AF304 - Additional Income Streams Amazon to Etsy w/ Fernando Sustaita
Are you tired of relying on just one platform for your e-commerce business? In this episode of The Amazon Files, Kristin Ostrander interviews Fernando Sustaita, an e-commerce veteran who has successfully transitioned from eBay and Amazon to Etsy and Shopify. The most valuable lesson from this podcast is the importance of adapting to changes in the e-commerce industry and trying different business models. Fernando shares his journey and experiences with retail arbitrage, print on demand, and selling digital files and printables on Etsy. He emphasizes the importance of knowing your customer and catering to their specific needs on each platform. Kristin and Fernando also discuss the value of Fernando's new Etsy course, which teaches people how to start and grow their Etsy store without making common mistakes that can lead to getting banned.
If you're looking to diversify your income streams and learn from an experienced e-commerce seller, this episode is a must-listen. Fernando's journey and insights will inspire you to try new things and adapt to changes in the industry. Don't miss out on the valuable lessons and practical tips shared in this episode of The Amazon Files.
Looking to diversify your income streams and add a new platform to your e-commerce business? Look no further than Etsy! In the latest episode of The Amazon Files podcast, Kristin Ostrander interviews Fernando Sustaita, a seasoned e-commerce seller with decades of experience on eBay, Amazon, and now Etsy. Fernando shares his journey from selling hot wheels on Facebook groups to becoming a "golden ticket person" at Amazon's print-on-demand facility, and ultimately finding success on Etsy selling digital files and printables.
One key takeaway from Fernando's journey is the importance of adapting to changes in the e-commerce industry and trying different business models. He emphasizes the need to cater to each platform's unique customer base and pricing strategy. For example, Etsy customers are willing to pay more for high-quality, unique handmade or vintage items, while Amazon customers prioritize fast shipping and convenience.
Fernando also offers valuable insights through his new course, No BS x Etsy, which covers everything from setting up your Etsy store correctly to using keywords effectively. The course includes 35 videos and 13 different sections, and is available for less than $150. Kristin highly recommends the course, noting that it offers practical guidance for making money on Etsy.
So if you're looking to add a new income stream to your e-commerce business, consider exploring the potential of Etsy and taking advantage of Fernando's expertise through his course and live workshops. Don't be afraid to try new business models and adapt to changes in the industry - it could lead to greater success and profitability for your business.
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"And who knows maybe you'll ditch Amazon and go straight to Etsy like Fernando did because it's maybe more enjoyable, more fulfilling if you're a creative type and you're not creating that sucks the life outta your soul you need to be creating if you're a creative and that's maybe so a place that you can be doing that as well." - Kristin Ostrander
TIME STAMPS:
Introduction [00:00:02]
Kristin introduces the episode and her guest, Fernando, and they discuss their history in e-commerce.
Adapting to changes in e-commerce [00:01:36]
Fernando talks about the importance of adapting to changes in the e-commerce industry and how Amazon has lasted for a long time but there is now an exodus.
Discovering profitability of selling Lego on Amazon [00:06:05]
Fernando talks about how he discovered the profitability of selling Lego on Amazon and how he learned to negotiate aisles and clearances.
Count Chocolate Cereal [00:07:29]
Fernando talks about his first attempt at groceries and how he made good money selling Count Chocolate cereal, blueberry, and frankenberry on Amazon.
Transition from Amazon to Print on Demand [00:10:05]
Fernando discusses his frustrations with Amazon, including lost shipments and damaged products, and how he transitioned to print on demand and custom products.
Partners or Customers? [00:13:02]
Fernando talks about his conversation with the vice president of production operation of finance at Amazon, who told him that sellers are not their concern, and how this led to his decision to leave Amazon and focus on Etsy.
Amazon's lack of care for sellers [00:15:28]
Kristin and Fernando discuss how Amazon doesn't care about its sellers, but it still pays the bills. They also talk about the importance of diversifying income streams.
Fernando's experience with Shopify [00:16:36]
Fernando talks about his experience with Shopify and how he uses it to create tangible assets that he can sell for profit.
Discovering the potential of Etsy [00:18:57]
Fernando talks about how he discovered the potential of Etsy for selling print-on-demand products, including digital files and printables. He also discusses the challenges of selling on Etsy and the importance of quality designs.
Adapting to Different E-commerce Platforms [00:23:12-00:25:42]
Fernando and Kristin discuss the different e-commerce platforms and their customers' expectations, including Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
Understanding the Etsy Customer [00:25:42-00:27:55]
Fernando explains the unique characteristics of the Etsy customer, including their preference for handmade and unique items, and their willingness to pay more for quality products.
Pricing Higher on Etsy [00:29:39-00:30:30]
Kristin and Fernando discuss the importance of pricing products higher on Etsy, as customers are willing to pay more for quality and unique items.
Importance of pricing [00:31:13]
Kristin discusses the importance of pricing and how customers relate price to quality and value.
Selling printables on Etsy [00:32:36]
Fernando talks about the profitability of selling printables on Etsy and how offering less for the same price can lead to more sales.
Changes in the Etsy marketplace [00:37:23]
Fernando discusses how the Etsy marketplace has changed over the years, specifically with the growth of printables and how the pandemic has affected the demand for them.
Expanding Etsy [00:38:21]
Fernando and Kristin discuss the growth of Etsy, including the rise of vintage items and educational printables.
Importance of Filling Out Listings [00:41:21]
Kristin emphasizes the importance of filling out every possible listing detail on Etsy, and Fernando shares the impact of doing so.
Value of Fernando's Course [00:43:56]
Kristin and Fernando discuss the value of Fernando's Etsy course, including step-by-step guidance on setting up an Etsy store and avoiding common mistakes.
Fernando's Etsy course [00:45:59]
Kristin recommends Fernando's Etsy course and live workshops, emphasizing the value and information provided.
Adapting to changes in e-commerce [00:47:51]
Fernando discusses the importance of staying up-to-date with changes in the e-commerce industry and how he is able to do so through coaching students and access to their stores.
Selling on multiple platforms [00:50:13]
Kristin and Fernando discuss the benefits of selling on multiple platforms, including Etsy and Amazon, and how wholesale bundlers can use their products on different platforms.
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