I would not mind a quarterly update about your success with this business.

@Steve-hh8tg

11 ай бұрын

Yes, being a golf category, I'm wondering how it does after summer!

I was an original Glowforge crowd sourcing purchaser, tested early pre-release units and have had mine ever since mass production started - so 7 years or so. I did a lot of testing of materials and for wood, Proofgrade is great since it's a known laserable product with consistent thickness and finish. It's also a big timesaver not having to finish the end product so it's not as expensive as it seems. For acrylics, there's far less variation from other vendors so typically use a lot of other vendors for plastics. There's also a ton of other variations in available materials including two and three color layered acrylic, mirrors, etc. For wood, a good, but unfinished, alternative is Home Depot's Columbia Forest Products project panels. They're sized for the Glowforge bed just like Proofgrade and come in a variety of wood species as well as thicknesses. Since they're only available online, they come in 10-packs at a significant savings over Proofgrade. You'll have to finish them, but especially if you want a different finish, say high-gloss or flat/matte, you can't get that from Glowforge's Proofgrade. If you start expanding your material sourcing you may find inspiration for other products that aren't possible by sticking only with Glowforge Proofgrade.

The creators like yourself who share their process, regardless of success or failure is like the heart of the pre-social media internet of the 90's, just experts and enthusiasts talking about the stuff that engages them with other people. Thanks for the videos

@evanbarnes9984

11 ай бұрын

I really miss bouncing around the internet in the late 90s and early 2000s. Just a bunch of nerds like me finding each other in forums and making all text websites to share info about our hobbies! It was the best, so calm and hopeful. I remember feeling like I had the world's knowledge at my fingertips, rather than having to be on the lookout for yet another Russian disinformation campaign or whatever.

Thank you for being so honest with your new side hustle and how it all works. My wife and I really appreciated this series and would love a follow-up quarterly. All your videos are first rate! Also, thank you for taking the extra time making all your videos. We know it takes sooooo much longer to haul us around with you in order for you to get a job done. (Not to mention all the editing hours!) Take care and may God overwhelm you and your staff and family with blessings!

I would love to hear more about the time involved. Not just the per piece production/packing/shipping time, but time spent in designing and refining the products, researching sales and ad platforms, setting up the store, accounting for taxes, etc. After all, time is money.

@FrugalShave

10 ай бұрын

Just like any business, year 1 can be rough, then it slowly becomes less and less of an issue year after year. By year 4 my Etsy side hustle had very little time devoted to design and research. I did a lot of word of mouth "advertising" in the relevant Facebook Groups in the first 3 years. (Mostly posting pictures of my new designs and getting feedback) The feedback is important because if folks don't get excited and start asking you if they can buy one immediately, it's a dud and will not sell. Since then I have not done any advertising at all because my queue is never shorter than 2 weeks and has been up to 6 weeks during Covid and I am running at my full side hustle capacity.

@michaelkenefick

7 ай бұрын

And utilities costs.

@allez2015

3 ай бұрын

I'd like to hear more about all costs and time to produce the stated revenue. What sort of profit margins is she achieving? It's easy to flash a big revenue number on the screen, but it means nothing if you are producing products with no profit and spent a bunch of time to do it.

Congrats on the huge success of the Glow forge! The happiness on your face when you figured the second set of numbers was amazing. Keep rockin it and thanks for sharing!❤

As a person just starting out in a side business, I want to thank you for taking the risk and being open as you are with your business experiment. It's been very encouraging, please continue.

@15:55 “There is nothing about me that makes me more capable of doing this than you” Although that is sweet of you to say and such an encouragement to others, you have the vision and drive to get you where you are. I can pretty much make anything I have a picture of. I thought everyone could. If I had only been as good in business as you. Thanks for your content.

@Karrde

11 ай бұрын

Not only that, but she also has one and a half million viewers allready. Even if only 0.01% of her viewers look at her store and 1% buys something of her store... that would be a real advantage others don't have. She does not start at the same line.

@dcbrown2125

11 ай бұрын

@@Karrde she started from scratch and built herself up. so yeah therefore the same line

@dagwood1327

11 ай бұрын

@@Karrde She has worked hard for a lot of years to get where she is. Sure she has advantages but she has multi tasked to get there. The point I was trying to make is that she is very humble to think we are all on an equal capability scale.

@Karrde

11 ай бұрын

@@dagwood1327 that's my point too. All those years of hard work are giving her an advantage people just starting out don't have. So when looking at the example with the Glowforge in this video, it is not really comparing apples to apples. Now if she did this experiment under another name and made a video only after it was concluded, then her KZread career would not have been a confounding factor. But she didn't so it is. While I don't blame her and I agree she works very hard and deserves all the success she is getting, other people should adjust their expectations when looking at the numbers she is providing in this video.

