Podcast Episode 247: She Built a Greeting Card Empire on Etsy and Beyond- with Ellie Blake

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

ABOUT ELLIE:

Ellie is the founder of As Told By Ellie, a greeting card company for the moments the card aisle ignores. It started as a blog, because writing has always been her thing, and turned into a card line after one too many trips to the store looking for something that actually sounded like a real person. Five years later her cards are in shops around the world, covering everything from birthdays and new jobs to divorce, sobriety, and pet loss. The polite ones are the exception.

EPISODE SUMMARY:  

In this episode of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly inspiring Ellie, the founder of "As Told by Ellie," a unique greeting card company that has taken the market by storm. From her humble beginnings as a blogger sharing humorous stories from her bartending days, Ellie transformed her passion for writing into a thriving business that now boasts over 40,000 sales and monthly revenues ranging from $8,000 to $18,000.

We kicked off the conversation by discussing Ellie's journey into entrepreneurship, which began with a simple blog in 2021. She shared how her love for writing and a desire to create relatable, edgy greeting cards led her to launch her Etsy shop on April Fool's Day. With 518 listings and a growing presence in over 500 retail stores worldwide, Ellie has proven that with determination and creativity, success is achievable.

Ellie emphasized the importance of starting, even when the process feels messy and overwhelming. She encouraged listeners to embrace the learning curve and not shy away from failure, as it often leads to discovering what truly works. We delved into her unique approach to product development, where she combines her writing skills with insights from social media trends, particularly TikTok, to create cards that resonate with her audience.

One of the highlights of our discussion was Ellie's commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience through her packaging. She takes pride in creating a memorable unboxing experience, complete with thoughtful touches like affirmation cards and free envelope stickers. This attention to detail not only enhances customer satisfaction but also fosters brand loyalty.

We also explored Ellie's marketing strategies, including her use of paid ads on Meta and her efforts to build an email list. She shared valuable insights into the effectiveness of email automation, particularly for abandoned cart and welcome series, which have significantly contributed to her revenue.

As we wrapped up the episode, Ellie offered practical advice for aspiring Etsy sellers, emphasizing the importance of understanding your audience, experimenting with new ideas, and being open to pivoting when necessary. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and creativity in building a successful business.

Join us for this engaging conversation filled with inspiration, actionable tips, and a reminder that it's never too late to pursue your dreams. Whether you're just starting your Etsy journey or looking to scale your existing shop, Ellie's insights will motivate you to take that first step and keep pushing forward.

EPISODE DETAILS:  

Ellie Blake has built a greeting card business that's grown far beyond Etsy, with over 39,000 sales and a thriving presence on Shopify and Faire. In this conversation, she shares the strategies that fueled her growth, what she'd do differently if she were starting today, and practical tips to help you build a business that lasts. No matter what you sell, Ellie’s brilliant advice will inspire you and help you push through the messy middle and grow.

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

STUFF I MENTIONED: 

Join us in Scaling Society: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/scaling-society

Use code 50SCALE to get your first month for $97. 

FIND ELLIE:

Instagram @astoldby.ellie 

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/247

*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