I have a problem making decisions. I’m not even sure asking for your thoughts will help… but I’m going to try anyway.
Here’s the thing (yes, this is about my shop(s) again)… as I’ve mentioned before, RedBubble has no overhead. I design, they produce and deliver the products. Etsy, on the other hand, is fully handmade… I print my designs, I mail out my products… so I need to purchase supplies, be sure I have enough printer ink, package and mail out orders. Significantly more work… and overhead.
There are other sites like RedBubble (I design, they produce). And I’m considering opening another store on another site… one that allows more customization and some different products.
My dilemma is this:
Do I name another store what sandra makes like the RedBubble shop? Or do I use the name I finally settled on for the Etsy shop?
I’ve decided to tell you the Etsy shop name even though I don’t know for sure if I’m keeping it open. [Also, maybe you’ll think it’s silly, so please don’t laugh at me.] I chose the name because on Etsy, I never had plans to sell anything other than cards/paper things. And the name made sense to me… my logo was cute… and I have small paper bags I would slip the cards into prior to mailing to customers. So there it is… paperbag design co. [Yeah, I even linked it. I might leave it open… I don’t know. If I ever feel like I’ve added enough cards and feel like I can handle it, maybe I’ll make a real announcement. But for now… this is what I’ve got.]
Okay… back to my dilemma. For the potential new shop, I like the idea of using paperbag because it seems like more of a brand name than what sandra makes. Also, it’s kind of separate from the blog. (And do I want customers to find this blog through my shop? I’m good with blog to shop… but not sure about shop to blog. Might be best if potential customers don’t discover how crazy I am…) However, in the potential new store, I might end up selling more than just paper products so does the paperbag name work? Does it matter? What the hell does Target, for example, have to do with any of their products? Of course, I won’t be printing or packaging cards at this new site so no cute little paper bags. But I don’t know if that matters either. (Same Target example here.)
If I had thought of the paperbag name before, maybe I would have used that for RedBubble, too. After all, I started with journals and notebooks there… they’re made of paper. But I’m not changing that now. (Not sure what’s involved or if I even could if I wanted to at this point.)
I’m also not sure I really love the what sandra makes name anyway. I didn’t give it that much thought when I started on RedBubble. I thought I was just going to design a few journals and notebooks and that would be it. Then I went nuts. Sigh…
Do I name the new shop paperbag no matter what I end up selling there?
Do I name it what sandra makes because I might sell all different things there?
Does it matter?
I think it might be clear from this post which way I’m leaning… but I can’t make a decision. And, of course, this is stopping me from proceeding with setting up the new shop. (And throw in some anxiety to hold things up, too…)
I’ve never used a poll before. I’ve used a pole. But not a poll. Please do leave your thoughts in the comments, too, though. Thanks in advance for all your wisdom that’s sure to follow…
©2007 what sandra thinks
what sandra thinks 
Okies I love this name! Not only because I’m me and would *probably* love anything but seriously its cute! If you expand from just cards then you can still mail things in paperbags. I was going to suggest that but you’ve already thought of it!! Woohoo! I like the blog to shop idea but not the shop to blog. Great way of controlling the connection! 😉
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Well, I would only be mailing things myself if it’s through Etsy. The other shops produce with my designs and mail the stuff.
I’m glad you like the name… even if you’d probably like anything. 😛
Yeah, I’m good with you guys, who already know I’m a disaster, go to my shop(s)… but I’m less good with shop customers finding my blog (and finding out I’m a disaster)…
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I think I would like anything haha! But I seriously love this name! 😀
that’s true about the other shops thing. But still love the idea. I hope it really takes off for you!!
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I’ve just found a flaw in your poll in that I was able to vote twice. I do like to break things, sorry!
Now I’m curious about what you’ve used a pole for. Dancing? Punting down a river? Vaulting? Do tell.
