We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariana Mcfadden. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariana below.

Alright, Mariana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is deeply personal. As a mom and immigrant from Mexico, I faced the challenge of building a career that allowed me to be present for my daughters and my husband while also creating financial stability. Without family support in the U.S., I needed something flexible—something that would give me the freedom to work on my own terms. That’s when I discovered e-commerce and Etsy.

At first, it was overwhelming. I had to learn everything from scratch—how to set up a store, find the right products, and market them effectively. There were moments of doubt, frustration, and trial and error. But once I figured it out, I realized something powerful: this is something other women—especially moms—could do too.

That’s why I started my Etsy mentorship program and online course. I wanted to make the process easier for others, giving them the roadmap I wish I had when I started. My goal is to empower women to create online businesses that give them the flexibility, freedom, and financial independence they deserve.

Beyond e-commerce, I also believe in community and support. Whether through my fitness group, local cultural initiatives, or online mentorship program, my mission is to uplift and encourage others to build something meaningful. It’s not just about making money—it’s about creating a life that aligns with our values and priorities.

This mission is deeply meaningful to me because I’ve lived through the struggles of balancing family, work, and personal growth. Now, I get to help others overcome those same challenges and build a better future for themselves and their families. That’s what keeps me going every single day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Mariana McFadden, and I am an e-commerce entrepreneur, mentor, and community builder. My journey into the world of online business began out of necessity—I wanted to create a flexible and sustainable source of income that allowed me to prioritize my family while building something meaningful.

I specialize in helping beginners launch successful Etsy stores, with a focus on the Print on Demand (POD) business model. Through my mentorship program and online course, I guide aspiring entrepreneurs—especially moms like me—through the process of setting up their stores, finding the right products, and making consistent sales.

What Sets Me Apart?
What makes my approach different is that I’ve lived the journey myself. I started with no prior experience in e-commerce, learning through trial and error. Now, I take everything I’ve learned and break it down into clear, actionable steps, saving my students time, stress, and unnecessary mistakes.

Beyond e-commerce, I believe in the power of community. I’m deeply involved in cultural initiatives in Austin, Texas, where I collaborate with local consulates, entrepreneurs, and creatives to promote art and culture. I also run a fitness community, where I encourage women to prioritize their health and mindset while pursuing their business goals.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the impact I’ve made in the lives of my students and community. Seeing women launch their Etsy stores, gain financial independence, and build businesses that align with their lifestyles is the most fulfilling part of my work. It’s not just about business—it’s about empowerment, flexibility, and freedom.

What I Want Readers to Know
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting an online business but felt overwhelmed, unsure, or stuck, I’m here to help. My mentorship program and course are designed to make e-commerce simple and approachable, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to grow an existing shop.

My goal is to show others—especially moms and aspiring entrepreneurs—that it’s possible to create a business that fits your life, not the other way around.

Let’s build something amazing together!

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I sell on Etsy and eBay, and I love these platforms because they make it so much easier to get started without having to build a website from scratch. Both already have millions of shoppers looking for unique products, so instead of spending all my time trying to bring in traffic, I can focus on creating great listings and optimizing my shop.

Why Etsy & eBay?
Etsy is amazing for custom and creative products, which is perfect for my Print on Demand (POD) business—think t-shirts, mugs, tumblers, and personalized gifts. eBay, on the other hand, is more open-ended and lets me experiment with different types of products.

What I Love About Selling on These Platforms:
✔️ They already have shoppers – No need to worry about driving all the traffic myself.
✔️ Super easy to set up – No coding, no complicated tech—just list your products and start selling.
✔️ Built-in trust – People feel safer buying from known platforms, which helps new sellers get sales faster.

Some Downsides…
❌ Fees, fees, fees – Etsy and eBay take their cut, so you have to factor that into pricing.
❌ Lots of competition – Standing out takes effort, from SEO to branding to amazing product photos.
❌ Not 100% in my control – If Etsy or eBay decide to change their policies (or worse, shut down my shop), I have to adjust.

My Take on It
For beginners, Etsy and eBay are a no-brainer because they let you start selling fast without a huge upfront investment. Selling online is all about learning, adapting, and growing. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, it’s about finding what works for you and having fun in the process!

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

How I Got Started
My journey into e-commerce started in a completely unexpected way—I was simply selling my own clothes on Facebook Marketplace. People started showing interest, and soon, they were asking me if I had the same styles in different sizes. That’s when my husband and I had an idea: why not create our own t-shirts?

We started small, using a vinyl cutting machine to make custom designs at home. As demand grew, we invested in two industrial DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printers, which allowed us to print higher-quality designs faster. For a while, our entire production was running from home, but as the business kept expanding, we reached a big decision point:

Should we rent a space and run a full production facility?
Or should we partner with a large-scale Print on Demand (POD) company?
For me, time and flexibility have always been a priority. I didn’t want to be tied down to managing production and logistics, especially as a mom. That’s why I chose to partner with a Print on Demand company. This decision gave me the freedom to scale my business without the stress of running a full manufacturing operation—and most importantly, it allowed me to spend more time with my family and focus on growing other businesses as well.

Lessons I’ve Learned About Working with Vendors
✅ Always order samples first – What looks great online doesn’t always match in real life. Testing products helped me make sure I was offering high-quality items.
✅ Customer service matters – A good supplier isn’t just about quality, but also how well they handle issues when things go wrong.
✅ Shipping times are key – Especially in e-commerce, fast and reliable shipping keeps customers happy and reduces complaints.
✅ Stay adaptable – The world of POD is always changing. Some products become more popular, some suppliers change their policies, and new trends emerge, so staying flexible is important.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marianamcfadden.mykajabi.com/tienda-etsy-principiantes
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianamcfadden/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianamcfadden91