I've been a loyal customer for several years to Horribell Originals and have gotten to know it's owner/creator Danielle Yanchuck pretty well over that time. When I decided to start publishing interviews on this blog, the first person I thought of was her. She has a great store, a very original style and hundreds of loyal customers that keep coming back! I can't think of anyone else that I would like to have as my first interview! So enjoy the read, and take a peek at her store, Horribell Originals on Etsy. She has some excellent items, especially for October! Check at the bottom of the article of a preview of some of her items, as well as a coupon code for 20% off!
S: What is your inspiration for your pieces?
Danielle: My designs are mostly inspired by vintage and new school tattoo art, kustom kulture, pin ups, aggressive music, and my unrelenting love for horror. I'm a big fan of chunky, attention-getting pieces that make a statement, and that's what you'll find in my shop.
S: What made you decide you wanted to open an Etsy shop?
Danielle: My Etsy shop emerged by pure accident... probably in the same manner many other etsy businesses evolve. I found some cool supplies that inspired some fun ideas, put them together and threw the line out to see if anyone would bite. When they did, I threw a mini party, and everything snowballed from there. A positive response was all the motivation I needed to grow from that point on.
S: What is your hottest selling item right now?
Danielle: Skeleton Goddess Cameos. I have them in probably a dozen different colors and they remain a shop staple.
S: What is an accessory that you can't live without?
Danielle: I don't think I've gone a day since age 12 without black eyeliner.
S: What inspired you to make your Boxer Rescue necklaces?
Danielle: I started making the "Luv for Nubs" necklaces in an effort to give something back to the breed that has brought me so much happiness. I've had an obsession with boxers since I was a little girl, despite growing up with Labs, and ever since my husband and I got our first back in 2005, I've never turned back. We lost our beloved Tuff last Christmas, and have since brought a new wiggly, kissy, smoosh-face into our lives, but Tuff definitely set the standard. The breed has completely and irrevocably stolen my heart.
All profits from my "Luv for Nubs" necklaces are donated to Adopt A Boxer Rescue, a non-profit, all-volunteer rescue that operates throughout the northeast United States. You can visit their website at http://www.adoptaboxerrescue.com/.
S: What tricks or tips do you give fellow Etsy shop owners to helping get their store to the level of popularity that you store has reached?
Danielle: Advertise Advertise Advertise. I don't do nearly as much as I should, but every little bit helps. Etsy has exploded in the last year and honestly, the moment you list an item it gets buried under 100 other items. If you don't advertise your product, no one will know it exists, period.
Secondly, be kind to your customers. Excellent customer service is a necessity for any business to succeed and etsy is no exception. If you treat your shoppers poorly or sit on their purchase for 2 weeks before you ship it, don't expect any repeat business.
Lastly, don't sell crap. I shouldn't have to elaborate here, but if your product is going to fall apart the second your buyer touches it (assuming it's meant to be touched), you're just setting yourself up for failure.
I would like to thank Danielle for taking the time to do this interview with me, as well as ask you all to go to her shop and check out all of the awesome items she has listed in her shop!
and here's a coupon code for 20% off your purchase at Horribell Originals!
Some of the items you may find:
