Built Online Podcast - Episode 75: How to Make Your Etsy Shop Unique with Andreas Pistolelis
Release Date: November 13, 2024
Host: Cody McGuffey
Guest: Andreas Pistolelis
Sponsored by EverBee
Introduction
In Episode 75 of the Built Online Podcast, host Cody McGuffey welcomes Andreas Pistolelis, a multifaceted entrepreneur balancing his passion for music with a thriving e-commerce business. Andreas shares his journey from a musician struggling to fund his art to becoming a successful Etsy shop owner generating substantial revenue. This episode delves into the strategies Andreas employed to differentiate his Etsy shop, the challenges he faced, and the personal growth he experienced along the way.
Andreas' Background and Journey to Etsy Success
Starting Point and Early Struggles
Andreas begins by recounting his primary passion: music. Despite dedicating over a decade to his artistry, he found himself constrained by financial limitations. Working as a clerk at an optometry store, he realized he needed to generate capital to advance his music career.
“I'm a musician, so I've done many different things, but music has been like the focus of my life.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [00:00]
Transition to E-commerce
In his quest for funding, Andreas experimented with various ventures, including a Facebook ad agency for artists and freelancing on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. His breakthrough came when he discovered print-on-demand (POD) products on Etsy via TikTok, inspiring him to pivot entirely to this model.
“I saw a video by Cassie Johnson... I went all in. I listed 500 listings every single month from the start.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [02:00]
Mentorship and Growth
A pivotal moment in Andreas' journey was connecting with Cassie Johnson, whose mentorship provided him with foundational knowledge about running a successful Etsy shop. Additionally, insights from Steven Chin and Ryan Hogue further refined his strategies, enabling him to scale his revenue from $10k to over $100k annually.
“Cassie taught me the foundations, and Steven Chin’s launch and pricing strategies blew my mind.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [04:03]
Strategies for Making an Etsy Shop Unique
Analyzing Successful Listings
Andreas emphasizes the importance of identifying common elements among top-performing listings. By systematically analyzing successful shops using tools like EverBee’s Shop Analyzer, he was able to pinpoint what made certain products stand out.
“Top selling listings are always super simple... are they using the college fonts and the cursive fonts? These are doing super well.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [00:00]
Implementing the 80/20 Rule
He applies the 80/20 principle, focusing on the 20% of products that generate 80% of the sales. This approach allows him to concentrate resources on best-sellers while maintaining a diverse product range.
“20% of all of my efforts really sell... finding the right design and then just scaling that out.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [18:14]
Differentiation Over Duplication
Andreas stresses the importance of adding value rather than copying competitors. By blending different successful elements—such as combining various font styles—he creates unique offerings that stand out in the marketplace.
“Never, never copy somebody's shop designs. Learn from them and be different.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [23:20]
Targeting the Right Market
Operating from Sweden, Andreas strategically targets the U.S. market due to its simplicity compared to the complex and heavily regulated EU market. This decision has streamlined his operations and minimized legal hassles.
“The US is so much simpler to just sell to... EU has so many pitfalls.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [26:25]
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Early Struggles and Persistence
Andreas candidly discusses the hardships he faced during his first year, including low earnings and the intense effort required to maintain his listings. His unwavering commitment and willingness to iterate based on feedback were crucial to his eventual success.
“My first year was just super hard. I didn't earn that much, but I got the foundational knowledge.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [04:02]
Balancing Multiple Passions
Navigating between his music career and e-commerce business was a significant challenge. Andreas shares how building a successful Etsy shop was a means to support his true passion for music, demonstrating his ability to balance diverse interests.
“The main goal that I've had for my life is to be an artist, a music artist.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [12:12]
Adapting Strategies
Learning from industry experts and adapting their strategies was instrumental. Andreas revamped his Etsy shop based on insights from Steven Chin, leading to exponential revenue growth.
“After I heard Steven Chin’s strategies, I revamped my whole shop and started making over $30k monthly.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [04:02]
Personal Insights and Mental Health
Emotional Resilience and Coping Mechanisms
A profound part of the conversation revolves around Andreas' approach to handling emotions and mental health. Initially, he coped with stress by immersing himself in work, which eventually led to physical symptoms like alopecia. Recognizing the need to address his emotions directly, he has begun focusing on mental well-being alongside his business endeavors.
“I've suppressed emotions by just going ham with any type of work stuff.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [35:06]
Philosophical Reflections
Drawing inspiration from Tommy Robbins and Paulo Coelho’s "The Alchemist", Andreas reflects on the importance of recognizing one's true desires and the journey towards self-awareness. He acknowledges that his success in e-commerce is intertwined with his personal growth and quest for artistic fulfillment.
“The book 'The Alchemist' teaches that your treasure is right next to where you started. That’s how I feel about my journey.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [12:34]
Rapid Fire Questions
To provide a well-rounded view of Andreas, Cody engages him in a series of rapid-fire questions covering various aspects of his business philosophy and personal traits.
-
Favorite Business Book: “$100 Million Offers by Alex Ramosi. I’ve read it four times; it's insanely good for making offers.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [28:08] -
One Thing He Wishes He Knew Before Starting:
“I wish I knew that everything would work out even if I couldn’t see it clearly at the moment.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [28:42] -
Hours Worked Per Week:
“About 10 to 20 hours weekly. Most of my time is spent fulfilling orders and managing YouTube content.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [29:55] -
Worst Business Advice Received:
“That you need a lot of capital to make your business work. Knowledge and skill are more crucial.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [31:28] -
How Friends and Family Would Describe Him:
“I'd prioritize work over friends, but I’m very analytical, hustler-mentality, and compassionate to those close to me.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [33:28] -
Dealing with Emotions:
“I used to flee my emotions by working excessively, but now I’m learning to address them directly.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [35:06]
Conclusion
Integrating Creativity and Business
Andreas Pistolelis exemplifies how leveraging e-commerce platforms like Etsy can serve as a bridge to support one's artistic passions. His journey underscores the importance of strategic analysis, differentiation, and personal resilience in building a successful online business.
“The best thing about the YouTube stuff at the moment is that I get to help people... adding value to the marketplace.”
— Andreas Pistolelis [15:26]
Final Thoughts
Cody and Andreas conclude the episode by highlighting the symbiotic relationship between online businesses and personal growth. Andreas encourages listeners to pursue their passions while maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
“The beautiful thing about online business is that you can sprint and get your business to stand so you can pursue other journeys like music or personal growth.”
— Cody McGuffey [40:21]
Where to Find Andreas Pistolelis
- YouTube Channel: wtfamIevendoing
- Music Streaming Platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, and others under the name Andreas Pistolelli
For more insights and detailed strategies discussed in this episode, visit the show notes or check the podcast’s YouTube description.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, strategies, and personal insights shared by Andreas Pistolelis in Episode 75 of the Built Online Podcast. Whether you're an aspiring Etsy seller or an online entrepreneur seeking inspiration, Andreas' story offers valuable lessons on resilience, strategic planning, and the harmonious blend of business with personal passions.