Podcast Episode 245: Over $14k earned in Junk Journal Ephemera -with Ren Zeringue

 WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/y8EYW0lJYcE

ABOUT REN:

Ren is a Millennial Renaissance Woman. She began her career as a foster care case manager and spent more than a decade working in social services. Throughout that time, she always felt a pull toward online entrepreneurship—something that started in the early 2000s when she sold her college textbooks on Half.com, later expanding into handmade journals on eBay and digital designs on Zazzle.

Ren officially began her Etsy journey in 2021, and the path has taken many forms since then. She experimented with handmade products, explored print-on-demand, and eventually found her niche in digital products. Today, Ren is intentionally building a small online empire—one listing at a time. Her goal is simple: to create income that supports her family without being tied to a traditional job. When Ren joined Lizzie’s Scaling Society in May 2025, she had fewer than 200 sales. As of June 2026, she has surpassed 4,800 sales and generated more than $14,500 in revenue through her Etsy shop. At the heart of it all, Ren is building a business designed around what matters most—time, creativity, and family.

EPISODE SUMMARY:  

In this exciting episode of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," I am thrilled to welcome Ren, a millennial renaissance woman who has transformed her Etsy shop into a thriving business. Ren's journey is nothing short of inspiring, as she transitioned from a decade-long career in social services to embracing her entrepreneurial spirit, which began with selling college textbooks online.

We dive deep into Ren's evolution on Etsy, starting from her initial experiments with handmade products and print-on-demand items to her current success with digital products. Since joining my Scaling Society in May 2025, Ren has skyrocketed her sales from fewer than 200 to over 4,800, generating more than $14,500 in revenue. She shares her insights on how she found her niche in selling digital junk journal bundles, which have become her bestsellers, particularly around seasonal themes.

Ren explains the concept of junk journaling, likening it to a more organic and creative form of scrapbooking. We discuss her target audience, which includes both nostalgic older women and a surprising younger demographic interested in this artistic hobby. Ren also reveals the specifics of her product offerings, including the types of digital files she sells and how she structures her bundles for maximum appeal.

A significant portion of our conversation focuses on the integration of AI tools into Ren's business. She shares how she utilizes Claude, an AI tool, to streamline her processes, from generating product descriptions to analyzing sales data. Ren's innovative use of AI not only saves her time but also enhances her ability to make data-driven decisions for her shop.

As we wrap up, Ren offers invaluable tips for aspiring Etsy sellers, emphasizing the importance of investing in resources like Trendspotting and Scaling Society to accelerate growth. She highlights the power of bundling products and leveraging customer insights to inform her designs.

Join us for this cozy and enlightening conversation filled with practical advice, creative inspiration, and a glimpse into the world of digital entrepreneurship on Etsy. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale your shop, Ren's journey and insights will motivate you to take action and pursue your own entrepreneurial dreams.

EPISODE DETAILS:  

After a few years of trial and error– testing handmade and POD products on Etsy– Ren has finally found her place in digital products for scrapbooking enthusiasts. She went from 200-4,800 sales in 12 months and a healthy passive income that more than covers her daughter’s pre-school. Tune in to hear how she’s using Claude to work more efficiently, how Scaling Society has helped her growth, and her tips for YOUR success.

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

STUFF I MENTIONED: 

Scaling Society (all inclusive) use code 50SCALE for $50 off your first month: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/scaling-society

Trendspotting (weekly trend reports) use code KEEP20 to get your first month for $17: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/trendspotting

HOW I HELP ETSY SELLERS GROW:

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

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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/245

*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