How it all started…
It all started at my workplace. At first, it was just a part of my job, but I slowly found myself getting more and more interested in designing my own creations. Before I knew it, I had bought my own assortment of beads, charms, tools, organizers, and more! I spent hours shopping online for beads/charms that matched my aesthetic and started making bracelets and earrings. After I made my first pair of earrings with a matching bracelet, my friends and family told me that they looked really good and that I should sell them! I wasn’t 100% sure at first, but I didn’t dismiss the idea and I said I’d give it some thought.
The beginnings of my small business
I knew that starting a small business took a lot of work and that it’d be a lot to keep track of, especially with my two jobs already. But then I thought about it. I grew up buying jewelry from stores like Claire’s, Icing, H&M, Forever 21, etc. I had always been able to find something that I liked, but it was never exactly what I pictured myself wearing. Now that I’ve picked up this hobby that allows myself to create exactly what I have pictured in my mind, I think it’s great to be able to share it with others. Especially those who have similar taste and want something more unique than what is available at department stores and such. So, I did my research and filed all the necessary paperwork and started thinking of my business name as well as making new social media accounts.
Pictured on the right is the first pair of earrings I ever made! They are not perfect by any means but they remind me of where I started.
During My Soft Launch…
Once I had my social media accounts and the necessary paperwork, I started up my Instagram store posting pictures and thinking of prices for my pieces. I tried to keep my prices as affordable as possible while making sure that I wouldn’t be putting myself in a hard situation by doing so. I announced my soft launch on my personal Instagram and immediately, I got a few orders from friends and people I knew! I was so excited and grateful and went straight to making their orders. However, I severely underestimated how much it cost for all the materials, shipping, transaction fees, etc. It nearly cost me money to ship out an order instead of making any profit at all. So, I calculated the average cost of shipping a small package across the U.S. and figured out a standard pricing formula that I could use for every piece and so far, it’s been working out. I am super thankful for everyone who ordered from me during my soft launch as I was still figuring things out!
And now…
I’m here! I’ve created my own Etsy shop, website, and business cards. For right now, my website is only for blogging and for people who want to learn more about my business, as it is too costly for me to sell on both my website and Etsy. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little bit about my business!
Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope to connect with you soon! :)
-Mindy