Why do people start an online store when they’ve never done ecommerce before? How hard is it to get your first sales? And what changes in everyday life once your business is running? 

Today, we’re talking to Elisa Battuello, a 43-year-old psychologist and artist from northern Italy, who turned her dream into reality by opening a Sellvia-powered store in August 2025 – earning $3,100.87 in just a short time. Here’s her journey.

Hi Elisa! Please introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Elisa, 43, from northern Italy. I have a psychology degree and worked as a psychologist in a private clinic for 18 years. 

I’m also an artist – I love painting landscapes and portraits, experimenting with glass and ceramics, and taking nature photos. 

Recently, I started creating Dreamcore videos for social media. I enjoy yoga, meditation, jazz, and spending time outdoors.

How did the idea of starting an online business come up?

I first researched dropshipping back in 2020. It was my dream to open a store, but I felt unsure, and friends told me I wouldn’t manage without marketing experience. 

I listened to their doubts and put the idea aside.

What finally pushed you to take the leap?

My job demanded nearly all my time and energy – I worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., barely taking a break. The stress was constant, and I had no time left for myself or my passions.

Then, in August 2025, everything stopped. I suffered a serious knee injury – a fractured kneecap – that left me stuck in bed for weeks. The pain was intense, and I had to cancel my long-awaited vacation, the first in years. Lying there, I finally had time to reflect and realized how much my job was draining my health and happiness.

That’s when I saw a Sellvia ad for a turnkey store. It felt like a sign – a chance to start over. I clicked “Start for free” immediately. No hesitation, no fear – just action.

One click to guaranteed sales with hands-free promotion!

• Earn up to $400 for every $100 spent
• Access 1+ billion potential customers
• 100% automated: no work, all results

ACTIVATE SELLVIA ADS

Tell us about your first sales – how did they happen?

I launched on August 9 and got 4 orders on August 10. A few more came on the 14th. I didn’t have to do anything complicated – the store arrived fully stocked, and the ads were already prepared for me.

I set a small daily budget ($10/day to start) and turned the ads on. That was it.

Did ads really make a difference for you?

Absolutely. Very quickly, I learned a simple rule: ads on = sales in. Whenever I paused the ads, the orders slowed down immediately.

When I resumed, orders returned – often the very next day. Later, I kept the budget around $12.80/day and still saw steady results.

What results have you achieved so far?

Since launch, I’ve had 227 orders and $3,100.87 in total revenue. 198 orders came through Sellvia ads for about $2K in revenue. 

For a brand-new store run by a beginner recovering from an injury, I’m very happy with that start.

What do you sell? Why that direction?

I like variety and wanted to reach different types of customers, so I built a multi-niche store. 

I started with the product pack that came with my turnkey shop, then added curated packs – US best-sellers with fast shipping, branded denim, back-to-school items, a designer shoes pack, and some digital guides. 

After two months, I had 4,731 products. The range lets me test many ideas and later double down on the winners.

You mentioned “turnkey.” How did Sellvia help in practice?

From day one, I felt supported. The store came with ready-to-sell products, pre-made ad creatives, and a clear setup. I also activated Automated Email Marketing and an SEO boost to grow long-term traffic. 

Plus, I had a growth manager who answered questions and guided me step by step – even with the time-zone difference.

One click to guaranteed sales with hands-free promotion!

• Earn up to $400 for every $100 spent
• Access 1+ billion potential customers
• 100% automated: no work, all results

ACTIVATE SELLVIA ADS

What does your daily routine look like now?

I enjoy staying close to the numbers. Each day I:

• Check ad reports and visits
  
• Process orders (for now, I do this manually because I like it)
  
• Track gross vs. net, ad spend, and product performance in a simple spreadsheet

As I grow, I plan to increase the ad budget gradually and lean more on automation for order processing.

Speaking of automation: how “automatic” can this business be?

Very. I choose to process orders myself right now, but Sellvia supports automated order processing and payouts. 

That means when the volume goes up, I can put more things on autopilot and keep my workload light. The ad system is also simple – you set a budget and let campaigns run with proven creatives.

What were your biggest early lessons?

