[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message]Niche : Home and Living
Shop link : https://www.etsy.com/shop/melissasminiwereld
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/melissasminiwereld
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/melissasminiwereld[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Tell us something about yourself. What is your niche? How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
I have made miniatures for more than 25 years. When I lost my job I decided to make it my job. I really enjoy designing my furniture myself so I bought a laser machine to make kits out of it. And fortunately, there are more people who like my furniture.
What are your responsibilities as a business owner?
Every day I check what is happening in my shop, messages are answered and orders are kept. In the meantime, I will update my listings as soon as possible. I ship orders once or twice a week.
What are your best selling products, what type of materials are used in your creations, how do you design your products, what makes your products stand out?
My best-selling products are actually the Art Nouveau style furniture. If I also want to make a piece of furniture again, I first look on google for inspiration and use that to make another piece of furniture. The kits are made of MDF so that I can keep the price as low as possible. When I have drawn everything, I will first assemble the model myself. I do that so that I can make the best possible description of how you can put it together yourself.
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What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur? What’s the hardest about it?
What I enjoy most is the design of my kits. I really enjoy that. If you also get a nice review, it makes you very proud. I find administration the most boring thing to do.
Who do you sell to (and how do you get customers)? What marketing tools or strategies you use to boost your sales? Are you satisfied with the results?
My customers find me, that’s the great thing about Etsy. But as soon as I have something new again, I will advertise on Facebook and Instagram. And my products are listed in various dollhouse magazines.
Do you believe there is a winning formula for becoming a successful entrepreneur? What is yours?
You sell yourself first and then your product. By that, I mean that you have to be honest and trustworthy. And must fully support your product. The rest will come naturally.
What was the toughest moment you have experienced in your business practice? How did you succeed to get over it and move forward?
The most difficult thing I find is that there are people who are not satisfied. They find it too difficult to make or they don’t like it. I got over that by thinking that you can’t make everyone happy. No matter how beautiful your product is.
What inspires you when you’re creating? How do you get ideas for new products? What are some methods or tools you use to get creative?
I get a lot of inspiration from google or Pinterest. There are beautiful miniatures on it. That always gives me a boost to make something new again, or when I’m on holiday in a foreign country. The architecture and the interiors also inspire me enormously.
Do you ship your product internationally? How do you handle postage pricing? What is the average time it takes from the order to the delivery? Do you use free shipping? If so, why? How do you package your products?
I ship all over the world, I don’t ship for free because my product is not that expensive, luckily my customers don’t have a problem with that. How long it takes for something to arrive depends on the country I’m sending it to.
What would you say are the key elements for starting and running a successful online business?
Believe in yourself, believe in your product. Those are the most important elements.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are starting out?
Believe in yourself, believe in your product. Those are the most important elements.
How do you personally define business success? Is it money? Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation? Something else?
I think I owe my success in making something special. My miniatures are different from everyone else. Over the years I have developed my own design, which makes me exceptional compared to others.
Describe your day-to-day operation. How do you manage your time?
I spend all day maintaining my inventory listings. In addition, I try to come up with and develop new miniatures.
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How do you plan on growing your business? What is the biggest impact on your profitability?
I have no idea. I keep coming up with new miniatures and I hope people continue to like it. I think that’s the most important.
What are some things you did to set your shop for success on Etsy? What is one lesson you learned the hard way?
It is important that you put good photos on Etsy. I learned that. So now I spend a lot more time taking good pictures.
Anything you wish to add, feel free to do so here. We value your opinion
What’s special about my shop is that I make all my miniatures in different sizes, so that everyone can find something for their dollhouse.
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