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Andrea Vehige

Andrea Vehige

Lifestyle | Etsy | Travel

My love for adventure started my senior year of high school. Between going to the beach on long weekends and taking my senior trip to Peru, I longed for a career that would allow me to travel and work simultaneously. At the same time that I was filling out college applications, I started building my Etsy + photography businesses. By the time high school graduation rolled around, I had opted out of getting a traditional college degree and decided to pursue entrepreneurship full time.

This path has led me to sharing some of the best moments with couples on their wedding days, rushed post office runs during busy season, and road-tripping around foreign countries; igniting a deeper love for the unpredictable at every turn. I spend my time exploring new places, learning from my mistakes, and trying new things every chance I get.

This blog was created to document just that. You’ll find my favorite travel hacks, paired right alongside tips for growing your Etsy shop. I don’t know what the future holds (who does?), but I plan on sharing every step of my journey right here. Thanks so much for exploring my little corner of the web!

-Andrea Vehige

“We have nothing to lose and a world to see…”

Rainie Navarro

tid-bits

fact #1 | My 3 most favorite things in life are lighthearted conversations, new places to explore, and tart cherry kombucha.

fact #2 | I’ll try anything once. A list a things I’ve recently tried: pig brain at a hot pot restaurant, racing a full Ironman, and surfing in San Diego.

fact #3 | Being self employed, in any capacity, is my dream job. However, if that wasn’t an option I’d get a degree to become a high school science teacher.

Lately all the work for Saltwater Prep has been fo Lately all the work for Saltwater Prep has been forward facing and it feels SO GOOD. 🙌

You know those times in business when everything is on the backend?! Like inventory and site fixes and the nitty gritty branding stuff... yeah, I hate that stuff. 🙅‍♀️ (even though it’s completely necessary)

But lately, it’s all been work my customers will ACTUALLY SEE 🤩 Email lists, Instagram posts, YouTube videos: I’ve been loving it.

That’s all I have to say, no dramatic takeaway. Just that sometimes business is more fun than other times. And lately it’s been one of those seasons! ✨
How running a small business looks VS how it somet How running a small business looks VS how it sometimes feels 😳🤪

On the real though, making things we love and putting them out into the world can be really difficult and really scary. 🙈 This one goes out to the creative business owners who are chugging along and taking baby steps to grow their businesses. ✨

Can you tell I’m getting senti over finally having these tees out into the world?! 😂 I’m just happy, OKAY.
When you get a companion pass, you go to Hawaii. I When you get a companion pass, you go to Hawaii. It’s what you do. 💁🏼‍♀️ enjoy this little Maui photo dump! ✨🏝
All I’m saying is Saltwater Prep would fit in pe All I’m saying is Saltwater Prep would fit in perfectly here... 😉🤷🏼‍♀️
Feels like the sun always shines a little brighter Feels like the sun always shines a little brighter on Friday’s... agree?! 🌞 Joe and I just got back negative covid test results which means all things are a go for a trip we have planned on Sunday. 🎉 guesses where! 👇
⚡️🖥 okay y’all let’s talk Etsy vs. Shop ⚡️🖥 okay y’all let’s talk Etsy vs. Shopify cuz this question gets asked A LOT...

💚 Pros of Shopify: apps and integrations make basically anything possible, more robust backend (for coupons specifically), a good option for all e-commerce sellers (not just handmade)

🧡 Pros of Etsy: cost of entry is lowww, no monthly fee, comes with a “built in market” (this is a BIG. DEAL.)

We have both at Saltwater Prep, but the vast majority of our sales still come from Etsy. It’s a good platform. 🤷🏼‍♀️

If I was just starting out with a handmade business, I’d list on Etsy first. Once I earned some $$$, I would look at stats to see where sales are coming from. That’s when I’d decide if it would make sense to start my own website. 🖥

That’s the cliff notes version, friends! Are you on Etsy or Shopify (or both)??
We call this one “venturing into the snow in our We call this one “venturing into the snow in our grandpa sweaters” ❄️ Pretty thrilled with the fact that the only snow we are seeing these days is in photo form. ✨
Andrea Vehige

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