"Oh yes" in Italian sounds like "Et see." That's how Rob Kalin found the name for what would become the world's largest handmade marketplace.

The Brooklyn Beginning

In June 2005, Etsy was launched from a Brooklyn apartment. Rob Kalin, along with Chris Maguire and Haim Schoppik, wanted to build a platform specifically for handmade goods - a cheaper alternative to eBay aimed at sellers of handmade items.

Over two months, with Kalin designing and Maguire and Schoppik writing code, they built a modest e-commerce tool. Each merchant would get a free online storefront and would pay just 10 cents for a four-month listing, plus a 3.5 percent commission.

Community First

What set Etsy apart wasn't just the pricing - it was the community. Kalin personally reached out to sellers, inviting them to join. He would contact artists and crafters out of the blue, offering them a free workspace and support.

Being on Etsy exposed makers' work to independent retailers and fashion writers who regularly turned to the site to discover new styles.

Scaling the Values

The challenge for Etsy was maintaining its community values while scaling. Kalin was deeply committed to the platform's mission - even making his own underwear and bread with "near religious fervor" according to one profile.

But building a company and maintaining idealism proved difficult. Kalin stepped down from CEO multiple times, eventually leaving in 2011.

The Public Company

Etsy went public in 2015 and is now valued at approximately $45 billion. The platform hosts millions of sellers and has become the go-to destination for unique, handmade, and vintage items.

The model Kalin pioneered - low fees, community focus, maker-first approach - has influenced countless creator marketplaces since.