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Podcast Episode 239: The Surprising Math Behind a $500/Month Etsy Shop – with Cody Berman

etsy podcast Jun 25, 2026
The Surprising Math Behind a $500/Month Etsy Shop

 

 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/h2_4T73cq40 

 

ABOUT CODY:

Cody Berman is a digital nomad who quit his corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship full-time. He started selling digital products in 2018 and became hooked after earning $700+ in one week. He also hosts The Financial Independence Show. In his spare time you might find him traveling, working out, or building another business. 

  • Cody loves selling seasonal products
  • Earns over 6-figures in passive income
  • Quit corporate America in 2019 
  • Reached financial independence by age 25 

 

EPISODE SUMMARY:  

In this episode of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," I am thrilled to welcome back Cody Berman from Gold City Ventures. Cody is not only a digital nomad and successful entrepreneur but also a bestselling author of the book "Retire by 30." Our conversation dives deep into the principles of financial independence and how Etsy can serve as a powerful launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs.

We kick off the episode with a personal update about my recent move to northern Wisconsin, complete with the usual chaos of relocating with a menagerie of pets. I share some of the challenges we faced during the move, including a broken trailer hitch and the adventure of keeping our hedgehog, Pecan, at the right temperature.

Transitioning into our main topic, I express my excitement about Cody's new book and the unique perspective he brings to the financial independence movement, particularly in relation to Etsy. Cody shares his journey of quitting his corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship full-time, emphasizing the importance of consistent, small daily actions in achieving financial goals. He explains how even modest earnings from an Etsy shop can compound over time, leading to significant financial freedom.

Cody and I discuss the two main approaches to achieving financial independence: the nest egg method and cash flow financial independence. He breaks down how investing small amounts consistently can lead to substantial wealth over time, and how side hustles like selling digital products on Etsy can provide the necessary income to fund investments.

Throughout our conversation, we touch on the mindset shifts required to view Etsy not just as a side gig but as a stepping stone to greater financial freedom. Cody shares his experience of starting a new Etsy shop and the strategies he employed to reach impressive income milestones in a short time. We also explore the importance of scalable side hustles, which allow for flexibility in work hours and the potential for passive income.

As we wrap up, Cody highlights the skills gained from side hustles, even those that may not have succeeded, and how they contribute to long-term entrepreneurial success. We emphasize the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can always pivot and adapt, reinforcing the idea that failure is not the end but rather a part of the journey.

Join us for this inspiring and informative episode that encourages you to take action, embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, and leverage Etsy as a powerful tool for building your dream life.

 

EPISODE DETAILS:  

Could an Etsy shop earning $200–$1,000 per month be worth more than you realize? In this episode, Cody and I discuss the surprising power of passive income, investing, and the role Etsy can play in building long-term wealth. Drawing from his FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) background and his new book Retire by 30, Cody explains why you don't need a six-figure Etsy shop to change your financial future—and how even modest monthly profits can create meaningful freedom over time. 

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

 

STUFF I MENTIONED: 

Get Cody’s Book: Retire by 30: https://amzn.to/4xmoRlv  

Join EPrintables for our private launch:https://lizziesmiley--gold-city-ventures.thrivecart.com/private-enrollment/    

Joining Scaling Society (get $50 off your first month with code 50SCALE): https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/scaling-society 

⭐ FIND GOLD CITY VENTURES:

Instagram: @GoldCityVentures

 

Check out Cody’s previous appearances on the podcast:

Ep 226 | How Cody Scaled a $1K Printable Shop to $4K in 30 Days -with Gold City Ventures

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/226 

Ep 199 | How to Start Selling Printables for the Holidays

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/199 

Ep 147 | Side Hustle Guy Commits to Etsy Printables After Earning $700 in One Week

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/147

Ep 121 | Create a Passive Income Etsy Shop with Trending Digital Products

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/121

Ep 101 | How to Create Passive Income with Digital Products Over the Holidays

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/101

Ep 74 | Secrets to Creating a Passive Income Stream selling e-Printables

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/how-to-create-digital-products-to-sell

 

Episodes with Cody’s Business Partner Julie:

Ep 175 | 5 Growing Digital Product Niches

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/175

Ep 35 | Create a Passive Income Selling Printables on Etsy

Details: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/Sell-printables-on-etsy

 

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/239

*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

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