How Keiko Increased Sales 30% With MakerFlo

In 2011, Keiko Ito opened an Etsy business to make some extra income after her then-husband lost his job. "I was reading a magazine while waiting at Discount Tire, and I saw Etsy. I thought, 'Oh, maybe I can do this.'"

Even though she had been creative all her life, it took a few tries to find her footing on Etsy. She started by painting custom wine glasses for weddings, then moved to custom-twisted hangers. Thanks to her artistic skill and attention to detail, her business took off.

Keiko and her business partner, Chris, at MakerFlo's HQ in June

There was just one problem: she was doing everything herself. She knew she couldn’t scale her business while still hand-painting and hand-twisting hangers, alongside all of the other tasks on her plate as a busy business owner.

So she decided to look for engravable blanks that would allow her to systemize her business and scale her profits.

The Challenge: Finding Reliable Blank Suppliers

Keiko started by purchasing directly from overseas suppliers at a low cost. But she faced many issues, including:

• High Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs): The low-cost suppliers demanded large minimum orders, forcing Keiko to make substantial, risky upfront investments. "Their minimum quantity is large, so I needed to spend a lot," she said. The result was often extra inventory collecting dust in her workspace.
• Inconsistent Quality: Despite the lower prices, achieving consistent quality was a challenge. "It's hard to get a quality item from them," Keiko said.
• Lost Money and Poor Customer Service: Keiko faced financial losses from damaged goods and unresponsive suppliers who denied responsibility. "I made so many mistakes and lost a lot of money," she said. "You receive the item damaged, but the supplier doesn't take responsibility."

Keiko needed a partner who could provide reliable, high-quality products and customer support. And she wanted the ability to start with small orders as she tested new products.

The Solution: Discovering MakerFlo

The turning point for Keiko's business came when John from MakerFlo reached out to her business partner, Chris. As a local company, MakerFlo offered a stark contrast to her previous experiences.

• No MOQs: Instead of requiring big initial orders, MakerFlo offered the ability to start with small orders and purchase only what she needed.
• High-Quality Products: Every time she ordered a product from MakerFlo, it was made with the same attention to detail that she came to expect from them. "The product is really nice, and the price is reasonable," said Keiko. "And their packaging is really good. I don't need to do anything extra for the packaging to look nice."
• Consistent Line-Up: She knew that when she came back to order more products in a few months, they would have the same products still available.
• Excellent Customer Service: Whenever she had a problem, John and MakerFlo's team were ready to help. "They really care about customers. They try to solve the issue. The customer service is great."

Keiko holding one of her products, a personalized memory box

The Results: Expanded Product Line & Increased Revenue

MakerFlo's reliability and ready-to-engrave products meant that Keiko could quickly and confidently expand her product line.

In addition to wedding keepsakes, she added items for Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, and especially Christmas, which is now her biggest sales season.

It allowed her to target a wider customer base while still serving engaged couples. And the diversification smoothed out her sales cycles, so sales kept coming in even in off-seasons for weddings.

Today, MakerFlo items account for a substantial 40% of Keiko's revenue, a figure that continues to grow as she integrates more of their products into her shop. It helped her grow her revenue by 10% in the first year and 30% in 2024.

Her business is no longer seasonal, but thrives year-round with a diverse customer base. Thanks to MakerFlo's reliable quality, she can uphold her standard of over-delivering to her customers. "I always try to give the customer more than I receive," she explained. "If I receive $30 for something, I try to deliver more than $30 worth of value."

"I love what I do," Keiko said, "because I can be part of my customer's special moments, whether that's their wedding or another special day. A lot of customers message me to say thank you, that my item really brought them joy. That's really nice to hear."

Looking ahead, Keiko is eager to keep growing her business and revenue. She's excited to continue incorporating new products from MakerFlo, further expanding her offerings.

Her advice for other makers who want to grow on Etsy? "To succeed, you need to stand out from the crowd. Especially on a platform like Etsy where competition is high and the market is saturated."

And for those who want to find success quickly, as growing on Etsy can take time: "Follow those who have already succeeded in the same industry. By learning from their path and applying similar strategies, you can increase your chances of success."

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When asked what keeps her going when running her business, Keiko said, "It's very challenging, but I like to push myself to rise to the challenge. Running a business has no limitations. So I can dream big and continue to grow my business year after year."

Keiko and Chris at MakerFlo HQ

About Keiko's Business

Keiko runs the highly successful Etsy shop Hanging With the Bride, which initially dominated the market for custom wedding hangers.

With the partnership with MakerFlo, her business has expanded to offer a wide range of personalized gifts for all occasions, including birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduation, and Christmas.

Her focus remains on providing high-quality, personalized items that bring joy to her customers as they celebrate special moments.

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