Thinking about selling your own granola, aprons, syrups, or other products online? Thanks to website builders like Shopify and platforms like Etsy, opening an online store is easier than ever. It also comes in handy as a source of income as freelance budgets continue to tighten. Hear from three different writer/entrepreneurs about the pros and cons of selling products — and advice they wish they had learned before they started.
Kristin Donnelly is the author of "Modern Potluck" and is a freelance writer, editor, recipe developer, and recipe tester. While she was a food editor at Food & Wine, she launched Stewart & Claire, a line of lip balms inspired by food and cocktails. She runs this company today from her home in New Hope, PA.
Casey Barber is a food writer, photographer, and illustrator; the author of "Pierogi Love: New Takes on an Old-World Comfort Food" and "Classic Snacks Made from Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand-Name Treats"; and editor of the website Good. Food. Stories. Casey is also the founder of The Casey BarberSHOP, an online retail store for pop culture-inspired gifts.
Ashley Rodriguez is a Seattle-based food consultant, cooking instructor, food photographer, author of "Date Night In," wife, and mother of three. As the creator of notwithoutsalt.com Ashley blogs about life as told through food. Before she began writing, Ashley worked in several professional kitchens including Wolfgang Puck's Spago in Beverly Hills. Now, Ashley teaches in and around Seattle, and in her new storefront, the Not Without Salt Shop.