Rob Kalin on Crafting Etsy’s Next Move

Five years after launching handmade-goods marketplace Etsy out of his Brooklyn, N.Y., apartment, co-founder and chief executive officer Rob Kalin wants to expand the 150-person company’s reach overseas while keeping its community feel intact. In August, Etsy hired a former Google executive as chief operating officer and closed a $20 million venture capital round. Now, the company is investing in improving customer support and recruiting more top talent.

With some 5 million members, Etsy’s revenue was $15 million to $20 million in 2009, says Kalin, 30, and he expects around $40 million this year. He spoke recently with Bloomberg.com contributor Meg Shannon about lessons learned, rumors of an IPO, and hiring strategy. Edited excerpts of their conversations follow.