Chapter 1: Embracing Change

I find it hard to remain inactive.

My creative spirit simply won’t allow it. For the last month, I've been acutely aware that the school year is coming to a close. On one hand, I feel exhilarated—no more grading assignments or crafting lesson plans, just some well-deserved relaxation. Yet, relaxation eludes me.

There's a relentless ticking clock in my mind. It's as if the young man I was two decades ago is back to remind me that time waits for no one, and my aspirations won't achieve themselves. This summer feels crucial.

At one point, I focused my attention on Medium, hoping to discover a viral success that would lead to financial gains. Let’s just say that I’m no longer holding my breath for that.

Does this mean I’m abandoning the platform? Absolutely not! Writing serves as a form of therapy for me, and I genuinely enjoy engaging with both readers and fellow writers. However, it's clear that I need to pivot and identify a more sustainable income stream.

I believe I may have found that opportunity with Etsy.com.

I first learned about Etsy several years back, initially viewing it as a marketplace for crafts and odds and ends. It wasn't until I came across a TikTok video about three weeks ago that I realized people are successfully selling digital products on the platform.

After some research, I discovered that popular offerings included digital planners and printable fitness logs. I decided to hire a graphic designer on Fiverr.com to create a couple of documents for me to sell.

Ultimately, I might as well have created the documents myself, given that I needed to produce follow-up materials and even a digital binder for my fitness log. The only reason I sought a designer was that I’m still familiarizing myself with Canva. My software of choice is Marq (formerly Lucid Press).

This experience leads me to the first of three key lessons I've gleaned from my Etsy journey over these past three weeks:

#1. Cultivate Daily Decisiveness Toward Your Goals

When I first contemplated starting my Etsy shop, I was also juggling another competing idea. Eventually, I had to acknowledge that to achieve success, I needed to focus on one goal at a time. I let the other idea go.

Since making that choice about three weeks ago, I’ve taken consistent steps forward. I designed my logo, set up my shop banner, and launched my first product within hours. By the weekend, I had expanded my offerings to three products.

Throughout my life, I’ve been an overthinker and, in many cases, an underachiever. I spent my twenties consuming personal finance literature, but when it came time to act on that knowledge, I struggled.

Fast forward a couple of decades, and I can proudly say I’ve shifted my approach. Instead of allowing my fears about design skills to hinder me, I took the plunge and hired someone for the initial job while still creating a cover and binder for marketing.

What do you think? 🤔

Shortly after completing the workout journal binder, I focused on a meal planner, designing a cover for that project in Canva as well.

In the past, I often let perceived limitations stop me from trying new things. Now, the urgency of that ticking clock motivates me to leave my comfort zone and confront my fears head-on.

#2. Embrace Continuous Learning

The second significant lesson from these past weeks is to dive fully into whatever you're pursuing. I’ve been focused on finding educational resources—videos, podcasts, and analyzing my competitors to identify their strengths and potential areas for improvement.

I recognized an opportunity while researching lesson plan templates. As a teacher, I understand the value of a well-structured lesson plan template. Over the years, I’ve created dozens. However, I noticed that many Etsy templates didn’t leverage technology effectively.

I decided to learn how to create a dropdown menu in Google Docs, a feature introduced by Google a couple of years ago. After watching tutorials, I crafted my own template.

Excited about this product, I made it the centerpiece of my Etsy campaign. Despite receiving around 800 views, 9 clicks, and $3 in earnings, I still haven’t made a sale. Thankfully, I’m in this for the long haul, and quitting is not an option.

Chapter 2: Overcoming Fear

#3. Embrace Failure, Reject Complacency

The final insight I’ve gained over the last couple of weeks is that the only thing to truly fear is fear itself. If you allow it, fear can lead to laziness. The same emotion that can paralyze you can also serve as a powerful catalyst for action.

It’s all about choosing to move past that fear and using it as motivation to propel yourself forward. But act quickly; that clock is only getting louder.

The first video captures three years of Etsy insights condensed into just 15 minutes, perfect for anyone looking to navigate their own Etsy journey.

The second video offers a live Q&A session addressing current happenings on Etsy, ideal for sellers seeking timely advice and insights.