How to Balance Your Day Job and Etsy Shop
Monday, March 31, 2025
A lot of Etsy sellers have day jobs while managing their Etsy shop. This is proof that it is possible to have a full-time day job and an Etsy shop simultaneously. You get to have the best of both worlds.
There are various reasons why some do this. For some, it’s the first step to getting rid of their day job and managing their Etsy shop full-time. Some need to earn extra money to be more financially stable. While some want to do something that they’re passionate about.
It is risky to jump into entrepreneurship and quit your day job; that’s why many welcome the idea of having an Etsy shop while maintaining their day jobs.
Bear in mind that it does not work for everybody, as it has its pros and cons.
Pros
- Security – As mentioned before, letting go of your day job and starting an Etsy shop is too risky for some. You will get rid of a steady flow of income and invest your own money. If your Etsy shop fails, you will eventually be jobless and low on cash. This is why some prefer to keep their day job while starting their Etsy shop. You’ll have a guaranteed income while you start to develop your Etsy shop.
- You can ask for advice from your bosses and colleagues – You can get support from people in your workplace, which is a good thing. You can build your network as well.
Cons
- Time – This is the most evident drawback. Having a business while working full-time will take much of your time. Get ready for less sleep and rest.
- It will keep you from entirely investing in your business – Naturally, you will consider your Etsy shop more of a hobby than your primary source of income. As a result, you will be less likely to develop it to fruition.
- It can affect your day job negatively – There will be a time when you’ll be distracted with your Etsy business, and you will not be able to provide your complete attention to your day job.
Tips to Find the Right Balance
Get Super Organized
Create a daily list of tasks that need to be done. This way, you won’t miss anything important. Mark your calendars of important tasks or events, as well.
Learn to Say “No”
Do not take extra tasks if they are not that important. Saying “yes” all the time will take away valuable time to work on your Etsy shop. You can feel a bit guilty for saying “no” to people, but you can explain to them and politely decline.
Ask for Help When You Need It
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and you’ll be happy you did. Let your family members pitch in doing the chores around the house, taking care of the kids, etc. Communication is important. This will take a lot of weight from your shoulders and give you more time to work on your Etsy shop.
Work on the Go
You can work on your Etsy shop whenever you can: during your break, when your kids are napping, or during lunch. By doing this, you can get a decent amount of rest during the night.
Do’s and Dont’s
Do’s
- Save your Etsy income – Set up funds from your Etsy shop’s earnings to sustain you if and when you decide to leave your full-time job. Also, create a clear guideline on your budget and spending. This will ensure a safety net in case of lean times when you don’t have your day job anymore.
- Be open with your employer – Tell your employer about your Etsy business. You can turn your boss and co-workers into customers.
- Prioritize your time – Since working on your Etsy business while having a day job, you need to decide what is important to you.
Don’ts
- Do not use your company computers to send emails related to your Etsy shop – Using company property for your Etsy business is a no, no. If you do not want to have future problems with your boss, avoid this at any cost.
- Do not be pressured to leave your full-time job when your Etsy shop starts to gain traction – Keep in mind that not all early wins mean that you already have a sustainable Etsy business. Before quitting your day job, your Etsy shop should continually sustain your necessary expenses.
Final Words
There are evident benefits and drawbacks to establishing an Etsy shop while working. But, as long as you can handle both, I would give the slight advantage to working while beginning a business.
About Charles Curry
Charles founded his Etsy shop Wall Decal Source in 2012. He opened his decal shop and decided to create a nursery decal for his sisters new baby. Funnily enough he published the decal as an item for sale on his Etsy shop and people really liked it. Well a few years later and his shop has been almost completely taken over by nursery wall decals. He must still be a kid at heart. As Charles tested and tried all sorts of methods to expand his shop he stumbled upon a few simple formulas for consistently growing Etsy sales and views.
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