Etsy isn't just about coffee koozies and repurposed doilies. The ecommerce site may host online storefronts for handmade, vintage and repurposed items, but it also fosters a future for many an aspiring entrepreneur — a pursuit far more priceless than the items it sells.

In fact, Etsy's user friendly interface and robust marketing tools have rendered it comparable to eBay, especially in terms of the companies' sales trajectories. Between 2010 and 2011, Etsy's sales increased by 71% — its 875,000 shop owners now sell an average of 2.9 million items per month.

Etsy even maintains a powerful presence offsite, too. Its iPhone app earned 1 million downloads in four months, and its site contents account for the most pinned items on Pinterest.

The folks at MBAOnline.com compiled research into an infographic that tells the story of Etsy's impact on both small business owners and the ecommerce industry in general.

Thumbnail image courtesy of iStockphoto, Nadzeya_Kizilava