Who CreatedEtsy?
Etsy was founded by Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik in June 2005. Learn the complete story of how a carpenter's frustration turned into a $13 billion global marketplace.
The Quick Answer
Etsy was created by three co-founders in 2005
Here are the people who built it:
Rob Kalin
Primary Founder
Artist & carpenter with the vision
Chris Maguire
Co-Founder
Web developer who built the platform
Haim Schoppik
Co-Founder
Developer who coded the site
Founded: June 2005, Brooklyn, New York
Meet the Three Founders of Etsy
Three visionaries who turned a simple idea into a global marketplace
Rob Kalin
Primary Founder & Visionary
Background: Carpenter, artist, and photography student at NYU
Contribution: Conceived the idea for Etsy after struggling to sell his handmade furniture online. Established the company's vision around handmade goods and artisan culture.
Tenure: CEO: 2005-2008, 2009-2011
Chris Maguire
Technical Co-Founder
Background: Web developer met through GetCrafty.com
Contribution: Built the original Etsy platform architecture and infrastructure. Handled backend development and database systems.
Tenure: Early years, departed before IPO
Haim Schoppik
Technical Co-Founder
Background: Web developer met through GetCrafty.com
Contribution: Worked alongside Maguire on Etsy's software development. Focused on frontend and user experience.
Tenure: Early years, departed before IPO
The Etsy Origin Story
🪵The Problem: A Carpenter Without a Marketplace
In 2004, Rob Kalin was a young carpenter and photography student at New York University. He crafted beautiful handmade wooden furniture but faced a frustrating problem: there was no good place to sell it online. eBay was dominated by mass-produced goods, and Amazon wasn't focused on handmade items. The existing platforms didn't understand or serve artisans and craftspeople.
💡The Idea: A Marketplace Just for Makers
Kalin envisioned something different: an online marketplace built specifically for people who make things. A place where artisans could connect directly with buyers who valued unique, handcrafted products. He imagined recreating the feeling of a local craft fair online—personal connections, unique items, and a community of makers supporting each other.
🤝The Team: Finding Technical Partners
Kalin had the vision but needed technical help to build it. Through GetCrafty.com—a popular crafting community website—he connected with web developers Chris Maguire and Haim Schoppik. The three complemented each other perfectly: Kalin provided the creative vision and understanding of the artisan community, while Maguire and Schoppik brought the programming skills to make it real.
🚀The Launch: June 2005
Working from a small apartment in Brooklyn, the three founders built and launched Etsy in just a few months. The initial platform was simple but functional—sellers could list handmade items, set their prices, and connect with buyers. The Brooklyn craft community was the first to embrace it, and word spread quickly through maker circles. Etsy had found its first users.
Etsy Timeline: From Startup to $13B Marketplace
The Idea is Born
Rob Kalin, a carpenter making handmade furniture, struggles to find an online marketplace for artisan goods. He envisions a platform specifically for handmade items.
Etsy Launches
In June 2005, Etsy officially launches from Brooklyn, New York. The three co-founders—Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik—release the platform for handmade goods.
Rapid Growth Begins
Etsy gains traction in the craft community. The platform attracts sellers and buyers interested in unique, handmade products. The company raises early funding.
First Major Funding
Etsy raises $3.25 million in Series A funding. The marketplace reaches significant seller and transaction milestones.
Leadership Change
Rob Kalin steps down as CEO. Maria Thomas becomes CEO, bringing more traditional business experience to the growing company.
Rob Kalin Returns
Rob Kalin returns as CEO. The company continues to grow and refine its focus on handmade and vintage goods.
Chad Dickerson Era
Rob Kalin departs for the final time. Chad Dickerson becomes CEO and leads Etsy toward professionalization and eventually its IPO.
B Corp Certification
Etsy becomes a certified B Corporation, recognizing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility alongside profits.
IPO on NASDAQ
Etsy goes public on April 16, 2015. IPO priced at $16/share, valuing the company at $1.8 billion. Stock surges on first day of trading.
Josh Silverman Takes Over
Josh Silverman becomes CEO and implements strategic changes to improve profitability and seller success. Stock price begins significant recovery.
COVID-19 Boom
Etsy experiences massive growth during the pandemic as sellers pivot to masks and home goods. Annual sales exceed $10 billion for the first time.
Today
Etsy is a global marketplace with 90+ million buyers, 8+ million sellers, and $13+ billion in annual merchandise sales across 230+ countries.
Etsy by the Numbers
Why Is It Called "Etsy"?
The name "Etsy" was chosen by founder Rob Kalin, and its origin has a few stories:
- Italian inspiration: Kalin has said he was watching Federico Fellini's film "8½" and heard the Italian phrase "eh, sì" (pronounced eh-tsee), meaning "oh, yes." He liked the sound.
- Latin roots: Some interpret it as related to "et si," Latin for "what if"—fitting for a creative marketplace.
- Intentionally meaningless: Kalin wanted a word with no pre-existing meaning, making it easier to brand and own as a company name.
The result: A short, memorable, unique name that's now synonymous with handmade and creative goods worldwide.
Etsy Today: What the Founders Built
🌍Global Reach
- • Operations in 230+ countries and territories
- • Over 90 million active buyers worldwide
- • Nearly 8 million active sellers
- • Multiple currencies and languages supported
💰Financial Scale
- • $13+ billion in annual merchandise sales
- • Publicly traded on NASDAQ (ETSY)
- • Market cap of $10-15 billion (varies)
- • Profitable with growing revenue
🏢The Company
- • Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York
- • 2,700+ employees globally
- • Josh Silverman as CEO (since 2017)
- • Acquired Depop, Elo7, Reverb subsidiaries
🎨Product Categories
- • Handmade items (still the core)
- • Vintage goods (20+ years old)
- • Craft supplies
- • Digital downloads
The Founders' Legacy
What They Got Right
- • Identified a real gap: No marketplace existed for artisans—they created one.
- • Built community first: Focused on sellers as a community, not just customers.
- • Authentic mission: The handmade focus differentiated Etsy from Amazon and eBay.
- • Timing: Launched as e-commerce was exploding and the maker movement was growing.
Challenges They Faced
- • Scaling leadership: Rob Kalin struggled with the CEO role as the company grew.
- • Handmade vs. growth: Balancing the handmade mission with business growth tension.
- • Professionalization: Transitioning from startup culture to public company.
- • Policy enforcement: Keeping mass-produced goods off a platform at scale.
Their Lasting Impact
- • Created an industry: Inspired countless maker marketplaces and creator economy platforms.
- • Empowered millions: Enabled 8+ million people to start businesses from home.
- • Changed shopping: Made buying handmade mainstream for 90+ million buyers.
- • B Corp movement: Pioneered socially responsible business at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about Etsy's creators and history.
This guide provides historical information about Etsy's founding. Company details and statistics are based on publicly available information and may have changed. Check official sources for the most current data.
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