1. Start small, but start. A tiny ad budget can still bring orders.
   
2. Keep ads consistent. Turning them off breaks the momentum.
   
3. Use the tools. Pre-made creatives, product packs, email automation, and SEO save a lot of time.
   
4. Track everything. Even a basic spreadsheet gives clarity and confidence.
   
5. Trust your instincts. Don’t let other people’s fears decide your future.

How has your life changed since launching your store?

My stress level dropped. I can work from my phone or tablet, at any time, from anywhere. 

I have more time for painting, photography, yoga, and learning English (which I started from scratch to talk to the team). 

The biggest change is emotional: I feel in control. I turned a difficult moment into a new beginning.

What surprised you most about running your store?

How quickly my first sales came in, and how easy the learning curve can be when the platform does the heavy lifting. 

Also, how much confidence you get from seeing your own numbers improve week by week.

Would you consider selling your business for a lump-sum profit?

Not right now – I’m enjoying it too much! But I like that the option exists. 

If one day I want to sell, Sellvia can help with setup, make sure everything runs smoothly, and even find qualified buyers so the store can sell faster and for more. It’s nice to have that flexibility.

What role did content and social media play for you?

I post product videos to Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube – often using ready-made creatives from Sellvia. 

It helps with discovery and building an audience, and it doesn’t take much time because the materials are already there. 

I currently have more than 700 followers on Instagram and over 1,000 on TikTok, and my audience keeps growing as I share more videos and engage with people interested in my products.

What would you say to someone who’s afraid to start?

I waited five years because I listened to doubts – my own and other people’s. My advice: begin anyway. 

Choose a simple setup, use a small daily ad budget, and let the system work. Learn a little every day, and don’t chase perfection before you start.

One click to guaranteed sales with hands-free promotion!

• Earn up to $400 for every $100 spent
• Access 1+ billion potential customers
• 100% automated: no work, all results

ACTIVATE SELLVIA ADS

Please tell us about your experience with Sellvia

I’m truly grateful to the entire Sellvia team for their support and kindness. From the first day, they guided me through every step with patience and professionalism. 

I love how simple and intuitive it is to manage my store – everything is clear, automated, and easy to track.

My growth manager has been amazing, always ready to help and encourage me. 

Thanks to Sellvia, I feel confident running my business even without previous ecommerce experience. It really feels like being part of a supportive family that wants me to succeed.

What’s next for you?

I want to keep growing this store – adding products, improving ads, and strengthening performance in my most profitable niches. 

Later, I might open additional stores. Most of all, I want to keep my lifestyle: calm, creative, and flexible.

Elisa did it, and so can you! Here’s Elisa’s roadmap to success:

1. Multi-Niche Store: Elisa built a flexible, multi-niche store that let her test different categories and attract a wider range of customers.
2. Automated Ads: She promoted her products across five major platforms by activating Sellvia’s full automated Ads system – the engine behind her steady sales.
3. Email Marketing: Elisa boosted engagement and repeat orders with Sellvia’s Automated Email Marketing tool.
4. Social Store Growth: She used the Instagram & TikTok Store tool to turn her social accounts into shopping platforms and grow her audience.
5. Smart Ad Tool: With Sellvia’s FB, Instagram & TikTok Ads tool, she saved time and money by using proven video ads that captivate and convert instantly.
6. SEO Boosters: She activated SEO boosters for her product packages to increase visibility and attract more organic visitors.

One click to guaranteed sales with hands-free promotion!

• Earn up to $400 for every $100 spent
• Access 1+ billion potential customers
• 100% automated: no work, all results

ACTIVATE SELLVIA ADS

Final Thoughts

Elisa’s story shows how a beginner can launch fast, get early traction, and build confidence with a turnkey setup, automated ads, and supportive guidance. 

Her store isn’t just an income stream – it’s a new lifestyle. For Elisa, it’s all about small budgets, easy-to-use tools, steady learning… and the freedom to sell and scale on her own terms.

Elisa’s three takeaways for new owners:

• “Turn the ads on and keep them on.”
  
• “Track your numbers, even in a simple sheet.”
  
• “Don’t let fear – or other people’s doubts – decide your future.”

Start creating the life you’ve dreamed of with a fully done-for-you ecommerce business. We handle the setup, you focus on growing – plus enjoy a $100 voucher to begin.