Bellingen’s Cath Young started her online homewares shop seven years ago and is one of Australia’s most successful sellers on Etsy.

The e-commerce website showcases handmade and vintage goods.

Ms Young is looking to help others wanting to start their online business by running a series of workshops in conjunction with ETC.

ETC’s business adviser Marilyn Breen said the workshops would cover tips for setting up an online shop such as photography that best showcased your wares, distribution and pricing.

“The practical workshop will help start-up, small and home-based businesses take a major step forward in building a viable and profitable business enterprise,” she said.

Ms Young will draw on her experience starting and growing her business My Bearded Pigeon which features cushions and wall hangings made from hand-designed fabrics.

“My Bearded Pigeon now brings in around $80,000 a year, employs a seamstress part-time and pays my husband Neil for some of the administration tasks,” Ms Young said.

According to Ms Young, Etsy is the ideal place for anyone wanting to start a business.

“The outlay is tiny and your shop can grow with you,” she said.

“You can add items at your leisure, and if you are going on holidays, you can put your shop in vacation mode.

“Etsy charges a very small commission of 3.5 per cent and only if you sell something; they don’t make money unless we do,” Ms Young said.

She said Etsy was the perfect place to sell what you made and reach a global audience, all from home.

Etsy features 1.6 million shops.

There are 24 million people looking, adding favourites and buying through Etsy.

The Etsy Seller Success workshop is in Port Macquarie on September 2 from 10am to 1pm.

A booking is required to attend.

Go to www.etcbiz.eventbrite.com.au for more workshop information.