LIVERMORE (KPIX 5) – Alicia Shaffer is on her way to becoming a self-made millionaire, from what she started as a hobby.
Nearly four years ago, the mom from Livermore put together hand-made headbands for her clothing boutique and then started selling them on online craft marketplace Etsy. Her username is Three Bird Nest, inspired by her children.
“I really wanted to be able to sell the products and make a few extra dollars for dance lessons or soccer or whatnot for my children,” Shaffer told KPIX 5.
Her first week, she sold about three items. Three weeks later, business boomed and Shaffer received 90 orders in one day.
“I cried, literally. I mean it was 3 a.m. and I had no idea how I was going to get the orders done for people before Christmas,” Shaffer said.
That was the moment her hobby became her career. She sold her boutique and slowly enlisted the help the other Bay Area moms to put together her designs.
“Our goal is to provide something to our customer that is going to complement her style,” Shaffer said
Today, Three Bird Nest averages 150 orders a day, that number more than triples during the holidays. It adds up to an average of $75,000 in sales a month.
Shaffer said, “I want to continue to see Three Bird Nest grow. I want it to be a household name.”
As for her secret, Shaffer said there is none. Just hard work, and a supportive family.
“Three Bird Nest has allowed us to do so many things as a family to be able to have more time together, which to me is how I define success,” Shaffer said.
