From Homeschooling Mom To Business Owner: How To Be Successful On Etsy When Life Is Full & Busy [Side Hustle Series]

Hi! Introduce yourself; tell us a little bit about you as a person!

My blog actually started out with the description “A heart at home in the country.” That’s me. I love (almost) everything about rural life.

But I’m more than a mompreneur: I’m a happily married Christian homemaker and homeschooler. My husband and I have been together 19 years this year! (That seems so hard to believe.) We have four daughters that keep life interesting… and covered in glitter.

Homeschooling keeps me pretty busy through the day, but I wouldn’t trade that time with my girls for anything!

On my blog I mention that I work at bedtime when the house is (as) quiet (as it ever gets). And that’s true. Illustrating, lettering, designing, and writing are my outlet at the end of the day. I need something creative to reset my mind, and actually never intended to start a business. I was just winding down at the end of the day while my husband was away for work. (Pipeline life meant a lot of nights on my own with the kids.)

I enjoy all things creative. Besides designing digital images, I love to sew and craft. Photography is one of my favorite hobbies, but it can be hard to find the time to slip out and pursue that one at this stage of our life.

My blog is basically a behind-the-scenes look at the files I sell on Etsy. Now that you know a little about me, you’ll see why there are so many homeschooler files. So many Bible verses. So many welder’s wife files.

I design and write for other mamas like myself.

What is your business and is it a side hustle or your full-time gig?

My business is primarily an Etsy shop. I letter and illustrate cut files (like you would use for a Cricut or Silhouette).

I’ve taken those designs or variations of them, and created a collection of t-shirts and fabric.

Since my husband is our main provider, anything I do, I suppose, is considered a side hustle. 

My main priority right now is raising and educating our daughters, so I tend to gear my business toward passive income (via Etsy, tees, fabric, and affiliate marketing on my blog).

You can see more of what I do here, at White Oak Originals. 

What made you start working on this business in the first place?

I’m an introvert. I can’t help it! I love people, but at the end of the day, my brain needs “me time” to slow down.

When my husband would leave for work, he would be gone for 10 days, then home for 4. (He has since changed jobs, and is now home every evening.)

So, when I would finally get the girls to bed, I would curl up with my clipboard and draw. One of my Christmas gifts was a lettering book, so I would work on it as well, and eventually just decided to do it “my way,” ha!

At that time, I was also the craft leader for our church’s Vacation Bible School. I found that it was difficult to find the designs I was looking for (to use on shirts, coloring pages, etc.). That’s why some of my Bible designs were created.

I had been making designs for my girls for a while. They were basic things like “Daddy’s girl” or an outline of their favorite animal.

But, outside of those shirts or VBS, I hadn’t shared too many of my designs. Eventually, I started showing a few friends my work here and there via private message. For example, I sent a horse design to a friend that has horses. She gave her approval. The same was true for other friends and the designs I had sent them.

One asked if I could put a design on a tee for her. So, I did. She shared it, and started spreading the word, as did other friends. And, it just took off from there!

What made you choose this business over other options? What is your favorite aspect of this job you’ve made for yourself?

I chose this business because it gives me a creative outlet, and it’s an amazing source of passive income. I think that combination is my favorite aspect.

I can do something I love to do, and get paid to do it by simply uploading my work online.

I don’t have the stress of meeting a deadline, or the expense of buying supplies. And it doesn’t take time away from my family.

What is your least favorite thing about your business?

That’s a hard question! I guess my least favorite is the initial startup. I’ve been doing this for a little over 2 years now, and am still relatively unknown online, it seems.

My Etsy shop has been amazing.

But gaining visibility and traction has been a challenge for me. I know it takes time and effort, but I just don’t always have the time to pour into it.

How long did you have to work at it before you started to see an appreciable income from it (not necessarily a full-time job level income, but enough to make a noticeable difference in your monthly budget)?

It took a few months on Etsy to start to hear “cha-ching” on my phone at any frequency. I had to build my collection and fill my shop.

I remember reading that you need X many items to be noticed. Then, after you get X many more, you’ll really notice a difference. (I can’t remember the numbers; I’m sorry!)

There may be some truth to that. I now have over 500 designs in my shop, and the sales are much more frequent than a year or so ago.

But to give you an honest answer, I would have to say the first year was a trial run. I chased my tail and purchased items to use for my business that I could’ve done without (in hindsight).

So, I would say it took a year to get in gear.

What would you say someone looking to get started in this business can expect to need upfront, as far as monetary and time investments, in order to or before they see results (income)?

As far as monetary investments for selling digital products, you won’t need a lot! I’m old school; I draw my designs by hand, then scan them into my computer. From there, I clean them up in Photoshop, and convert them in Inkscape.

I’ve got a post all about what you’d need to get started with an Etsy shop like mine. To name a few, you’ll need your basic drawing supplies, a computer, and some software.

Time-wise, it’s all in how quickly you want to build up. I’ve been pretty relaxed about my pace, trying to make one deliberate step at a time.

Do you find it easy to get out of bed every day and keep pushing for this to become something bigger, or do you struggle to “keep the dream alive?”

I LOVE this! I find it super easy to want to sneak away and finish a design or upload a file. I’ll get an idea for a blog post, and scramble to grab a pen so I don’t forget it.

So, I truly do love staying up to work on a project, or getting up early to sneak in a little work before the girls get out of bed.

What is your best advice for someone interested in getting started in a similar business? What would you recommend (or caution) as they start up and really begin to get their head in the business game?

I jumped in with both feet and no plan. I don’t recommend that.

HOWEVER: If an opportunity arises, and you feel called to take it, don’t be afraid to jump in!

If something scares you, take a deep breath, read about it, and push forward. Don’t be afraid to try.

That being said, I wish I had known then what I know now. Take a few minutes and determine what your market is. What need do they have that you can fill? How will you make it happen and market it so they can find it?

For me: my market is crafters, other moms/mompreneurs, or teachers that need a cut file or printable.

For those that don’t craft, but want a unique gift, I have tee shirts.

And my fabric is something different like I was searching for when quilting.

We all have ups and downs, and we all want big things in life. What is your big dream for this business?

If we’re dreaming big here, my ultimate dream would be to retire my husband.

I would love to turn designing into a full-time career (especially in the home decor or fabric market).

If my income would replace my husband’s job, that would be amazing.

And who knows? Maybe someday that could happen.

What is your big dream for your own life – what are you using this extra income to work towards? What would (or does) life look like when you don’t want anything more and are living your best days?

Honestly, I’m content. I feel like I’m very blessed, and really can’t complain. Surrounded by my family and our needs are met, I feel that we’re already living our best days.

If I had an unlimited shopping spree as far as life goes, it would be the big dream I mentioned for my business. Making a living doing something I love, my husband being home and for us to have the time and financial freedom to pursue our hobbies and help others. (We love to take day trips, take pictures, go kayaking, etc.)

Mainly, I want to enjoy as much time as I can with my family.

I also strive to conduct my business in line with my convictions, and pray that I’ll follow God’s leading in it. Part of my business plan includes helping others as much as possible.

So, if I do nothing more than clear my head at the end of the day so my family gets the happiest me, and I help others with my income, then I believe I’m successful.