Podcast Episode 248: How Digital Products Added $2K/Month to His Handmade Etsy Shop -with Preston Cox

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

ABOUT PRESTON:

Preston runs a thriving one-man laser engraving and embroidery business from the back room of his home in small-town rural Texas. After several years of experimenting and evolving on Etsy, he found his niche in 2024 and transformed his side hustle into a full-time e-commerce business specializing in DIY leather patches, embroidered patches, and custom products.

Alongside his online business, Preston has built a strong presence in his local community by helping small businesses create branded apparel and promotional merchandise.

In January 2026, Preston and his wife, Sarah, expanded the business by adding more than 1,000 ready-to-use laser engraving files to his Etsy shop. This new digital division quickly accelerated sales and created a profitable passive-income stream that complements his existing physical-product business.

Now, Preston is entering the next chapter of his entrepreneurial journey and is preparing to scale once again. 

EPISODE SUMMARY:  

In this exciting episode of "How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy," I am thrilled to welcome back my dear friend and longtime collaborator, Preston. Our conversation dives deep into Preston's remarkable journey as an Etsy seller, highlighting his evolution from a struggling entrepreneur to a thriving business owner with nearly 7,700 sales in his laser engraving and embroidery shop.

We kick off the episode by reminiscing about our first interactions back in 2021 when Preston was one of my very first students. He shares his initial struggles with his Etsy shop, which focused on Swery printables, and how it took him several years to find his niche. By 2024, Preston finally hit his stride, transforming his side hustle into a full-time e-commerce business specializing in DIY leather patches and custom products.

Preston's story is a testament to perseverance, as he emphasizes the importance of patience and healthy expectations in building a successful business. We discuss the explosive growth he experienced after adding over 1,000 digital laser engraving files to his Etsy shop, which not only accelerated his sales but also created a profitable passive income stream. He candidly shares how this strategic move has allowed him to maintain a steady income while focusing on his physical products.

Throughout our chat, we explore the dynamics of running a one-man operation, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the joy of being present for his kids. Preston also opens up about the local community impact of his business, as he helps small businesses create branded apparel and promotional merchandise.

As we delve into the nitty-gritty of his success, Preston reveals the strategies that have worked for him, including the importance of listing volume and how it affects Etsy's algorithm. He shares insights on pricing his digital products and the creative processes behind his designs, including the use of AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline his workflow.

We also touch on the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, discussing the feelings of boredom and imposter syndrome that can arise as one achieves success. Preston reflects on the need for continuous growth and the importance of finding joy in the creative process, even when the business becomes routine.

As we wrap up the episode, we look ahead to the future, discussing Preston's plans for scaling his business further, exploring new avenues like print-on-demand, and the potential of building an email list for a membership model. This episode is packed with valuable insights, inspiration, and practical advice for anyone looking to launch, grow, or pivot their Etsy shop.

Join us for this engaging conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and a shared passion for entrepreneurship. Whether you're a seasoned seller or just starting out, there's something here for everyone. So, grab a seat at our virtual table, and let's dive into the world of Etsy together!

EPISODE DETAILS:  

Preston was one of my very first Etsy students back in 2021—and has since grown his laser engraving shop enough to replace the income from FOUR jobs! This spring, he and his wife challenged themselves to add 1,000 digital laser files to their already successful handmade shop, and the result was an additional $2K/month in passive income. Tune in to hear how they did it and why adding a digital component to your existing Etsy business could be an incredible way to scale without creating more physical work. 

**“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 PRESTON:

Website - http://277creative.com/

Instagram - @277creative

PRESTON’S PREVIOUS EPISODES:

Ep 156: What happens if you don’t give up on Etsy? 

https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/156 

Ep 164: Lizzie's in the Etsy Coach Hot Seat

https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/164 

Ep 183: Free, Underrated Local Resources That Can Help You Grow Your Business

https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/183 

Ep 198: From Hobby Shop to Full Time Handmade Etsy Seller

https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/198  

Ep 216: What We Wish We Knew About Etsy—Before We Ever Opened Our Shops

https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/216 

Ep 219: How to Think Like A Full Time Etsy Seller 

How to Think Like A Full Time Etsy Seller – with Preston Cox 

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/248

*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