What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Etsy Shop (And What I’m Learning as I Go)

May 22, 2025

When we first launched Smokey & Bros, I had a head full of ideas, a folder full of designs, and a hope that someone out there would fall in love with a cat hoodie the same way I had.

We haven’t cracked the Etsy code yet — not even a single sale to our name — but we’re learning every day, showing up, and pushing forward. If you’re just starting out, or even just thinking about starting, here are a few lessons I wish I’d known sooner:

1. You Don’t Need to Be a Pro Designer — Just Willing to Learn

Seriously. I’ve spent more time fiddling with Canva, MidJourney, and mockup templates than I care to admit. But I’ve improved — because I kept going. Your first designs might not be winners, but your 50th? They just might be.

2. Etsy is a Marketplace — Not a Magic Wand

I thought Etsy would send people to my shop just because I uploaded something cute. Nope. SEO matters. Keywords matter. And being on Etsy is like setting up shop in a giant mall — you still have to make your window stand out.

3. Think Like an Etsy Shopper, Not a Seller

Would I buy this if I saw it in a scroll? Does this design speak to someone looking for a gift, or just me and my cats? I’ve had to learn to step out of “creator mode” and into “customer goggles.” It changes everything.

4. It's Okay to Feel Stuck Sometimes

Some days, I feel like I’m spinning wheels. But I keep telling myself — every post, every listing, every blog, it’s laying bricks. And brick by brick, a brand starts to form. You’ve got to be patient with the process...it takes time.

5. Pinterest Might Be My Secret Weapon

We’re leaning into Pinterest hard now — because it doesn’t just bring traffic today, it keeps working tomorrow. Learning how to pin with purpose is turning out to be a big piece of the puzzle.

6. You Don’t Have to Fake It — Just Share the Journey

The pressure to look like you're successful is real. But I’ve found that people respond better to honesty than hype. So here we are — no sales yet, but plenty of heart, humour, and hustle.

7. AI Can Be Your Best Teammate

From writing blog posts (like this one) to creating visuals, AI’s been a game changer. It’s not about replacing yourself — it’s about freeing up your time to focus on the creative stuff you want to do.

Final Thought:

If you’re starting out and you feel like everyone else is ahead of you — don’t stress. You’re just at a different part of the path. Learn as you go. Be open. Be real.

And if your shop isn’t perfect yet? Neither is mine. But we’re building something. And that’s what matters.