Exploring My Passion Project: Original Poetry Apparel on Etsy

I think I’ve mentioned a few times how those pesky feelings of imposter syndrome have always been lurking around, ready to remind me of how fierce the competition can be in so many aspects of life.

Recently, while browsing YouTube for business ideas to start in 2024, I stumbled upon a video that really resonated with me. It suggested starting with what you’re already good at. Of course, you still need to solve problems, but why not leverage your existing skills?

For some reason, that idea really stuck with me, and I couldn’t shake the thought of what I might excel at.

So, let me introduce myself: I’ve spent what feels like forever in customer service. It’s what I’m good at and what I’ve always done. But it’s not necessarily what I want my business to be about.

After some introspection, I’ve come to realise that I might actually have a knack for writing poems and prose. Admittedly, it’s not something I’ve been super confident about, but I’ve always dreamed of seeing people wear my art—my poetry.

You might be wondering, what problems will this solve? Personally, I am my own target market—an introvert who wants to spread positivity and authenticity without being overtly loud. I hope others will relate to the messages in my prose and poetry.

To expand on this, I used ChatGPT to better describe the niche market I’m focusing on. Here are the two key markets who can benefit from wearing art (poetry) on clothing:

Young Adults and Millennials: This group values self-expression, uniqueness, and authenticity.
Mental Health and Wellness Advocates: They may find my poetry empowering and inspiring, as it encourages self-love and individuality.

In addition to the above, wearing poetry on apparel can address several needs:

Emotional Support: Offering comfort to those who feel isolated or struggle with their identity.
Connection: Serving as a conversation starter, helping to connect like-minded individuals.
Empowerment: Boosting confidence with empowering messages of self-love and individuality.
Self-Expression: Providing a unique way for individuals to showcase their personality and values.

Let me backtrack a bit.

After completing my 30-day Print on Demand Challenge, I found myself struggling to come up with new designs or messages to print on apparel. I liked what I created, but if I’m being honest, I was longing for a passion project.

I’ve always been drawn to positive statements on clothing. Somehow, I think it’s a way of helping myself too.

I started by searching for quotes to print on shirts. I collected a few, but when it came time to design them, I couldn’t translate the ideas into prints I’d be proud to wear.

Then, I remembered that YouTube video and the message about starting with what you’re good at and being original. That’s when it hit me—I could use my poetry. This way, I could showcase my unique voice without feeling like I’m just another face in the crowd on Etsy.

Will people like them? It’s too early to worry about that. For now, my goal is to drive traffic to my Etsy shop. The first step: create and list products consistently. I aim to list two products per day, each with SEO-friendly titles, descriptions, and tags. So far, I’ve listed 14 products (that’s 7 days’ worth).

The ongoing theme of my products is individuality. Here’s what I’m offering:

Available now–

Print-on-Demand Poem Prints on Clothing: These feature my original poems about self-expression—whether overcoming challenges or acknowledging struggles.

Available soon–

Choose Your Own Pair of Earrings: These are wooden earrings cut with my laser and hand-painted in various colours. They’re intentionally unique and not identical.
Custom Engraved Jewellery: This lets you share your personal message with the world.

Deciding to print my poetry on apparel felt like the perfect way to blend my love for writing with my desire to create something meaningful. Initially, I thought about using my old poems, but this project is so personal that new ideas started flowing freely. I’m thrilled to continue this journey and hope that others will see a part of themselves in my poems and find a connection.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure—I can’t wait to see where it leads!