Blog Post: From Idea to Marketplace—The Journey Behind MadeBy Shops
The journey of MadeBy Shops started with a simple realization, too many products being sold as "handmade" on popular platforms that were actually mass-produced, often overseas. This troubling discovery led to the birth of a new marketplace. It would be designed to help U.S.-based small businesses and individuals sell in an environment where their handmade goods would not face competition from a factory.
Founder Dana Arnold was initially setting out to start her own shop on another platform, but after some research she saw a disturbing pattern. "These products were being passed off as handmade, but in reality, they were mass-produced items being labeled as something they were not," she explained. The fake handmade items pushed out real small businesses, hurting the integrity of the handmade market. If an item is manufactured in a facility, the “so-called handmade seller” can sell the item at a far more discounted rate, creating an unfair marketplace for the true creators. Seeing this unfair market trend, Dana was inspired to make a change. She decided to take matters into her own hands and MadeBy Shops was born.
Building the Platform
Creating a marketplace wasn’t an easy task, especially with no programming background. But she dove headfirst into research, learning everything she could about building online platforms. After several months of evaluating options, she chose a website-building company with an add-on option to create the marketplace. "I needed the basics to get started, and I knew that as we grew, I would need to eventually migrate to a more robust solution," she shared.
Though challenges were inevitable, particularly in finding the right features and getting the word out to small businesses, the effort was worth it. The goal was always clear: create a space where creators could succeed and not face unfair competition from mass-producing companies.
A Vision for Community
MadeBy Shops is more than just a marketplace, it's a community. "My vision is to build a platform where all U.S.-based small businesses and individuals can succeed," she explained. "We want to build a community where everyone can grow together, whether they're creators or buyers." This commitment to collaboration is evident in the platform’s offerings, including affordable plans, numerous advertising opportunities, and a support system that helps vendors, even those with little technical experience, get their shops up and running.
With a strong focus on helping creators succeed, MadeBy Shops is a place where individuals can connect with each other, share ideas, and reach a wider audience for their creations. "It's about building relationships; vendors supporting vendors, and buyers connecting with the creators behind the products they love," Dana added.
Milestones and Growth
In just six months since launching, MadeBy Shops has hit several important milestones, including securing its first vendors, making its first sales, running ads, and, of course, launching its first Fall Catalog. These achievements are a testament to the hard work and dedication that has gone into creating the platform.
Looking ahead, the platform is evolving even further with plans to add a social media forum where vendors can interact with each other and buyers can connect directly with creators. With different categories for discussions ranging from technical topics to general conversations, the forum will further strengthen the sense of community at MadeBy Shops.
The Reward of Helping Others
For Dana Arnold, the most rewarding part of this journey is the opportunity to support and work with the vendors. "I love having a place for vendors to sell their unique creations," she said. The joy of helping creators succeed in a fair competitive environment is what keeps her motivated every day.
Looking to the Future
While MadeBy Shops is still in its early stages, Dana is excited about the future. With a clear vision and a growing community, the marketplace is set to become a trusted platform where small businesses and individual creators can flourish, free from the competition of mass-produced goods.
As MadeBy Shops continues to grow, so does the impact it has on its community. And for Dana Arnold, the journey is just beginning.
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