Etsy Friends Sunday Spotlight

This week's featured shop is: WyrembelskisVintage

1. How long have you been in business?

Opening my store towards the end of August, I have only been in business about two months. They say your first year is the most difficult, yet most important time to stick it out, and learn as much as possible about the keys to having a successful store on Etsy.

2. How did you get started in this business?

Over the past few years, my favorite show on TV was always American Pickers. I knew that I was passionate about picking ever since I was first hooked on the show! After a few years of watching every single episode I told myself that this summer I would begin my first picking excursion with my long time best friend Sean Siggins. After picking a few places around our hometowns we realized that we can do this too. Ever since then, I have had my Etsy store, where I share my treasures with my customers.

3. Can you provide me with a description of your business?

First I will give you a description of what a picker is. I shall quote a fellow Etsian; "A person in the noble profession of rescuing unrecognized treasures from the clutches of their owners who are going to abandon them and finding them new owners who will love and care for them for the rest of their useful life”. And hopefully make a profit along the way. Finding items and putting them in their place is what

picking is all about. When I can find a stoneware jug from Delaware Ohio, and my customer online from that same city finds that piece and then they can now own that piece, is what picking is all about. Once I have obtained these treasures, I clean them up, spend some time to research that item, and then it goes into my shop after spending some hours on photos, and listing that item. I also sell in person offering Vintage sales on the weekends.

4. How did you come up with the name of your business?

The name of my business is rather simple. I wanted something that was easy to remember and a title that could include my name. Wyrembelskis Vintage is the name of my store. I am a true fan of the "KISS" policy. Keep it simple silly! That was always a saying when I was in grade school, and It sort of stuck with me. I like to apply it to a few different aspects of my life.

5. Is this your only job?

This is not my only job. My day job is a IT technician, serving my local computer shop. I work about 40 hours a week at my job you can imagine when I have to squeeze time into my busy life to attend to picking and my Etsy store. It truly is a second job, and the hours and time I have put into it have been reflected by my early success. I would one day love to be able to quit my day job, and pick and sell vintage full time. Although in today’s real world, that can be a stretch from reality.

6. Favorite part of owning your own business?

My favorite part of owning my own business is that when I am picking, its not work. I do not have set hours or guidelines. Its just me, my best friend, and the open road. Being a sole proprietor has taught me that you are only as successful as the amount of work in which you put in. If you only out in 80% of the work, you will only receive 80% of success. When you are passionate about something, you never work a day in your life.

7. Least Favorite part?

The least favorite part about my business is the process of actually listing the item. I may have 3 hours into cleaning, researching, photos and listing a single item. Since I am the only member of my business, that responsibility all falls on me to make sure products are listed correctly and professionally. It can take a toll on you mentally and physically.

8. What has proven to be the best ways to market your business?

The best ways to market my business is letting my photos and items speak for themselves. With Esty, SEO, tags, and photos are the single most crucial aspect of having a successful store. Many

store owners overlook the importance of spending time on these three aspects. When a potential customers uses a search engine to search for a specific product, you want to make sure that if they are

searching for a product similar to yours, that your item is found. Also, make friends with collectors and

others in your community who are interested in the same things that you are. You would not believe the connections that I have made just by getting involved in whats going on around me.



9. Your advice to someone just starting out?
My advice to someone who is wanting to enter the Etsy market would be simple. Only make this commitment if you are passionate about what you make or do. If you are not 100% passionate about it, you will fail. Its really that simple. The level of competition on Etsy is fierce. Only the best shops will make it in today’s economy. When you are passionate about what you do, it will almost feel easy. Stick to your goals, and have confidence in yourself if you truly do have a passion for something.



10. Anything else you'd like to share about yourself or your business?

As a conclusion, I would like to thank Michelle for taking her time and choosing myself as an entry to her blog :).

 

Thanks to Derek for agreeing to be my feature this week. Stop by his store and check out some of the treasures he has found. WyrembelskisVintage