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I had to re-do that poll about 20 times because apparently “editing” doesn’t actually change anything. I guess I have to try a 21st time…
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First off, I don’t know much about any of the online distributors you’re looking at using, but one vital thing to focus on is branding! So, you want some consistency in naming, regardless, of the distribution you use. So, if you are settled on one name, keep/use it for all aspects of your business – it will be how your customers know you and allows them to make referrals. Granted, it might mean you have to change names on some of your distribution, but that is only rebranding that particular part of your business – probably a change you look back on later down the road as being a small bump in the road and worth it in the long run.
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Well, I can’t change one of my existing shops, I don’t think. Plus people already know it as it is currently. I just don’t think I can deal with changing it. So since I already have 2 different names going, I’m never going to have just one. I know that’s all wrong but I’m hardly a professional anything so I’m sure it doesn’t even matter.
I should never have posted this… I knew I was going to find out all sorts of things I did wrong and feel like crap. Sigh.
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…or maybe you just found out some different perspectives and there really isn’t a right or wrong.
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I love the new name! Great job! For branding, why not use it as wide as you can for consistency? And keep all shops open!
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As soon as I start thinking too much about the shops, the names… I start to hate them. I’m not even sure I like the paperbag thing anymore. I don’t know. Ugh… all my decisions are wrong!
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You liked it once so go with your gut…and no backsies!😆
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I just think it works for Etsy because that was just cards… all paper. I don’t know that it works anywhere else. And I’ve researched and found out that I can change the RedBubble shop name (provided what I want is available)… but I don’t know if I should. I haven’t had a ton of sales but people might already know the shop as “what sandra makes” so I’m not sure if I should change that. But I don’t think I want to use that everywhere else. But I’m not sure I want to use paperbag everywhere either. I think I just don’t like anything enough to commit to it. I never should have posted this… all the jumbled conflicting thoughts are stressing me out. 😦
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Just leave it all status quo for now…
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I still don’t know what to name the new shop…
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What does your gut say?
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Everything! It says one thing, but there’s a but… then I go to the other thing… but there’s another but. I go both ways with both choices.
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🤔
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I don’t know if you recognize this but you’ve made “what Sandra (insert adjective/verb here)” your brand… and It’s very catchy and very much worth holding on to
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You think so? I guess I always thought it was kind of silly. Maybe that’s the answer… to keep that. I don’t know…
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It’s not silly at all… it’s actually very catchy and specific which marks your brand.
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And to think… I originally chose it as sort of a disclaimer for posting what I think without a filter… Basically, so I could be an opinionated bitch. It turns out I do lots more than bitching here…
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Without a doubt… you have a whole marketable brand that only describes what you’re doing but also expresses that your choices are valuable. Stick with it
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Thank you… 🙂 ♥
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You’re welcome…. and brilliant
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I voted name the new one paperbag. And honestly, and that I don’t like what sandra makes as a name, is go with paperbag on Redbubble too. I like that name. It fits and it’s memorable, you know? And with a lot of paper products, I think it’s perfect. 😃
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But even with other products? Does it still work? UGH… there are too many pros and cons for both of them… I have no idea what to do. Is it a good idea to change RedBubble? I really don’t know. I don’t want to lose people who already know that shop as ‘what sandra makes’… and then as a friend pointed out to me… ‘what sandra …’ is already my ‘brand’. But do I want it for everything? Oh my god… I never should have posted this! I’m even more stressed out now… I have no idea what to do.
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Don’t stress this, man. This is the fun part. You already have the Redbubble up and running, and customers, so it makes sense to keep that one as is. But I seriously like paperbag. It’s succinct, easy to remember, and kinda has a hipster sorta vibe to the sound of it, if that makes sense. Definitely use it someplace. Breathe. Enjoy this. And do not freak about getting business. That’s why you’re doing it, right? Sales? That’s some pressure, but it’s a good thing to make sales. You got this. 😊
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The more I think about it the more I think I should keep paperbag for Etsy only… because that’s strictly paper… but I don’t know if I’m ever going to put enough stuff there. So maybe it doesn’t make sense to use that name only there. And I don’t even know yet what products I’m going to have on the new shop. Oh crap… I don’t know…
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Breathe. It’ll be great. Let it play out and see what happens. Hopefully, you’ll get so much interest that you’ll have to worry about keeping product in stock. 😃
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So… I was just writing a follow up post… because I played around on the new (for me) site and holy crap is it messy to design there! It might take a while… or I might get frustrated and give up…
I guess the good thing is that I don’t have to worry about stock issues for anything except Etsy… where I don’t expect to get any sales anyway…
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Stop right there! I gotta know right now….
