The Shop Files

for shop owners, makers, and etsy sellers

Build a Profitable Shop

By Taking the Guesswork Out of Retail

My goal? To help you figure out the retail space:

Earn new + loyal customers with creative marketing ideas

Be profitable by understanding the financials behind the business

Increase trust and sales with social media strategies that don’t feel like a chore

Create a sustainable business by providing irresistible value to your audience

What's the next step you need to build your profitable shop?

How to Use Social Media for Online Shops

the shop files - social media growth for online shops etsy

Retail 101 Tips for Online Shop Owners + Etsy Sellers

Etsy seller tips retail 101 basics for onine shop owners - the shop files

Customer Service for Online Shops

Customer Service for Online Shops - The Shop Files

A Retail Buyer for over 8 years... giving away all the secrets

At The Shop Files, I’m here to help makers + shop owners (like you!) learn how to improve your shop so you can focus on your dream: creating + curating products to grow your shop from a simple vision into a profitable business you love.

I’m here to support you with actionable resources for your shop – you shouldn’t have to go it all alone or play the guessing game to figure it out. With over 8 years of retail experience in buying and planning roles, I want to help you be successful and am spilling the secrets of a buyer to help you transform your business. Join The Shop Squad on Facebook or hop over here to say hello!

  • anyone else totally fried this week?? (get it, get it... fried-ayy 🙄) I'm planning a relaxing friday night to get ready for a quick AM workout before my badgers play tomorrow! 🏈 what are you all up to this weekend?! #itstheweekend #fridayvibes
  • if you're not a local brick & mortar shop (like the wonderful @shoppenelopes in chicago), customers always have that extra shipping fee dangling in front of them. which most of us get - its takes money to ship items and we'll pay to get the goods we love. but I think we can all agree we'd rather just spend a little more on actual items instead of spend money on shipping... and that trade off is part of the reason 'free shipping' offers convert so well. Customers WANT them. They're fine paying full price for your work itself - they just hate shelling out the extra bucks to ship. • So before you start all your holiday planning 25% discounts and BOGO offers, today we're talking 7 ways to use free shipping offers to increase sales instead (which that extra profit $$ beyond your typical order can often offset your shipping cost) <link in bio> • what are your thoughts on offering free shipping? I'd love to know!
  • oops! who's with me?? • being your own boss or side hustling is never all glamour and beautiful instagram posts. it's work, and a lot of it. • sometimes it can feel everyone's sitting in beautiful studios, having fun, watching the sales roll in; but the reality is they have their head down + they're working towards a goal. • so pick your goal for the month, join #theshopsquad on facebook if you need some accountability or just want extra friendly, but real, advice and let's do the braless work we were made to do 💪🏻😂
  • Looking for an easy way to step up your Insta-game? Steal a styling tip from the pros and take product shots in multiples - especially in odd numbers or groups of three like @tierrasolstudio does here! Why do we find odd numbers so appealing? They force our eyeballz to move around which creates visual interest. 👀 More visual interest >> more product interest! • Simple ideas to try: stack em up or spread em out, show the same colors in repetition or a trio of color options like shown here. • Show off your next pic using the #theshopsquad! 👇🏻 What's your favorite way to style your products?
  • make that two coffees. 😩😴 • tag a girl boss you'd love to share one with! (your call on whether its coffee or wine 😉) #makersmonday #theshopsquad
  • Here's a simple recipe for online shop success: Start narrow and grow wide. Become known for a "thing". • Because the truth is, if you don’t know what separates your shop from the competition, then your customers probably can’t tell the difference either — and that could be the difference between your customer thinking "I'll look around to see who has xyz" to "oh, shopA will absolutely have what I'm looking for" • Emily from @finelifeco does such an amazing job curating her shop, when looking for simple earthy minimalism, I know I'll always find it there. • What's your "one thing"? Leave a comment below! 👇🏻 #theshopsquad
  • Whaaa you say? yeah, turns out "I really wanna lose 3 pounds" was a SMART goal. • Specific: Very. Three is an oddly specific amount. Measurable: She can weigh herself or have her cool mom help. Attainable: She really gave it her all with those Kälteen bars. Realistic: Before she had to shop at Sears she fit into one of these sizes: 1-3-5 Time-Bound: By the Spring Fling, duh. • Whether you've been hanging out awhile or you're new here, we've been talking a lot about setting small monthly goals. Something you can really get behind and support because as we enter the busy holiday season, you do not have the time to focus on all.the.things. • And really give it the old Regina George special... no wishy washy goals of "I really want more Instagram followers" or "I wish I had more consistent sales" • I want them Regina George smart! Although I'll totally let it slide if you start with "I really wanna..." because well, it's mean girls.🙅🏼🙆🏼👸🏼 So let's hear it below! 1) What's your Regina George SMART goal?! 2) Tag a biz friend to hold you accountable or just who loves themselves some mean girls. 💁🏼 #booyouwhore 3) Check out the latest post on the blog! All about setting the right traffic goals for *your* shop to be profitable 💪🏻💰 #theshopsquad
  • ever feel like you're alone in your business? you have a few questions you KNOW someone has the answer to, but you don't have a biz buddy to ask your "dumb" question to? (see also: there are no dumb questions) and now you're feeling sad this cute planter pin has more friends than you? 🌱😩 • I see it during Instagram posts that encourage you to tag a friend or share with a shop owner & you're sitting there like wellll, shit, my friends aren't on etsy / I haven't shared my business with them yet... and then as you sit at home working like a mad woman you feel a little more alone? have I lost you yet? I promise it gets better :) what if there was a little space you could talk shop, make a few business friends (who are like, the cool kind) AND work on moving your business forward? cool right? good! because there's #theshopsquad fb group and I want you in it. yes, YOU. • over the weekend, I had the chance to meet Julie @whimsyandwild in person (hi!!) at @renegadecraft who also happens to be the creator of these adorable pins (which I'm now a proud owner!) you guyyyys it was fun! we've chatted before on insta, but it was my first time meeting an "internet person" and I might have introduced myself as "Kate... from the internet" because I hadn't really thought that out? plus i'm awkward, but you know what? Julie is AMAZINGLY SWEET. and she's a real person! yep! bet you sometimes feel like everyone's this "instagram" personality and forget they're just like you. a person behind a computer. and they're all amazing, and sweet, and helpful ('cept for those trolls) and it just takes a little effort to reach out and say "hey, i'll be there and would love to say hi!" or send a quick insta or facebook message encouraging another maker, asking a question, or offering advice. and then boom. you too will be having real conversations someday with an 'internet friend' and can come up with a better intro ;) • so my challenge to you... reach out to someone this week + just be you. say hi, tell them you love their work, leave a real comment like you would if you were having a conversation in person and join us in #theshopsquad if you need a few biz buddies!! (link in bio)

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