Back at it to bring you more “great news”. If you are using make up (including anything for your lips <balms, etc>) that is commercially produced by one of the standard big box companies, there is a HUGE chance that you are putting dangerous toxins directly into your system. For many people, this is an everyday, no thought required act. Every.Single.Day. Here is JUST ONE study showing actual factoids/numbers. There are plenty out there for you to read. I’m just going to specifically mention your lip care routine. HERE is the GREAT NEWS: It’s surprisingly easy to DIY a basic lip balm 💋that is also cost effective with a few simple ingredients (just be sure you are using organics and KNOW YOUR SOURCE). (also, I know where you can purchase some great balms <wink wink> if you’d prefer.) My point is, WHY would you willingly add more toxic chemicals ☠️ to an already overburdened system when it’s truly simple to change things? One baby step 👣 at a time. Start with your lips. You’re worth it. 🥰

Greetings, friends. I recently had the pleasure 🥰 to chat with someone whose opinions I value and admire, and she (once again, someone else) recommended that I try Etsy to establish a larger sales base. I have wrangled with this from the very start (2 years now) of my soapmaking journey and it was why I decided that I needed to:

1. Create my own web site (the learning curve was steep and the learning is ongoing, but my “fees” are up front and manageable)
2. Create a FB/Pinterest/IG presence to promote both my products and website
3. Try local promoting (Farmer’s Markets, etc) (this has proven to be far more difficult than I had anticipated)
4. Physically knock on some local business doors 🚪(spas and the like) to see if they were interested in carrying my product(s) (this is my next plan of action once I can brave the arctic conditions🐧)

I am happy to share that word of mouth has been helpful (THANK YOU ALL!😍) and that I have a very loyal, albeit small, customer base, but Etsy beckons. With a world-wide customer base of MILLIONS and the potential to reach so many more people, it truly is alluring and worth another look-see by me. I understand why people use this app day in and day out for the custom type of articles they seek to buy. CONVENIENCE. <sigh> I would probably do the same - if I were a shopper (which I am not, at heart) and if I wasn’t busy trying to make and promote my own products. (which I am 😁)
Once again, my research beginnings this time around show me why I decided to forgo the Etsy route. Fees. FEES are EVERYWHERE and they add up quickly. I would have to raise prices on my product accordingly, which, in my opinion, might keep most people from even trying them to begin with. Are you willing to pay > $10 (at least) for a bar of soap? Do you know and care about the benefits that actual organic ingredients make? My profit margin is miniscule as I don’t have the overhead of a brick and mortar store (which includes utilities, etc), a web designer (thank goodness for the DIY sites now offered), a marketer, etc, etc. Yet, even with that, I struggle to find “my tribe”. My tribe seeks to buy and use the most healthful products available, and armed with a sound knowledge base, is willing to pay their hard earned $ for said products that they know they can trust and that will enhance their health. Your food, health and beauty products, etc – most ALL contain toxic chemicals (POISONS☠️) that are everywhere and no one is looking out for your best interest. NO ONE. Investing in one’s own health is paramount to the people I seek to reach.
All of this being said, I’m interested in anyone who SELLS on Etsy. I would truly be grateful to hear how you built a customer base, how you price around the multitude of fees and what you find most helpful about selling on this platform. #changemymind
TYIA! ❤️
www.merchantmaverick.com/reviews/etsy-review/
https://youtu.be/qBsqfNu3pvc