoods from WattsDryGoods said 1 year ago
Beautiful and inspirational!
Anastasia said 1 year ago
Love this!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 1 year ago
Wonderful article! Congrats to the featured ladies!
Anna from LissiKids said 1 year ago
Situations in life are different! But I know one thing - a woman must be self-sufficient !!!!!! It doesn’t matter which man is near, the woman should have her financial income !! It was for these reasons that I opened my store with children's clothing! thank you very much for this inspiring article!
Catherine from FlamingoMobile said 1 year ago
Very inspiring! Now I want to create even more.
Lina from DreamArtNatural said 1 year ago
How I love reading someone's stories, they always inspire and motivate!
Natalia Matveeva from NataliArtDolls said 1 year ago
Thank you for such interesting and inspiring interviews!
Padmini Persaud-Obasi from BrooklynLotus said 1 year ago
So many of my favorite Etsy sellers. Congratulations to all of you!
Natalya from LadiesDressingRoom said 1 year ago
Wooow! It's wonderful!!!
Savage Crow Artistry from SavageCrowArtistry said 1 year ago
Wonderful and inspiring! :)
Jane from CalmZone said 1 year ago
Feeling inspired, strong and empowered from these stories.
Sharon from YearsAfter said 1 year ago
Gorgeous colorful selections! Love everything!!
Verlena Wright from LuxSoapsByEve said 1 year ago
Very inspiring! A reminder never to give up on something that you are passionate about doing. Thank you, and congrats.
martha angelica mendoza said 1 year ago
like
Julia from JuliaLaugh said 1 year ago
They are very good !!! Thanks!
Agnieszka from Makramianki said 1 year ago
Women who inspire, thank you as I really need such inspirations. :) <3
Andrea Peter Fly from MyPhotographyArt said 1 year ago
These are all so different, still they have one thing in commun, they are a true inspiration! Always uplifting reading a post like this!
camille petrone from AccentiquesByCamille said 1 year ago
How inspiring ....and beautiful XO
Kelly Cozzi from HallieMaeCreations said 1 year ago
Absolutely inspirational! Congratulations to these wonderful women!
MCFleming from CreativePhotoStudio said 1 year ago
Very inspiring! Will be taking their advice...
Ann Morgan from MetaQuipp said 1 year ago
Wow! What a great blog read and These women rock!! So inspiring!! ✨💚
Carol from MasCollected said 1 year ago
Appreciate you Aleksa, and all featured! Well done, well said!
Teresa Purdie from TericsTangibles said 1 year ago
This was an inspiring article. Each story had a nugget for me. It is my hope to be "featured" one day. It is also a great accomplishment for these women.
AtelierBcnJoia from AtelierBcnJoiaShop said 1 year ago
Wonderful and inspiring post ♥
Songs of Autumn from SoftVintageMoments said 1 year ago
Beautiful intelligent inspiring women!
Weixi Candle Studio from WAYIDEAL said 1 year ago
So proud of you, work hard and strong!
Shalonda Williams from CookiesGoddessShoppe said 1 year ago
All of them were so inspirational.
Beaver Brown Burke from BeaverBrownDesigns said 1 year ago
Very interesting and inspirational stories from such talented women. I am inspired and motivated to improve my shop to showcase my talents too.
Relatably Unique from RelatablyUnique said 1 year ago
Nice, love this!
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 1 year ago
Hip Hip Hooray! Hooray for women! This is one of the best articles that I've read here on ETSY in years. It reminds me of the old days here on ETSY. This article was so encouraging and so inspiring. This is what we need here more articles like this and please bring back the open studio shop featured articles. Congratulations to all of the women and their shops that are featured in this article and thank you for sharing with us!!!
Keren from DIAinDIA said 1 year ago
Who rule the world ?! GIRLS!!!
TheRoseandCrownPaperCo from RoseandCrownPaper said 1 year ago
So Inspiring, love to see women succeed! thank you! <3
Patricia Doyen from LullabyAngels said 1 year ago
Wonderful!