Sorry, got distracted by Meatloaf. Anyway, stop denigrating yourself. And your work. Self-fulfilling prophecy, and the universe listens, man. Think positively. If you don’t expect sales, why would you do it? 😃
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On the off chance someone might buy something, I guess? But I’m scared about my aged printer. I’m going to get really bad reviews if I can’t fill an order…
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See my response to another response. Is it a special printer, with specific features?
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Kind of. See other response. 🙂
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I’ll see your response…and raise you a retort. 😃
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I fold.
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😃😃
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If you are looking to sale different varieties of products from your shop, then I will prefer What Sandra Makes or What Sandra Designs……else if you are sticking with only paper products, then your new name is perfectly fine…….:)
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I’ve been thinking something similar… just can’t make a final decision!
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Well Sandra, the final decision has to be yours….and you will take a good one….
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Love the name! I agree with the whole not wanting customers to find a blog. Especially if you don’t want certain people to see it. Well that’s my case anyway. Oh and you’re not crazy!
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I’m glad you like the name! I wish I was better at making decisions…!
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You and me both. If it was up to me what to eat for dinner we’d starve!
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Ugh… that decision always falls to me. I hate it!
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I see you’ve hit the branding issue… I’m not a bending person but wherever you choose needs to appeal so you can sell. Hope you’re well ☺️
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Thanks… I’m doing alright… 🙂
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Good, are you any closer to deciding what you want?
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For now… I have 2 open shops with different names… and a third with one of those names but that third one isn’t truly ready for business yet… So… maybe I’m closer? 🙂
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I think I know what you mean, are the links to your shops on your blog?
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Two of them are in the sidebar on my blog… yes. The Etsy shop isn’t all that well stocked yet. The RedBubble one has tons of stuff. I was questioning whether or not I even wanted to keep the Etsy one open… I worry about all sorts of things! It’s just what I do. The third shop is technically open but hardly anything is there… it’s going to take more work…
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How much work do you have to do for this? Do you create the products?
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I only create them myself for Etsy. On the other site, I do the designing only. So, of course, Etsy is more work.
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I think paperbag co is a really cute name and I think if you want to have a ‘brand’ that’s much better, especially if you don’t want people to come across your blog. 💙
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I’m glad you like the name. 🙂 I haven’t made any changes to the one shop that doesn’t have the paperbag name… maybe I will… I haven’t decided. It’s a terrible time for me to have lost my motivation with this stuff… it’s the holiday season. 😐 The timing of my inspiration and motivation really blows!
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The name ‘paperbag’ has a certain ring about it. I really like it.
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Thanks! That’s great to hear… 🙂
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Etsy is so cool! Love it
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It’s a great space to sell and find interesting things!
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Hey sweetie..what about incorporating the two into one…a. Paperbag Co by Sandra……..seems like the majority think the paperbag is an adorable name..and yet it is Sandra who is making (YES DESIGN IS MAKING STUFF) everything and you want people to know that. Ultimately, you have to stop questioning ever decision you make. You have to learn to trust in your own intelligence and worth as WE, your readers, do. You seem a highly intelligent, resourceful, creative and loving person. Believe in you…I believe in you. And i am a smart cookie.
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Thank you… You’re so sweet! I ended up having my Etsy shop open for a couple of months but then put it “on vacation”… mostly because my printer was acting up and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to fill orders. But I only had one sale anyway. The redbubble shop is so much easier. I do like the idea of using the paperbag name everywhere… but I hate to change the redbubble shop since it’s been there for a while now. Not sure if I will change it at some point or not.
I have a hard time with confidence… I wish I could overcome that. But again, thank you so much! ♥
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