Crickets to Cha-Chings Episode 197: $70,000 in Mockup Sales with Cassie Johnson

In Episode 197 of Crickets to Cha-Chings, hosted by Julie Berninger from Gold City Ventures, listeners are introduced to Cassie Johnson, a seasoned Etsy seller and software entrepreneur. This episode delves deep into Cassie's remarkable journey on Etsy, her innovative approach to mockup sales, and the development of her groundbreaking tool, Simply Listed.

1. Cassie’s Journey to Etsy Success

Cassie Johnson's entry into the Etsy marketplace is both relatable and inspiring. In early 2020, faced with an unexpected job layoff, Cassie sought a scalable side hustle to generate additional income. Her initial experiments with various crafts, such as making concrete candles and dipping mugs in nail polish, proved unfeasible for scaling and shipping.

“It wasn’t until I saw a video about print on demand where you could just make a design and post it for sale and it didn’t get printed until the customer actually ordered it, really resonated with me” (00:28).

Embracing the print-on-demand model, Cassie launched her Etsy shop the very next day. Her efforts paid off swiftly, securing her first sale from her mother-in-law and a second from a stranger within the same day. This early success ignited her passion, leading to over four and a half years of dedicated growth on Etsy.

2. Understanding Mockups and Their Importance

A significant portion of Cassie's success story revolves around effective mockup utilization. Mockups are realistic representations of products with designs overlaid, essential for presenting items attractively on platforms like Etsy.

Cassie explains the challenges with standard print-on-demand mockups provided by services like Printify, which often lack the aesthetic appeal necessary for Etsy’s discerning audience.

“They’re not the nicest looking, they’re not very trendy, they're just not quite what sells on Etsy” (03:37).

To overcome this, Cassie emphasizes the importance of purchasing high-quality mockup templates from Etsy. These templates allow sellers to place their unique designs onto blank product images using tools like Canva, resulting in visually appealing listings that stand out.

3. Launching the Mockup Store: $70,000 in Sales

Capitalizing on her expertise, Cassie ventured into creating and selling her own mockup templates. By personally modeling and photographing blank apparel items—primarily shirts and sweatshirts—from suppliers like JiffyShirts.com, she crafted authentic and attractive mockups for other Etsy sellers.

“We’ve sold about $70,000 in our mockup store since starting it like two years ago” (06:03).

This venture not only diversified her income streams but also provided other entrepreneurs with the tools they needed to enhance their product listings effortlessly. Cassie attributes her success to consistent quality and the passive nature of the mockup store, which requires minimal customer service and ongoing management.

4. Introducing Simply Listed: Revolutionizing Mockup Creation

Recognizing the tedious nature of creating mockups, Cassie developed Simply Listed, an automation software designed to streamline the mockup creation process for Etsy sellers. This tool significantly reduces the time and effort required to produce high-quality mockups, enabling sellers to list more products efficiently.

Cassie elaborates on the software’s functionality:

“Just replace that little place card for where the design's going to be with your design, we save it, we upload it to your Etsy store, and so you can, in one click, make all of your mockups and then click once again and publish it to Etsy” (09:13).

By integrating seamlessly with Printify, Simply Listed allows users to create thousands of mockups in mere minutes. The software automates design placement, adjusting opacity, cropping images, and preparing listing videos—all with minimal manual intervention.

5. Future Enhancements and Expansion Plans

Looking ahead, Cassie plans to expand Simply Listed’s capabilities beyond Printify. Upcoming features will include compatibility with other print providers like Printful and Gelato, catering to digital downloads and printable items. This expansion will broaden the tool’s applicability, making it indispensable for a wider range of Etsy sellers.

“We are already about halfway done with it. So by the time you watch this, it might even be live” (12:25).

Cassie also highlights the potential for integration with other platforms such as Shopify and TikTok, ensuring that Simply Listed remains versatile and adaptable to various e-commerce ecosystems.

6. Insights on Creativity and Entrepreneurial Mindset

Beyond the technical aspects of running an Etsy shop, Cassie shares valuable insights on fostering creativity and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset. Drawing from her upbringing in a household immersed in multi-level marketing and entrepreneurial ventures, she underscores the importance of self-belief and consistent effort.

“If you just worked towards your goal a little bit every day, starting January 1st to the end of the year, just a tiny step towards whatever your goal is for the entire year, you would be a completely different person at the end of those 365 days” (24:48).

Cassie advocates for combining existing ideas to spark creativity, challenging the notion that one must originate entirely new concepts. She recommends reading The Laws of Creativity by Joey Capone, emphasizing that creativity often lies in the fusion of diverse elements rather than solitary invention.

7. Personal Aspirations and Encouragement to Listeners

Concluding the episode, Cassie reveals her aspiration to become a best-selling author, aiming to empower others to pursue their dreams with unwavering optimism and practical steps. She encourages listeners to embrace Etsy as a viable platform, dispelling misconceptions about saturation and emphasizing the endless opportunities within diverse niches.

“If someone doesn’t have what you want, then don’t listen to what they have to say” (25:44).

Cassie’s heartfelt advice serves as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs, motivating them to leverage platforms like Etsy to achieve financial independence and personal fulfillment.

8. How to Connect with Cassie and Access Simply Listed

For those interested in exploring Cassie’s resources and tools, she directs listeners to her YouTube channel, website, and specifically to Simply Listed at simplylisted.io. Julie also mentions a special 14-day free trial code available in the episode’s description, inviting listeners to experience the software firsthand.

Key Takeaways

• Start with Passion and Adaptability: Cassie’s shift to print-on-demand after a job layoff illustrates the importance of adaptability and leveraging emerging trends to build a successful business.

• Quality Mockups are Crucial: High-quality, authentic mockups significantly enhance product listings, making them more appealing to potential buyers.

• Automation Saves Time: Tools like Simply Listed can drastically reduce the time required for mockup creation, allowing sellers to focus on scaling their businesses.

• Creativity Through Combination: Creativity often emerges from combining existing ideas in novel ways, making it accessible to everyone, not just those who consider themselves inherently creative.

• Mindset Matters: Believing in one’s ability to achieve goals and taking consistent, incremental steps can lead to substantial personal and professional growth.

Cassie Johnson’s story is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, creativity, and strategic innovation in the world of online entrepreneurship. Her insights not only provide a roadmap for Etsy sellers but also inspire a broader audience to pursue their aspirations with confidence and determination.