Congratulations! I love how transparent you are!

This series really helps me with my new adventure. I have had a construction company for 30+ years and I decided to start making small things to sell online as I am getting older and want to get away from heavy work. Thank you April for doing the leg work.

This video content is absolutely awesome!! Thank you so much for taking the time to gather the information and share it with us. Also, for being so transparent with your numbers and platform results. I would love to see more of this "real-life" content. If you could do as much as your comfortable with I would appreciate it very much. Congratulations on such a successful kick-off.

So much respect for the transparency and inspiration. Been a fan for a few years now and you continue to wow with great content.

Thanks April. Loved this series. Would love to see it applied to other shop tool financing like a entry level cnc. And a deeper dive into your creative process of designing a new product from scratch. Would be cool to revisit some early projects (ex. Height chart) from the start of journey and see how your experience and workshop evolution would change your approach to it today.

April, thank you so much for so graciously sharing your experiences and financials! You rock!! And your videos do too!!

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

This is excellent help and advice to anyone looking to start their own small business. It always takes thought and experimentation, but you showing the steps helps make it seem more achievable to more people. I think thats great.

You are doing a great job! Thanks for being so real!

Your enthusiasm is contagious April! It’s the thing I like most about you! I’m sure there will be several new side hustles started because of this video series. I would be interested in quarterly updates of your progress. 😃👏

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!

Hi, April! WOW! 10k! That's some serious steam!! You go, Girl! I wish you continued success. God bless.

Thank you for sharing so openly about your project. It's very insirational and certainly food for thought for lots of people who have been considering setting up a side hustle. I'd be interested in quarterly updates about how things are going.

I'm so glad to hear that this is going well. Not only for you, but to show others what can be done. As far as the nay sayers, I'll simply offer this. There are people who will encourage you. There are also people that will see you improving your life and, after examining their own, will decide its easier to discourage you than to improve their situation. The more you succeed, the more they are faced with the realization that they lack the drive or courage to push themselves into something new. Others may feel that they are somehow above you and feel threatened if you begin to catch up. It's important to recognize when people are giving you advice to protect you because they care, as opposed to those who are trying to protect themselves because they don't.

@zodiaccentral8908

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree!!!

I have been thinking about this for some time, you may have just given me the kick I needed!

Thanks for sharing April. Would love you to continue the series, especially to hear of you come up with new products. Love the fact that you are s concentrating on something you love (golf). Been thinking of something similar but with 3D printing. I have a lot of ideas for drone parts and accessories for myself and if they work out, being able to make those available for the public. Thanks for the encouragement you bring us.

Please keep doing these type of videos about glowforge. They are very helpful and gives an idea as to what to encounter if others decide to open an Etsy busyness. This type of videos are encouraging

Great video April, it’s exciting seeing how you generated this amazing business ❤

Thanks for investing your time and sharing for our benefit! Very inciteful.

love this. Thanks for all the information. I'm inspired!!

@AprilWilkerson

5 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

Another awesome video!! Very inspiring!! Thank you!!😊

Alright! I'm going to try this!! Thank you April for this series and your encouragement at the end

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it. Best of Luck!

This has been a great educational experience! It would be beneficial in say, 6 - 8 months, just to share a short recap of how things are going. Not necessarily a lot of detail, just an update. Thanks again for this series! Keep on buildng!

Great series and advice! If you keep doing it I'd love to see more.

THIS is exactly who you are !! And why you have had so much success. Always humble and you love giving back. You're the best Mrs April........ and I have no interest in a side hustle, but I love who you are and all your content 🥰

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

I appreciate your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching and being so supportive.

@georgedoolittle7574

11 ай бұрын

​@@AprilWilkerson while strolling through the Park one day In the Merry Month of May I met April in the Park And it was after dark

I think your success is awesome and inspiring. I've been watching you from the beginning of your KZread launch. How far you've come baby! Keep it up and well wishes for your continued success.

You do very awesome work! Congratulations on all your success. Hard work and dedication pays off and you seem to be a very hard worker and hats off respect to you.

I really like this series. Congrats on the success! Please keep us updated. 🙂

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Excellent information. I enjoy all of your videos, keep up the great work.

Thank you again for this series. I love the idea of this side hustle.