Susan Jay from CaliCollectables said 1 year ago
These are all truly inspiring! I have to say, a few years ago when I saw the explosion women were creating on Instagram, most are here on Etsy as well, I knew that this period of time would be written in the history books, like the Suffragettes etc! It's an amazing time to be alive and be part of such a great moment in history... "The Era that Women Stood Together"!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 1 year ago
WOW! Great inspiration from everyone. Thank you all for such insight Rhonda.
Bob Hawaii from HawaiiBobsGardenArts said 1 year ago
Family first! Happy mom Happy life! Raising children there is no Other single most important job! Family and success Etsy makes it happen By offering a platform to do both together! Thank you to all the creators and the Moms Who inspired us to be!
Adele Smith from PapercraftDzines said 1 year ago
It’s wonderful to see that other women can make a great contribution with their work. It gives me hope and inspiration that I too can tackle anything I set my mind too. I too can make a great contribution with my work.
Donna Campbell from GritzDiscounts said 1 year ago
What great inspiration from other women who have taken control of their own destinies, doing what they enjoy. Etsy is proving to be a wonderful avenue for me to get my business up and running. I love that they do so much advertising and drive new customers to my shop. In my first month of business, in spite of some shipping challenges, I have been blown away at the orders I've gotten in less than a month of starting my shop. Corporate life was very disappointing, corrupt and filled with greedy, self-serving people. I knew I had to find a way out of that tornado. Etsy is giving me the opportunity to break away and be in control. I truly believe that if we do the right thing for the right reason, and keep our faith in God to steer us, we can't go wrong.
Sabrina from MJDFineArts said 1 year ago
Thank you guys for your inspiartional comments!
Vivs Custom Wreaths from VivsCustomWreaths said 1 year ago
Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing🦋
LostGeneration Creations from LostGenerationCA said 1 year ago
Incredibly inspiring! Great job ladies!
Thush P from SigmaCreationCrafts said 1 year ago
Lovely and very useful ideas are there.
Светлана Ямбаршева from NatureDropArtStudio said 1 year ago
Я восторгаюсь мастерами! Они являются идейными вдохновителями для нас!
Eartha from EarthasDesigns said 1 year ago
I have been inspired by several Etsy business owners. I will always be grateful to Etsy for the opportunity to become a small business owner. I am very appreciative to other business owners who have shared their tips with me. I had no idea that I would be able to turn my hobby into a business. My only regret is that I did not start earlier.
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 1 year ago
Wise, inspiring and very talented women. Empowering other women is a success in itself. Their creations are awesome and holding their own in the world of business and family inspires me to learn and continue to do all I can!
omar velasco from clocktok said 1 year ago
Women are always stronger than men, with out reason or measure! Every single women on earth is a Goddess to me!! Success always to all strong women!
Carolyn Dennis from carolyndennis96 said 1 year ago
I am thinking more every day of sharing my goods and talents in an Etsy store. I have one problem….what kind should it be? I make jewelry and have lots of supplies, I knit and have more yarn than I'll ever use and I also make soap, body butter and other beauty products. So if anyone has any suggestions I am very open to suggestions. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the comments from the different women.
lohutch from HutchCoDesigns said 1 year ago
Inspiring and hard-working women!
Luidmila Kalinina from Feltedcase said 1 year ago
These success stories are inspiring. They make us believe that everything conceived is possible. This is very timely. Now, more than ever, I want to believe that everything will be fine!
Nina from OriginalJewelrByNina said 1 year ago
Как интересно, позновательно, вдохновляюще. А главное чувствуешь поддержку, понимаешь, что ты не одна и все, все, все возможно! Надо только верить в себя и работать!!!
Idowu Oluwabunmi said 1 year ago
I am usually very happy when I see women with great sense of independence. I appreciate their strong-willed spirit.
Michele Monroe from YiaYiasNook said 345 days ago
I love...love this! Such talented and inspiring women! I started a small business a little over a year ago and these ladies encourage me to keep on going! ❤️
SlowKing said 241 days ago
Nice