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Biz Profile: Shayna Maidel
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What is your name? Rachel Green
What is your business name? Shayna Maidel
What is your website URL? http://shaynamaidel.etsy.com
When did you start your business? Approximately 10/1/07
Why did you decide to start your business & why did you choose the type of business you chose? I like to make things on my own instead of buying them readymade. I stumbled across Etsy first to sell my artwork, and that didn’t sell at all. I was already making my own cosmetics and lip balm so I took the plunge.
What is your favorite thing about being in business for yourself? This is a cliché, but working for myself – not working for “The Man.”
What turned out to be harder than you thought? Staying motivated & keeping to a schedule.
Looking back, what is one thing you know now, but wish you knew back then? In the beginning I didn’t use Paypal shipping and I didn’t use delivery confirmation. I use it with everything now as it is built into Paypal’s shipping anyway. I find the extra tracking helpful in case a customer asks about the status of a package.
Do you participate in any business groups (mentoring, networking, etc) ? I am on Team EtsyChai and the Cruelty Free Etsyian Street Team.
As a business owner, it can be easy to work all the time – do you have any tips for balancing your business and your personal life? I don’t balance them. They bleed into one and other.
What have been some of your best business successes? I am surprised with the number of sales I have had and the numerous countries I’ve shipped to. It is very cool to know your products are traveling to places I’ve never even been to!
What are you planning to do with your business in the future? Adding new lip gloss colors!
Biz Profile: Pink Parchment Soaps
What is your name? Trish Herndon
What is your business name? Pink Parchment Soaps
What is your website URL? www.PinkParchmentSoaps.Etsy.com
When did you start your business? 2007
Why did you decide to start your business & why did you choose the type of business you chose? We decided to start a business because we became addicted to making soap. We also love to experiment with new colors, scents, and formulas – all of which cost money. So, after several years of positive feedback from family and friends, the only way to keep experimenting was to start selling!
What is your favorite thing about being in business for yourself?
Working your own hours and making products that you love!
What turned out to be harder than you thought?
Product pricing and keeping focused on a product line! (we’re still working on that)
Looking back, what is one thing you know now, but wish you knew back then?
Who would turn out to be our favorite and most consistent suppliers. There are so many suppliers out there its hard to narrow your choices down.
Do you participate in any business groups (mentoring, networking, etc) ?
We take classes and go to functions at the Small Business Administration.
As a business owner, it can be easy to work all the time – do you have any tips for balancing your business and your personal life? Actually because both of my daughters help with the soap making, it balances it self. We now spend a lot more time talking and having fun!
What have been some of your best business successes?
Having customers who love our soap and come back for more!
What are you planning to do with your business in the future?
We hope to continue to grow and add expand our product line.