Podcast Summary

Podcast: How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy

Episode: 219 – How to Think Like A Full Time Etsy Seller
Host: Lizzie Smiley
Guest: Preston Cox
Release Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, host Lizzie Smiley welcomes back Preston Cox, a thriving full-time Etsy seller, entrepreneur, and local business enthusiast. With over 1,500 Etsy sales and a $3,000+ per month average, Preston has transitioned from juggling multiple jobs to focusing solely on his Etsy businesses. Drawing on his journey from side hustles and failed products to full-time success, Preston and Lizzie dive deep into the mindset and practical habits needed to operate an Etsy shop like a true business.

Listeners can expect a blend of relatable anecdotes, actionable advice, and candid reflections on belief, identity, consistency, and business growth. Key takeaways center on mindset shifts, scheduling, perseverance, and doubling down on one’s strengths—dispelling the “little hobby” narrative that sometimes surrounds online selling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolution of an Etsy Seller (02:26 – 10:42)

• Early Days and Mindset Shifts:

  • Preston started his journey in November 2021 as Lizzie’s first coaching client, struggling with a “sweary wall art” Etsy shop.
  • Iteration and patience were essential—Preston shifted from products that didn’t work to handmade items that gained traction.
  • Quote:
    "I was like, I'm gonna slow burn this. And you worked three jobs and ran the Etsy."
    — Lizzie (04:32)

• Hobbies vs. Businesses:

  • Preston reflects on not initially seeing Etsy as a full-time path, assuming its potential was limited to supplemental income.
  • Exposure to success stories on the podcast shifted his belief: “Okay, this could be a full-time job if I want it to be.” (10:09–10:40)

2. Overcoming Perceptions & Claiming Your Professional Identity (10:42 – 16:55)

• Dealing with Skepticism:

  • Both Lizzie and Preston discuss the sometimes condescending attitudes toward online selling (the "little Etsy business" smirk).
  • Quote:
    "People want to be kind of patronizing about… you know, I'm like, oh, I don't know, it's just making more than my husband's full time job."
    — Lizzie (10:45)

• Reframing Identity:

  • Preston began owning his role as a “manufacturer” rather than “just an Etsy seller”, which boosted his confidence.
  • Embracing the value of his work combats internalized embarrassment, especially in tight-knit, rural, “hard-working” communities.

• Cultural Differences:

  • Lizzie notes suburban and urban settings may view e-commerce with more legitimacy, whereas in small towns, hands-on jobs earn more respect (15:39).

3. The Full-Time Etsy Seller Mindset (20:19 – 36:54)

a. Dedicated Work Time

• Scheduling:

  • A full-time seller treats business tasks as non-negotiable—work times are scheduled, not optional.
  • Quote:
    "It's like feeding your pet. It's a non-negotiable. You're gonna do it every day."
    — Lizzie (20:16)

• Balancing Making vs. Improving:

  • It’s easy to get busy fulfilling orders and neglect creating new listings; intentional time must be reserved for growth.

b. Reasonable Expectations & Emotional Resilience

• Don’t expect instant riches; maintain a calm, steady approach.
• Prepare for the inevitable bumps, like slow seasons—e.g., January is always slow after the holidays. Use these times for creativity and planning.
• Quote:
  "If you don't, it's going to hit you like a Mack truck. But if you do go into it this way, if you face some issues, you'll have the capacity for it…" — Lizzie (24:41)

c. Taking Your Business Seriously

• Focus on the value that even “extra” Etsy income brings—may cover mortgage, loans, trips, or fun money.
• Shift language from “my little hobby” to recognizing the genuine impact on household finances.

d. Investing in Yourself & Your Business

• Earnings are reinvested—into tools, courses, mentoring, or more advanced machines.
• Research and tested small before making big purchases.
• Quote:
  "There's a difference between purchasing something and investing in something. And my full-time mind now: I'm making investments in my business, not just purchases."
  — Preston (50:15–51:58)

e. Networking & Visibility

• Talk about your business openly; mentioning what you do leads to more business and community.
• Don’t dismiss opportunities by being shy or secretive about your shop.

f. Evaluating Strengths, Weaknesses, and Delegating

• Know your limitations; delegate or outsource areas outside your zone of genius (e.g., hiring an accountant).

g. Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

• Growth comes from stretching; push yourself to try new products, strategies, and even public opportunities (like podcast appearances).

4. Practical Habits of Full-Time Etsy Sellers (43:42 – 59:01)

a. Consistent Effort

• Show up regularly, stick with it, and put in the reps—success is unsexy but reliable for those who are consistent.
• Iteration of listings and business structure is key.

b. Data-driven Decision Making

• Create what the market wants, not just what you’re passionate about. Love the process, but don’t make products just for yourself.
• Quote:
  "I'm not the everyman in this situation, I gotta design what is marketable, what's trendable, and what people are actually gonna buy."
  — Preston (46:09)

c. Setting Reasonable, Long-term Goals

• Understand achievable milestones over different timeframes—what’s feasible in six months vs. five years.

d. Calculating Investments in Tools, Coaching, and Community

• Budget for new equipment and mentoring—don’t always buy the cheapest, but don’t overspend early.

e. Quarterly Assessments & Strategic Planning

• Regularly review what’s working, what isn’t, and where to improve or pivot.
• Constantly look to streamline, automate, and iterate.

f. Doubling Down on What Works

• Once a profitable, sustainable lane emerges, focus and scale it—don’t scatter efforts on distractions.
• Learn to say no to requests/products that move you off course.
• Quote:
  "If you find your lane, double down on that lane. Invest in it and try not to veer too far off of it."
  — Preston (56:06)

g. Testing Widely, Then Focusing (59:01–61:58)

• Early stages are for experimentation; over time, double down on the products or strategies that deliver results, then consider testing again when ready for new expansion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mindset:
  "Believe and know from the discussions happening on this podcast that there are a lot of full time Etsy sellers. It's a, it is a total thing."
  — Lizzie (10:42)

• On Confidence:
  "I'm a manufacturer now who just happens to sell on Etsy… I work in apparel manufacturing. And that's part, I mean, that's kind of true, I guess, but it's basically what I'm doing and it makes me feel more confident. I pop a little bit more…"
  — Preston (12:10)

• On Consistency & Growth:
  "It's so unsexy. It's so put in the reps. Like, it's crazy."
  — Lizzie (08:18)

• On Saying No & Focus:
  "Would a full time business do this? If the answer is no, I don't do that thing."
  — Preston (55:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Preston’s background & journey: 02:26 – 10:42
• Reframing Etsy as a real job / confronting stereotypes: 10:42 – 16:55
• Mindset principles of a full-time seller: 20:19 – 36:54
• Tools, investment & reinvesting profits: 32:11 – 36:54
• Consistency & sticking with it: 43:42 – 46:09
• Market-driven creation: 46:09 – 48:38
• Doubling down on strengths / learning to say no: 55:10 – 59:01
• Guidance for beginners: Test, then focus: 59:01 – 62:00

Final Takeaways

• Mindset is foundational: treat your shop as a business, not a hobby, and don’t be swayed by other people’s assumptions.
• Consistency, grit, and data-driven iteration—which sometimes means stretching beyond your comfort zone—are what separate thriving full-time sellers from hobbyists.
• Invest in yourself and your business wisely, doubling down on what works and regularly assessing for improvement.
• Have pride in your work, network naturally, and never underestimate the value of what you bring to your customers and your household.

For further support and details on resources/coaching referenced, check the show notes or visit howtosellyourstuff.com.