Podcast Episode 228: The POD Gift Strategy That Took This Etsy Shop to $75K -with Kelley West

 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/2Ez5kG6NNds 

ABOUT KELLEY:

Kelley West is a former HR leader who turned to Etsy after becoming a mom of two and realizing she wanted more flexibility—and more control over her time. She started her shop in the summer of 2024 as a side hustle, and within 18 months generated over $75,000 in revenue. That success gave her the freedom to step away from corporate life in 2026 and build a business on her own terms. She’s currently preparing for a relaunch of her shop in summer 2026, with a focus on elevated, heirloom-quality products and a more intentional brand direction.

EPISODE SUMMARY:  

In this episode of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," I am thrilled to welcome Kelley West, a remarkable Etsy seller who has achieved incredible success in a short amount of time. Kelley, a former HR leader, turned to Etsy after becoming a mom of two, seeking more flexibility and control over her time. She launched her shop in the summer of 2024 as a side hustle and, within just 18 months, generated over $75,000 in revenue.

We dive deep into Kelley's journey, discussing her initial struggles with finding her niche and the various products she experimented with before hitting her stride. Kelley candidly shares her early experiences, including her attempts at creating "hippie Halloween" designs that ultimately didn't resonate with her style or the market. She emphasizes the importance of quickly pivoting and adapting her approach based on what was working and what wasn't.

One of the standout aspects of Kelley's success is her focus on higher profit margin print-on-demand items, particularly blankets. We explore how she utilized tools like Everbee to analyze search terms and identify demand, allowing her to create products that filled gaps in the market. Kelley's strategy of looking outside of Etsy for design inspiration and trends is a key takeaway for listeners, as she highlights the value of understanding her ideal customer and the broader retail landscape.

Throughout our conversation, Kelley shares practical tips on managing time as a busy mom and entrepreneur, including how she fits her Etsy work into the nooks and crannies of her day. We discuss the importance of creating a cohesive brand and product line, as well as the lessons learned from trial and error, including the significance of color contrast in her designs.

As we wrap up the episode, I encourage listeners to embrace the journey of building their Etsy shops, reminding them that success often comes from experimentation, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Kelley's inspiring story serves as a testament to what can be achieved with determination and the right mindset.

Join us for this insightful episode filled with actionable advice, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at Kelley's Etsy journey!

EPISODE DETAILS:  

If you want to break through the noise in the POD space on Etsy, you’ve got to hear Kelley’s success story as a busy Mama! By focusing on giftable products in a high demand niche and obsessing over the aesthetic of her perfect customer– she scaled her shop to over $75k in revenue in her first 18 months on Etsy.

**“How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy” is not affiliated with or endorsed by Etsy.com 

STUFF I MENTIONED: 

⭐ Check out ProfitTree’s new product research tool ETSY RADAR:  https://lifetime.profittree.io/?via=lizzie87

Get the best profit tracking tool to help you know your numbers AND a product research tool for a one time fee of $67. (completely insane)

Profittree Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO7Ra18ZPTw&t=1s

⭐ Interested in an advanced Etsy Cohort? https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/interested-in-advanced-cohort 

⭐ Submit your questions for the upcoming FAQ episode:

 https://sprw.io/stt-dEeCxhdfYaf3eqBYohD7fZ

CONTACT KELLEY:

Email: kelleynewm@gmail.com

HOW I HELP ETSY SELLERS GROW:

⭐Scaling Society: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/scaling-society

⭐"How to Blow Up Your Etsy Shop" free training: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/interested-in-blow-up-shop 

⭐Trendspotting: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/trendspotting

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🎙️ Apply to be on the Podcast: https://sprw.io/stt-xfsV5fhDxxT3NJGVBghmWp

FIND LIZZIE:

Find me on Instagram and TikTok @HowtoSellYourStuff 

HOW TO SELL YOUR STUFF WEBSITE: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/ 

HOW TO SELL YOUR STUFF SHOWNOTES: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/228

*Some of the links above are affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. You can see my affiliate disclosure here: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/affiliate-disclosure

💛 A quick heads up — this episode includes a paid sponsor mention.