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March was a slower month for me. I ended with $8,081.93 in revenue—not bad by any means, but off pace from my five-figure months. And honestly? I felt the shift.
I didn’t add much to my shop. I was focused on building my standalone Shopify store, figuring out Facebook ads, and mapping out email sequences I need to market and scale long-term.

But the truth is, I missed being inside my Etsy shop. I missed the flow of research, designing, and watching things sell. This side hustle is so fun and I miss it when I’m not immersed in it day to day.
That’s why April is my reset month. I’m going back to what works—my D.R.E.A.M. method. This is the exact strategy that helped me build my multi-six-figure Etsy shop from the ground up, and every time I revisit it, I get re-grounded in what actually moves the needle.
That absence of creative work left a noticeable gap in both my month and my mindset. It reminded me that sometimes the most productive thing we can do is return to what works for us.
The D.R.E.A.M. Method: My Blueprint for Etsy Success
Let me share the framework that help my reach multi six figures. It’s called D.R.E.A.M., and it’s become my north star when I need direction:
D – Dream: Visualize what you want from your business and your life daily. For me, it’s scaling beyond multi six figures and creating financial freedom on my terms. Your dream becomes your compass when challenges arise.
R – Research: This is where eRank becomes your best friend. I maintain several keyword lists and constantly hunt for low-competition opportunities. Currently, I’m seeing great data on various “cores” – grandmacore, cybercore – all showing promising trends for 2025.
E – Execute: Turn those researched ideas into reality. I use Midjourney for initial concepts, then heavily edit in Canva to create truly unique products. Remember, AI tools should enhance your creativity, not replace it.
A – Amplify: Scale what’s already working. I’m focusing on creating more of what resonates with my buyers, combining past bestsellers with fresh research insights.
M – Manage and Monitor: Track your performance, but don’t get lost in the numbers. Always keep your customers happy. I have almost 1,000 five star reviews. I have very happy customers who turn into repeat buyers. It is a great feeling when they come back to your shop.
Finding Joy in the Process

What struck me most during this slower period was how much I missed the design process.
Creating new products isn’t just profitable – it’s cathartic and genuinely fun.
When other business tasks pull you away from your creative core, pay attention to that feeling. Your passion often points toward your profit centers.
The revenue didn’t disappear completely ~$8,000 revenue is still substantial for a side hustle. But the experience reminded me that sustainable success comes from balancing all elements of the DREAM method.
Moving Forward with Purpose
April marks my return to intention – adding more listings, conducting deeper research, and reconnecting with the creative process that fuels my business energy.
My five-figure months didn’t happen by accident, and they won’t return without deliberate action. Even as I pursue larger goals, I’m committed to enjoying each step of the journey.
Remember that even in “slower” months, there are lessons that strengthen your business foundation. My $8,000 month reinforced the importance of my process and reignited my commitment to creation.
Your Turn to D.R.E.A.M.
What part of your creative business brings you the most joy? Where might you be neglecting your own version of the DREAM method?
This business remains a profitable side hustle that’s entirely manageable alongside other commitments. If I can build this while balancing other priorities, so can you.
Revenue versus Profit
As always, my numbers represent revenue and not profit. My profit margins are typically 45%, meaning I take home 45% of the actual revenue that I bring in.
I also have monthly expenses like Canva ($11.99), Printify Premium ($29), Midjourney ($63), eRank ($5.99), and Ehunt ($3.99), which are my go-to tools.
They total: $113.97, minus 45% of my revenue ($3,636.87) = $3,522.90 profit.
I love this side hustle!
Final Thoughts
$8K in March might not be my highest month, but it’s still solid. My ultimate goal is a six-figure monthly shop. I know I’ll get there. Because this business has never been about overnight success—it’s been about consistency, growth, and aligning with what I actually want for my life.
If you’re in a season of friction, stuck in management mode, or unsure what step to take next—come back to the method. Dream. Research. Execute. Amplify. Manage. In that order.
And if you’re just starting out or looking to grow, I’d love to help. Join my newsletter for tools, updates, and coaching opportunities. Or leave a comment and let me know what’s tripping you up—I’m always creating new resources to get you unstuck and moving.
Success doesn’t always look like a straight line. But it does look like momentum.
The Best SEO and Design Tools for an Etsy Shop:
These are the only tools I use for my shop!
Canva: Canva is the most amazing tool. It is user friendly, and always improving! The tools that Canva has have evolved so much since I first started using it in 2022–for the better. I use it almost everyday. I use it to create designs, to edit AI designs, and to create product mockups.
Midjourney: Midjourney is an AI image tool that blows my mind every time I use it. It takes some time to get the prompts down. Once you play with it, you will get better at creating images and art to include on your print on demand products.
E-Hunt: E-Hunt is fantastic for competitor research and some light keyword research. My favorite aspect of E-Hunt is the Chrome extension that allows you to see the sales amount for an individual item on Etsy. Check out this article to see an example.
eRank: eRank is an SEO data tool that also allows you to search the competition and will also give you key words for your Etsy listing. It is also a low cost tool that will help you find low competition and highly searched niches.
Printify: Printify is a print-on-demand (POD) service that allows individuals and businesses to create and sell custom-designed products without needing to manage inventory or handle fulfillment. I put my designs on products offered by Printify. When an item sells, Printify prints and ships to my customer.
Looking for more information on getting sales on Etsy? Check out these articles:
How to Achieve Location Independence with Etsy Print on Demand
EtsyHunt Review: A Tool for Etsy Print on Demand Sellers
Side Hustle: Can You Really Make $2200 a Month on Etsy?
Quarterly Etsy Income Report: Get Sales On Etsy (Q1 2024)
Quarterly Etsy Income Report: Over $18,000 in Three Months (Q2 – 2024)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: August 2024 ($13K+)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: September 2024 ($12K+)
Etsy Print-On-Demand Income Report for October 2024 ($11K)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: November 2024 ($21K+)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: December 2024 ($28K)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: January 2025 ($10K+)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: February 2025 ($7K+)