I would love to see more of this! I’m so happy for you and it’s inspiring to see how much you’ve grown from your channel to your business. All around you’ve done such amazing things. 👏 I’m a single mom and I love the idea of homeschooling my son and homesteading but I need something I can do from home along with a side hustle. I enjoy creating things, just as you do! I’m hoping to take what I learn here and implement them into my own life to create the life I’ve always dreamed of. 😊

@AprilWilkerson

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@sierracdenney

8 ай бұрын

@@AprilWilkerson You’re very welcome!!

Thank you April really enjoyed the series. More Power

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

I see what you did there. :) Thanks.

Thanks......just your positive energy gives me a boost

So appreciative of you. You are very inspiring and motivating. Looking forward to all that you are willing to share. Your KZread productions are excellent!

@AprilWilkerson

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Congratulations April. You deserve success.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

What a great video (as always). One of the things to point out about Etsy (as opposed to all the other platforms mentioned) is that Etsy is really a MARKETING platform ... they bring the eyeballs that purchase your products. I have been making a living for 10 years on Etsy (woodworking and laser engraving), and it's definitely harder than its ever been to make a living there, in large part due to the Glowforge, there is such a crazy amount of competition, and always someone very eager to steal your new product ideas. Great work, inspiring for sure!!

Thank you for this. I am also starting a laser side hustle, but you are much better with numbers than me. So, thanks for this. I need to work on my organization. But, I love how friendly the laser community is! We ALL help each other. And I have found a rather obscure and profitable market, so, I need to get better with the numbers.

I really appreciate the update and would like you to continue to make them!

You're awesome! Thanks a ton for the insights and for sharing what you've picked up!

@AprilWilkerson

8 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

Incredibly helpful advice especially on all of the work designing a product and pricing out materials that can be done before I invest in a glowforge so I can hit the ground running once I finally do pull the trigger on that. Your videos have definitely convinced me to give this a try.

Great series April! I am a longtime fan of your work. This series and your thorough breakdown of how you approached it and thought through it has really got me thinking about our options with such a business model. I am curious though - what kind of maintenance and upkeep costs have you seen with the Glowforge? Has anything worn out or needed replacement at your cost? I am interested in factoring in potential parts, wear, and downtime if I am to make the plunge on something like this. Thanks so much for this!

I have a Glowforge competitor laser (The Omtech Polar) - and am paying nothing per month, can use Lightburn, and I just looked up Proofgrade ply pricing and nearly had a heart attack - 1/4" cherry ply 12*20 sheet is $30 from GF - or, $5 from Colombia Forest. I'd be fascinated what the actual profit is out of the $10k after material cost is factored in!

We got our Glowforge a year ago and I've had some success with making custom items. I've just been afraid to take the plunge into Etsy until now. Thank you for sharing your story. I've been a huge fan since the beginning. Keep up the splendid work.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

I have had an Etsy store for several years and it has been very successful for me. That being said as the store becomes successful Etsy enters your listings into a Marketing Program. You can't opt out of this program once you have reached a certain number. The Marketing program is very expensive and it cuts deeply into profit margin. This has been an interesting series, thanks for sharing.

Absolutely incredible series, so insanely helpful, thank you so much

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

Fantastic, Yes please do some more updates along the way, It gives folks ideas, including me! Thannks for doing these candid videos.

Thanks April for sharing this very interesting information, nice to see that this side hustle has worked out for you! Been following your journey from the day that you decided to quit you're day job en follow your dream, it's really inspiring what you have achieved in all these years.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for staying along for the ride.

You certainly inspired me! Thanks for your transparency…keep up the great job! Blessings!!!

@AprilWilkerson

9 ай бұрын

You are so welcome. Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

Super cool video, great concept, great info, very inspiring

Just started my store last night. I’ve had a c02 laser for a while now, and been dragging my feet to get started. Thank you for the insight and inspiration!

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

That's awesome! Best of luck! Thanks for watching.

Wow! That's amazing! You found that niche and are killing it! I've been on Etsy since 2016 and haven't had huge sales yet. I have a niche as well but I think my niche is very obscured. I need to find a way of making it more main stream. I do have a laser cutter but I'm using it more for my art. I would love to see more of this series (not sure what) but this is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Congratulations, you’re the one putting in the hard work, you deserve everything you reap.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.

Thank you for sharing this with us April. Best wishes for 2024!!

@AprilWilkerson

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! Same to you. Thanks for watching.

Thank you so much for sharing your successes! You are an inspiration to many!

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.

Great video, and definitely more fuel for the fire. I wish you had shared a break down of the fees ETSY charged though. I've seen other makers complain about their fees, and I feel like not mentioning that makes $10k in sales seem like a lot more profit than it really is.

@TedH71

9 ай бұрын

I believe Etsy only charges you fees to post a product. I've not used Etsy to sell the stuff that we make. I've set up a website and we sell from there and we do free advertising from FB.

