I had the opportunity to interview two young women in my life (and when I say opportunity, I mean I forced them) who are some amazing boss babes. They have been my best friends since 8th grade, and now, all grown up, they both have their own small businesses on Etsy selling a variety of handmade goods, including shirts, onesies, and Mickey ears (just to name a few.)
I wanted to get inside their brains to see what it is like to be them: young women who go to school, have jobs and are running their own small businesses. Here's what they had to say!
How did you get started with your business?
Sydney: I was inspired by Jillian. I saw the freedom she had and thought, "Hey, I could do that, too!"
Jillian: My aunt and I were sitting on the front porch one day and I said, "Let's start an Etsy business."
What is the most challenging part of running your own business?
Sydney: Trying to come up with designs that large groups of people will like. Deciding what's next for the shop.
Jillian: Wearing a lot of different caps. I just do everything. I manage the money, make the product, design everything, market. I do it all, man.
How long have you been in business?
Sydney: Since October of last year. Almost a whole year!
Jillian: Two years.
Where do you see your business in five years?
Sydney: I would like to think I'll still be doing it. The shop just hit 50 sales, so the business is definitely growing and expanding. I'm excited to see where the shop goes in the next few years.
Jillian: In a storefront. Just kidding, I think I'll still be on Etsy; online shopping is where it's at.
Does being in college/having a job pose any problems with filling your work?
Sydney: YES! I feel like I'm lucky that, during this school year, my sales were on the slow side. It can be hard to balance school work, filling orders, and coming up with new designs. The shop definitely took a back seat during the semester, but it's getting easier to juggle it all.
Jillian: Yes, all of the problems. Just finding balance and organizing your time. Like determining what is more important at the moment because they both hold importance in my life.
Do you have a favorite item you sell? Is there a theme in your best-selling items?
Sydney: Disney, all Disney. Right now, my best seller is a princess onesie, but my favorite is my new "Mommy's Main Squeeze" onesie.
Jillian: Yes, everything Broadway, and Disney sells a lot. My favorite are things that I can relate to or want to use for myself. For example, my "I'm enGAYged" shirt. The things that represent who I am.
Where do you find inspiration for new listings?
Sydney: I don't know. I feel like I get ideas when I'm scrolling through Etsy or social media. I catch cute little sayings or ideas that would look nice on a onesie.
Jillian: I find inspiration all over. In stores, current events in the world, shows, things that hold importance to me. I find inspiration in the things going on in my life.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start up their own small business?
Sydney: Just go for it. I was really hesitant at first. I wasn't sure if it would take off. I doubted myself and thought that no one would like what I was putting out there. In the end, even if it doesn't work, you still gain life lessons and learn a lot.
Jillian: Just do it. It's going to take a long time for it to be rewarding, but it'll eventually get there. Nothing is going to happen overnight, but one day, you'll be able to wake up and be like, "Wow, look at what I did!" It will never be easy, but it will be a lot of fun.
You can find these awesome boss babes on Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy. Don't forget to always shop small and support independent creators! Give these babes a follow and like at:
Sydney: SewingBySyd
Jillian: SayItNowBoutique