As Etsy shop owners we are many things: the creative person, the maker, the bookkeeper, the postal worker, the PR person, supplies gatherer, stocktaker, office manager and social media manager. When you find out you are about to add parent to this list, it can leave you feeling nervous.
In an ideal world, you would shut down shop and live off the savings you have skillfully stockpiled during your pregnancy — but for many small-business owners it doesn’t always work out that way. When I became pregnant with my second baby, my Etsy shop was thriving. After the initial excitement, I quickly realised that my baby was due in October, right in the middle of the busiest time of year. It wasn’t an option for me to close my shop during that time. Instead, I made a plan and put my shop in Vacation Mode for six weeks leading up to my due date to prepare for reopening for the Christmas rush in November. This was the plan that was best for me and my business, but everyone’s situation is unique. Here are my top tips for planning for the birth or adoption of a child while running a growing creative business.
1. Build Up Your Inventory
Take stock and establish what your best-selling items are. Can you stockpile them prior to taking leave? Or at least have supplies ready so you can start making items again as soon as you want to reopen your shop? Planning some of your inventory in advance can help you feel more prepared for an extended break. You could also consider reducing the number of items in your shop or temporarily removing listings that could be more difficult to create, to keep things manageable in the short term.
2. Communicate With Customers Early and Often
Set expectations with your customers so they know to get their orders in before your cut-off date. Update your Shop Announcement to let customers know that you’ll be temporarily closing up shop, and give them a date to check back in. You can also add a message to your shop Cover Photo using free software like Canva to add text. Sometimes it is nice to tell people why you are closing. When we had an announcement on our shop that we would be closing soon to have another baby, our customers were unbelievably patient and kind. When you do put your shop in Vacation Mode, you have the option to add a message to your Conversation Auto-Reply to let people know you received the message, but it might take you awhile to get back to them.
3. Make a Social Media Calendar
The key to a successful social media presence is consistent posting. You’ve already invested time into building your social following, so have a plan for how you’ll keep those fans engaged while you’re taking a break. Stockpile some photos for social media. You might be tempted to share a lot of baby photos (you’re excited, and rightfully so), but it’s always good to mix up the type of photos you’re sharing. Have some work-in-progress shots and behind-the-scenes images ready to go. You can also supplement your own images by re-sharing the work of other Etsy shop owners you admire on your feed. Stay active on social media by liking and commenting on other people’s work.
4. Download the Sell on Etsy App
If you haven’t already, download and set up the Sell on Etsy app on your mobile device. This way, you can answer any Convos you might receive while on Vacation Mode. I’ve found that shoppers will often ask questions about an item so they can be ready to make their purchase as soon as you reopen. Customers will receive your auto-reply, but it’s nice to also check in and reply personally when you can.
5. Celebrate Your Reopening
It’s normal to be nervous when your shop has been closed for an extended period and to wonder: Will I still have customers when I return? The answer is yes. Your old regulars will return — and will be happy to see you open again — because you gave them lots of notice you were closing. You might have new customers, too, who have discovered your shop and asked to be alerted when you return.
Let people know when you will be reopening a few days in advance. Planning a reopening sale or promotion can help you build buzz. Plan a small promotion or team up with other another seller to do a sale together or reach out to your Etsy friends and the members of Etsy Teams you’re active in and ask if they can help you get the word out about your reopening.
Count down to your reopening on social media. For example: We’ll be reopening in one week with a big sale and new items. A promotion or sale always brings people to your shop. You can use coupon codes to offer a percentage off or free delivery. In my experience, shoppers do use the 'notify me' button, and I always get a huge rush of orders on the first day I reopen.
6. Ask For Help When You Need It
Have a clear idea of what tasks you have to do: where your skills are, such as sewing the items or illustrating — and what tasks you can get help with. Maybe you could suggest to family and friends that instead of a present for the baby, what would be most useful would be a couple of hours of help packing orders or heading to the post office when you reopen your shop. People often offer help when you a have a new baby, so take them up on it.
It is extremely difficult to let go of some of the control of your business, and it is normal to feel apprehensive about doing this. Being available to answer questions when people are learning about certain tasks will help you feel more at ease. Accept that things might not be done exactly how you would do them. Be clear about the things that really matter, focus on that and just let the other things go.
7. Streamline Your Workflow
Use the time before your leave to put some systems in place to simplify your workflow. Maybe this is a time to write it all down and show someone how to do it — even if they’ve never logged in to Etsy. I remember trying to show my husband how to pack orders using the system I had found to be most efficient, but he wanted to do it in a different way he thought made more sense. Instead of arguing, I just let him. If the right orders were packed in the right envelopes and marked as dispatched, then it didn’t really matter how that happened.
A few small things can make running your shop easier while also dealing with diaper changes — both for you and anyone who might be assisting you. First, make sure your Shop Policies are clear and all sections of your shop are filled out. If you have a number of frequently asked questions, outline the answers in your shop listings or in the FAQ section of your policies. Next, set up Snippets for commonly asked question or responses you might be sending via Conversations.
8. Take Some Time for Yourself
The most important thing you can do during this time is be kind to yourself. You just had a baby. Everyone will tell you they grow up so fast, and they do. Your customers will return when you reopen, and it won’t take long to get back in the swing of things. When you do reopen, everything will take a little bit longer to get done. And that’s okay.
What’s your best tip for temporarily closing your shop or running a shop with a baby at home? Share in the comments below.
Words by Cath Young
Cath Young of My Bearded Pigeon makes homewares with images inspired by yesteryear, printed on modern organic cotton and linen. Cath lives with her husband, two daughters and their big black dog in a tiny town in Australia.
