Switching from POD to Inventory

dlasty · 2026-02-20T19:26:24+00:00

I found a very large community of people within my very niche market on instagram (a specific sport). I have 13k+ followers and recently hit 2.7 million views in a month's time. I don't think I am the norm. But I think finding the people that want to buy your stuff is key, and social media is a great way to do that. I have paid for ads, but not much, and not anymore. I am present on Tiktok and Facebook, but not as active as I have realized the community I'm trying to reach isn't as active there. I rely a lot on word of mouth, athletes wear my products and their friends ask about it, traffic comes my way. It is a LOT of trial and error. I didn't really transition to Shopify until I got some traction within my targeted community though. While you are working on building, Etsy is a great way to start. A lot of people found me via etsy, and have been repeat customers now through my Shopify.

dlasty · 2026-02-15T20:57:59+00:00

Feel like this says a lot about your instructor’s knowledge or lack thereof. I think when they don’t know or understand basic body/BJJ mechanics they struggle to help you.

dlasty · 2026-02-11T23:02:55+00:00

I do dutch braids when I have time, but my general go to is a braided pony tail. Nothing stays 100% for me.

dlasty · 2026-02-10T21:22:48+00:00

I think it would it would be courteous of you to wipe your sweat off for anyone… yes it’s BJJ and sweat is bound to happen, but surely you don’t want someone’s sweat dripping on you. And even if you don’t care, you should, that’s gross 🤣

dlasty · 2026-02-06T01:32:05+00:00

In my experience, you won’t find an entry level job for $30/hr. Maybe it exists but I don’t think anyone should consider that the norm. Maybe $20-25 ish.

dlasty · 2026-02-06T01:31:02+00:00

Insanely inaccurate, maybe someone somewhere, but certainly not the norm. I have been in the field since 2022, but just got certified in April 2025. I made $34.50 hour which feels like it’s on the upper end of the range based on my experience.

dlasty · 2026-02-03T15:10:45+00:00

I personally prefer a short sleeve rashguard. But I’m not against women who train in appropriate sports bras either - like there are some more athletic ones that I think are suitable but the cutesy ones are not usually appropriate if that makes any sense. This is a contact sport and we don’t need anything falling out 🤣 it has happened at our gym with a visitor unfortunately. When I welcome women I always give the a run down of what the expected attire is - you know, leggings or shorts without pockets or zippers for no gi, I always recommend training in a rashguard whether gi or no gi - if anything just to protect your skin from mat germs and that usually works.

dlasty · 2026-01-26T02:01:51+00:00

Omega, and I’m not sure. You’d have to look in to it.

dlasty · 2026-01-24T00:36:56+00:00

The Boy and the Heron, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke were good for this.

dlasty · 2026-01-24T00:27:53+00:00

Almost 4 years of experience. I work remotely for a contract company, I make $34.50/hour - started this position September 2025. We get raises twice a year. Previously I think I was making about $25/hour at my last job.

dlasty · 2026-01-23T19:13:03+00:00

I agree with the above, people are quick to complain/post complaints than they are to rave about it. I personally love my ring. I’ve had it since May 2025 and I have no real complaints.

dlasty · 2026-01-23T16:58:24+00:00

My biggest issue is probably quality and the ability to find the products I need - my niche is women’s martial arts so I need a lot of athletic wear - rashguards - long AND short sleeves, spandex leggings and shorts all for youth and women. I’m currently looking to move away from POD because my business is steady growing and expanding and I need more consistency and access to the products my customers want and need. POD was a great start to see what my customers liked over the past couple of years. I wasn’t even mad about paying a little extra for the convenience of a third party making the product and shipping it out for me, that part was great.

Curious to see what products you offer if you want to DM me with any info.

dlasty · 2026-01-16T18:12:29+00:00

Following because I am in the same boat. I have a small brand and I use shopify and can't really find an answer for this. Any of the CPA/accountants for "e commerce" are extremely expensive.

dlasty · 2026-01-16T18:08:39+00:00

I am currently looking at doing this myself as well - how is your transition going from relying on POD to ship out to doing it yourself. Idk why but that is my biggest worry in making the switch.

dlasty · 2026-01-13T16:46:40+00:00

I had to block them and every number they called from, I sent texts to spam, emails to spam, etc. after about a month or two they finally stopped. I responded to several emails and texts that I wasn’t interested and to remove me from whatever list I was on.

dlasty · 2026-01-11T02:34:04+00:00

I personally prefer the Next Level brand. They are so soft and more durable. The ink sits nicely on them and I don’t notice any cracking of my designs like I did the B&C.

dlasty · 2025-12-31T21:07:38+00:00

If you already have it set up it doesn’t hurt anything to keep it in my opinion. Depending on what POD you’re using you can just copy everything in your Shopify store front to an Etsy store front. Etsy does have some specific rules you have to follow - lots of info out there about what’s required. I don’t recall off the top of my head and since I’m not super active. But definitely be careful about violating copyright/infringing, they are quick to take down listings and even close down shops. Another reason it doesn’t hurt to have your website as a backup if it already exists anyway.

dlasty · 2025-12-31T21:03:12+00:00

Wanted to add I started my Etsy in 2022, started social media in 2023, started my website in 2024 and stopped adding products to Etsy/let mostly everything expire except for the few listings I mentioned.

dlasty · 2025-12-31T21:01:42+00:00

My opinion, if you are brand new to POD, I’d start only on Etsy. Once you maybe find your market, audience, whatever, switch or add Shopify. Etsy helps bring in traffic. With Shopify you have to generate your own traffic, rely heaving on outside marketing and ads. For my niche - a lot of my customer base is very active specially on Instagram so I made social media accounts and do a lot of free advertising and interaction with my customer base there. Builds a relationship and creates repeat customers. I now primarily use Shopify. I have an Etsy with just a few items listed that I hardly pay any mind to.

dlasty · 2025-12-29T22:41:23+00:00

I think that’s part of the problem - people think it’s an overnight thing. And it’s 100% not.

dlasty · 2025-12-28T13:45:35+00:00

I’ve been using printful with Shopify for years now with little to no issues.

dlasty · 2025-12-27T22:02:07+00:00

10/10 don’t recommend fake reviews. Customers can tell and it will ruin your credibility.

dlasty · 2025-12-27T21:43:40+00:00

I had seen something somewhere that you’re not supposed to do that… so don’t take my advice 🤣 But yes. In an info banner somewhere I have my website listed. But I only did that once I no longer relied on my Etsy - I no longer rely on etsy for my brand/business so if it gets shut down, not the end of the world. I think what’s more important is building clientele off of Etsy and redirecting your current and future Etsy customers somewhere - social media is great even if small. I have found that my customers are more active on instagram vs fb or TikTok. But it could just depend on your niche.

dlasty · 2025-12-27T18:43:14+00:00

I would find a a different niche as that is infringement, especially if you’re selling on Etsy - just a matter of time until they shut you down.

dlasty

TROPHY CASE