Etsy Business Profile: Cadeaux de Catherine

Whether you're a new business or an established one, everyone can learn fom the experiences of others. This installment of our Etsy Business Profile isn't exactly canine-related, but informative nonetheless. Even though none of my German shepherds would fit into one of Cahtherine's pet beds (except maybe when they're eight weeks old), I know they'd jump into one in a heartbeat if it was only gigantic size!

1. Name: Catherine Walker

2. Etsy Store: Cadeaux de Catherine (cadeauxdecatherine.etsy.com)

3. Year Founded: 2010

4. Is this your first online store? Yes

5. I decided to open an Etsy store because....Nearly four years ago I moved from the UK to France where my parents had finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a chateau that they had found on the verge of collapse, with the vision of restoring it to the grand building it had once been. It was a difficult transition for me, particularly at a time when I wasn’t sure which career I wanted to pursue. I’d always been creative and all I knew was that I wanted to have a job that I loved. One afternoon I decided to have a root around in our cellar which was still full of stuff from when we had bought the place. My cat Archie decided to tag along and I soon caught sight of, through all the discarded farming equipment, a crate as old as the 1920s. Intrigued I pulled it out and had a look, wiping away the dust to reveal the old writing down the side. Already my imagination was conjuring up ideas of what I could do with such an item once it had had a good clean, but Archie had other ideas. He had jumped inside and curled up. And that was the beginning.

6. I would describe my store as....unique as your pet. Entirely authentic and sourced in southwest France, my pet beds are crafted from vintage crates, baskets and trugs, some as old as the early 1900s. As all owners will know, cats each have individual characters but I think that the majority of commercial pet baskets do not reflect this. Surely our four legged best friends deserve something a little more special to call home? Pet baskets are also, ultimately, another piece of furniture in our homes. They should enhance a room, look wonderful.

7. The biggest surprise in opening my store has been...just how popular my cat beds were. Almost instantly they were inundated with views. I was so happy people appreciated my work.

8. Typical number of hours spent per week on my store: I’m not sure but certainly many! I love creating. If I’m not restoring the crates or working with the fabrics, I’m taking the photographs which can be tricky when you’re working with animals.

9. My most marked characteristic is...My love for animals, especially my cats, all of which were once strays or kittens of strays that I have taken under my wing. I wouldn’t do what I do if it wasn’t for them.

10. In my spare time I...love writing. As a child I was always to be found with a book and now an adult I have sought to create such adventurous or heartfelt worlds of my own with characters whose footsteps readers hopefully follow with a need to stick with them to the end. Whether it is a comedy or a story with a more serious subplot, I love creating with words.

11. Length of time before listing my first item and making my first sale: My first cat bed sold within four days of being online. Sales aren’t always as regular but I’m thrilled every time one of my cat beds is destined to be shipped across the world.

12. Biggest business mistake I learned the hard way was...Initially I completely underestimated the shipping costs. They are the biggest hurdle I have to overcome, particularly when so many of my customers are international.

13. I market my store by...having a Twitter and Facebook page, yet it can be so hard to get your name known. However I always hold my target audience in mind.

14. I wish I knew how to...Publicize my shop further.

15. If I could change one thing about myself it would be...I find it hard to take a risk.

16. Best part of having an Etsy store: I enjoy making a living from what I love and being my own boss. Only a year ago I would never have thought it possible but I have sold cat beds all over the world and hopefully will continue to do so.

17. Worst part of having an Etsy store: It can be demoralizing when traffic to my store is low.

18. The best piece of advice I can share on having a successful Etsy store is...Take great pictures. They’re so important when selling online.

19. Last item I bought on Etsy was...I recently bought a great pair of vintage leather boots. They keep my toes warm when I’m scouring the French countryside for more crates and trugs.

20. Product I chose to feature from my store is an authentic French trug. I chose it because... This authentic French trug makes an adorable cat bed. It’s unique, chic and this little piece of history would look great in any home. In this bed, your cat will always snooze à la mode.

Thanks Catherine for letting us learn from your experiences!