Seller Handbook

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the rich stories behind some of the most inspiring designs and curations from Etsy’s Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and Latinx communities.

"I love jewelry that says something about the person who's wearing it," says Chicago-based designer Jessica Little. "It ties into an important lesson that I've learned this year: You're allowed to be unapologetic in your identity. No one else gets to tell you who you are, what you could be, or how much you can achieve."

Jessica launched Jess a Little Shop in March of 2020, when her work as an actress took an unexpected hit due to COVID-19. "I started my business a week before we went into quarantine in Chicago," says Jessica. "Running a small business out of a one-bedroom apartment with my husband and brand new puppy during a pandemic was extremely challenging—especially at the beginning when I was still figuring things out."

Crediting the support of her partner and access to resources and opportunities for artists in the Chicago area, she's taken the challenge in stride and found herself feeling empowered through the process. Now with over 500 sales and glowing reviews from repeat customers, she's encouraging others to follow their own creative aspirations.

Read on to learn more about what inspires her designs, and how she's encouraging her customers to celebrate self expression.

What does celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

To me, Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to honor the many individuals who have paved the way for the rest of us. As an Afro-Latina artist, I experience my fair share of barriers, but when I stop and look at all the opportunities within my reach, I am so thankful to those people who came before me. I’m thankful that I can be one of many women-owned, BIPOC-owned, Afro-Latina-owned small businesses and I don’t live in a time where just any one of those things would make me an anomaly in my field.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I draw inspiration from all around me! Sometimes it’s art or textiles, sometimes it’s nature, and sometimes it’s just a feeling I’m having. I also draw on my Latin-Caribbean heritage—especially the women who came before me. Even during the difficult periods of their lives, those women still found time to dance in the sun and find joy togetherness. They found ways to celebrate their culture through music, food, and art.

Their use of color has played a big part in my designs. I use a lot of vibrant and saturated colors, and I think that comes from my Caribbean heritage. You can really see in the houses and even the way Caribbean people dress that they are so inspired by their gorgeous surroundings.

Can you tell us a bit about your workspace and routine? What does an average day look like for you?

There really are no average days when it comes to juggling my business and my career as an actress! I have a studio space in my home where I work and create my designs. The lighting in there is great and of course, working from home comes with its advantages.

Sometimes balancing both can be pretty exhausting, but I love having the flexibility to work on fulfilling orders or creating new designs when I’m not auditioning or shooting. I make a point of taking a quiet moment to myself first thing in the morning. I'll make a cup of coffee or tea, find a sunny corner, and just spend a few minutes meditating and greeting the day. Ultimately, it's very fulfilling to me to make a living through my art.

What’s something you struggled with when opening your shop?

I've always struggled with maintaining a consistent schedule. My business is constantly growing and changing, and I've had to learn so many things on the fly. Running the show all by yourself is never easy! I’ve learned to ask for help when I need it and be realistic about my time. I’m also trying to learn the importance of rest and taking a break when you need it.

Another important lesson I learned is to focus on making things I really like and trust that my people, my customers, will find me. You can burn out so quickly if you’re trying to figure out what is popular or how to keep up with your competition, but focusing on myself and what I’m passionate about has never failed me.

What sort of effect do you hope your work and your products will have on your customers?

My biggest desire is that my designs will make people feel great about the way they look. I hear people say all the time that they wish they could wear bigger statement pieces and my philosophy is that there is no reason why you can’t wear exactly what you want. Does it make you feel like a queen? Then absolutely wear it!

I hope my earrings give people the confidence to be unapologetic in their self-expression. I hope they remind people, “You are enough and you are incredible just the way they are.”

Visit Jess a Little Shop to explore more of Jessica's designs

Photography by Jessica Little