Part 2/9:
Etsy was founded in 2005 in Brooklyn, New York, by Rob Kalin and his team, who envisioned an online platform for independent artisans to connect directly with customers worldwide, free from the restrictions of traditional retail. In its early days, Etsy thrived as a refuge for those seeking one-of-a-kind items crafted with care. Each purchase came with a personalized touch, like handwritten thank-you notes, fostering a sense of community that many consumers cherished.
By 2010, Etsy boasted over a million active users, highlighting the platform's burgeoning success. However, by 2015, when Etsy went public, the original mission began to unwind. Faced with the pressure of shareholder demands, Etsy started to prioritize profit maximization, leading to an erosion of its foundational values.