Etsy Seller Shari Bodofsky on Learning to Juggle School, a Craft Business and Her Growing Brand

Ever wondered where you could buy a stuffed toy in the shape of a mitochondria cell? Well, wonder no more!

Meet Shari Bodofsky , a biology student who creates unusual handmade plush toys to delight kids young and old. The young entrepreneur’s Etsy shop was born out of a childhood love of crafting, but the business turned into what it is today not long after Shari moved from molding clay figurines to sewing and stuffing her own creations.

We chatted with Shari about appealing to her inner child (and gathering loyal customers along the way!), juggling homework with starting a small business and the lessons she's learned about personal branding.

Name: Shari Bodofsky

Business: Fresh Crayons

Started: 2012

Tell us a bit about how you started your business!

In middle and high school I did a ton of crafting. People especially responded to the clay figurines I made, so I started an Etsy shop for them. 

A few years later, I bought my first sewing machine and began producing stuffed animals. I do everything myself — from the design and the stitching to the stuffing. I also still make clay products, but plush toys are now the bulk of my business. 

I’ve always loved buying boxes of fresh crayons, and I wanted the name of my shop — and company — to capture that young-at-heart feeling people carry with them. 

A great deal of my customers are adults, and as I’m a biology student I like to make a lot of science-related toys. I love that my products reach both teachers and chemistry students — children of all ages! I firmly believe that no one ever outgrows stuffed animals, and I guess my business is proof of that. 

Who was your very first customer?

I was very stubborn when I started selling. I didn’t want my family and friends to buy from me out of obligation. 

Back when I was making clay figurines, my first customer found me through Etsy. Today, a great deal of my business comes from bespoke orders, so I feel a very personal connection with my clients.  
 

When did you know your business was going to work?

When I started my Etsy shop it was a bit of a leap of faith, so I wasn't sure it would work. 

However, I knew the business would be successful when I sold out of my worm dolls, which was the first time I ran out of anything. The next day I had 10 messages asking when they would be back in stock!

What has been the biggest surprise so far after starting your own business?

I’ve been truly amazed at the feedback I receive from customers. I get a lot of personal stories from people telling me how much my toys mean to them. It’s an anniversary gift they couldn’t get anywhere else, a gift for aging parents to say "I love you," even a food-themed stuffed animal inspired by a treasured family recipe. 

I love the stories I get to hear from my clients.

What has been your biggest lesson learned in pricing?

I always try to price fairly. If people can’t afford my products, I won’t be able to reach my customer base. But because I work hard creating my toys, I have to value my labor. 

My prices were too low when I first started out, especially considering how much time I was putting into production. It took a year for me to realize that had to change.

 What does a typical day look like for you?

I wake up pretty early and put on my outfit for the day. I like to dress in a fun way as a part of my business. I go to classes, usually mid-morning to mid-afternoon. In the late afternoon and into the evening, I take time to sew and fill out orders before doing homework into the night.

The holiday season is always crazy with the shop, so that’s usually when juggling homework and the business is toughest. December brings Christmas orders combined with finals, so I always end the year feeling super exhausted!

 If you could go back in time, what would you do differently when you were just starting your business?

I wish I’d started Fresh Crayons with more of a vision. I had to work backwards to create my image. I didn’t know much about branding, and it took awhile to even get a logo or have labels and tags on my products. Now I make them myself by drawing the design and printing it on card stock. I really didn’t have much of a brand image for the first three years, so I guess I was a little innocent!

Nowadays I use social media a little bit, which is something else I didn’t do at the beginning. Being a student, I don’t have a ton of time to put into marketing, so social media is a big help. I have a Facebook page, but I especially love Tumblr because I learn about so many other interesting makers by using it.

I’d recommend getting on Facebook early because it makes a big difference in how you communicate with customers. People are more casual on Facebook — they don’t feel obligated to speak formally. Through the site, customers will send me photos or tell me stories about what the product they bought means to them. I love being able to have those personal exchanges with my customers.

What would you like to learn today from a community of other small business owners and self-employed professionals?

I want to learn more about how to secure consignment deals and building long-term business relationships. I’m interested in understanding how those type of partnerships are arranged, and what I should know before starting negotiations.

 
 Let's all help Shari out with her questions!

QB Community members, have *you* learned how to work with other business owners to take your business up a notch? Are you a master at securing partnerships, or launching a new consignment deal?

Share your own experiences with us below in the comments. We can't wait to hear more about you've learned!