behind the curtain at Etsy and ACC

One of the cool parts about writing this blog is that I sometimes get invited to events at major craft institutions, both new and old.

Last week, it was a party at Etsy. And some of you may recall that in February, I was invited to speak to the American Craft Council board.

While I’m certainly not privy to the inner workings of either institution, I have gotten to peek into some of the changes forthcoming at both.

As makers, we are quick to point out the flaws in these institutions, particularly when we perceive them as having a negative impact on our own ability to make a living.

It’s easy to forget that as solopreneurs, we are much more nimble than these large organizations. If something isn’t working in your business, you simply make a decision and change it.  But in an organization like Etsy or ACC, change takes time. There are boards to consult, pros and cons to be weighed, long term plans to be considered.

While at Etsy, I spoke with Adam, their COO. He spoke about balancing their long range plans with more immediate fixes the site required. (They have had to rebuild the site’s infrastructure from the ground up just to make seemingly simple changes.). And he shared some of the insights they’ve gleaned by tracking buyer behavior, and how that influences decision making.

Etsy is not without it’s problems, and it was refreshing to hear someone in Etsy acknowledge those problems, even if solutions are far off.

When I spoke with the ACC board in February, I saw first hand the challenges of trying to bring in a younger audience (both makers and shoppers) without alienating the people who have supported them for decades.

Like Etsy, ACC is aware that not everything they’re doing is working. But they can’t change it overnight. However I do have confidence that things will change. (The decision to place up to 30% of the show floor, separate from the jury process, is proof of this.)

I’m not saying that everything Etsy and ACC are doing is perfect. But what I hope to highlight is that large institutions cannot move with the swiftness a solo business can. Change is likely coming, but often at what seems like a snails pace.

I also think it’s important to remember that, as influential as Etsy and ACC are, they are not responsible for the success or failure of your business. (Nor is any other show you sell at or website you use.) You are.

The next time a show doesn’t go your way, or you have a slow month online, ask yourself what you could have done differently. Take personal responsibility, rather than blaming the institution for your failures.

I’m not saying that we should never be critical of these institutions. By all means, continue to give them your feedback and suggestions. Just know that change can’t come overnight.  And that ultimately, the success of your business is up to you, not them.

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Note: For those of you who might be considering an ACC show in 2012, the deadline to apply is today.  (August 1st)

PS.  If you’re thinking about doing ANY wholesale show in 2012, you’ll want to check out my upcoming Wholesale Academy.  Sign up for the pre-launch list (at the bottom of the post) for more details.