Love to hear more!

A quarterly update would be great! Love the idea and info!

I would love to hear more about your business. Please continue your series.

Wonderful update April, thanks for sharing. Would love further updates when you feel like it. ❤

Very Cool ! You Go Girl . Find your Vids most interesting . Educational . Fun . Not too long . Thanks !

I would like to know what the actual profit numbers looked like. You said the 10k did not account for costs of materials or labor/time. so what were the real profit margins? thanks for showing the results. it was helpful to know etsy was the best. I never thought i would have a chance of selling anythinv on there with so much competition. I have tried a website before spending hundreds on promotional stuff, donations, advertising...and didnt get a single sale. 😢

Definitely would like to see more updates. either at the 6 mos mark or end of the quarter. Something I'm considering and branching out to other hobby sports or fandoms

Thanks so much for the valuable info, you are the best 🎉

Thank You For Sharing all Your Knowledge!!!! ❤

GREAT JOB!!!! I'm truly excited for you! I know you said your pencil holder was designed by you -. Do you design EVERYTHING you sell or do you sell some of the ideas that comes with the flow forge and patterns from other people or do you STRICTLY sell your own designs? (Asking because this girl isn't great at creating wood designs on my own.....😬) Super happy for you!!! And you gave me more confidence and inspiration. Thank you! 🤗

Congrats on your success. But thank you so much for sharing your experience with us and showing what it takes to make a side hustle work.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

Thank you, this has been an inspiring bit of information. I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while now I’m really thinking about it. Again thank you so much for that great laser lesson.

@AprilWilkerson

6 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you so much!, great advice and inspiration.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Great vid! I want a glowforge 😂 I’m saving for it. The hardest thing for me is thinking about which niche to land on but this series definitely got me thinking

Thank you for your time April and yes I'd like to see more. My Etsy shop is FAR more siccessful than I ever imagined.

At the school I work at, the shop class has a laser cutter. They use it as a fundraiser, making plaques, signs, and other items. It helps keep the class going!

Thank you for sharing - very interesting and inspirational.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank You so much for sharing this. I had no idea this could be done.

@AprilWilkerson

10 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

This is so helpful!

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

You are excellent. I am inspired by your enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing what you have learned and good luck to you.

@AprilWilkerson

10 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Would love to see another video about this topic. Quarterly might be tough since you are busy doing awesome stuff, so maybe an update at the year mark? Keep up the great work, I enjoy watching your videos.

Good luck and success

Good to hear your effort succeeded

Good job. Thanks for sharing. I just ordered a snapmaker Artisen

I would like to see more updates every quarter to see if this can be sustained. Also, I would like to see what the net profit is after you deduct all of the material and shipping costs and Etsy fees to get a clear picture of how viable this side hussle could be.

Awesome April!❤❤❤

I’m totally blown away sand so happy for your success. Loved your channel now, and had an idea for a great product. I’ll message you.

Great video giving details and inspiration. Will you be covering your trip to Australia in May for Wood Dust down under 😊

@splinters7868

11 ай бұрын

I hope so,April, Jimmy and Matt and everyone involved were so nice and generous with their time, it was such a fun weekend and a pleasure to meet them all !

Amazing video, sooooo inspiring !!!!!!!!!

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Glad you think so!

Thanks April. Once a quarter would be cool. Thanks again and congratulations on your success

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

We use that same glowforge in the classroom one the things that was well worth the buy was the dust collector for glowforge !

Awesome. I am just now getting into laser, not glow forge, but this has helped me so much. Another winner from April Wilkerson. Thank you.

@AprilWilkerson

8 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

This whole series has been great. Would love to see a 6+ month and 1 year update as well.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

Please keep us posted quarterly as I am still learning and want to learn more.

This is refreshing! I've heard so many negative things about etsy and how high their fees are that they were squeezing out individual makers. Even though that's how they started

Well done!

Great success. I plan on developing additional laser cut projects as well. Thanks for sharing.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Best of luck! Glad you found it useful.

@myhoneyshandmade1077

11 ай бұрын

@@AprilWilkerson thanks. You as well. Very well.

I really appreciated your overview and directness. I have been considering marketing a photographic product and using Etsy. Thank you for this video.

@AprilWilkerson

11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I have watched you off and on for years. You were first women woodworker I watched I was surprised when you said you didn’t tell anyone that you were selling these. I sell plants on Etsy and I do fairly good for me but not as great you have done When I first started on woodworking and Etsy I made the “rope” shelf but I advertised as a stuff animal shelf and I sold like 3-4 then now I see pp selling it everywhere for more money keep it up you’re a motivation