Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Twila Brown, Founder of Arm Confetti, located in Lexington, KY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Arm Confetti is an accessory brand created to help celebrate the people, places, and things that matter most! While we offer statement bracelets that highlight trending colors and materials, creating personalized pieces is the heart of the brand. Everyone loves a fun bracelet, and our goal is to create fun, must-have pieces that are an accessible price point for everyone.

Tell us about yourself

I always joke that Arm Confetti was an accidental brand! After 20+ years of building a successful career in retail leadership, I found myself as a "covid casualty" when my position as Director of Retail for Draper James was eliminated during the pandemic. One day while I was in Hobby Lobby, I picked up a bead kit and decided to make bracelets with my kids' names on them. I happened to post a picture on Instagram, and I started getting DMs from friends asking where I ordered them from, if I sold them, etc. Being the ambitious and unemployed person that I was, I quickly responded, "YES! I DO!" without hesitation. And as they say... the rest is history!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

In October of 2021, I had the opportunity to visit Israel. While there, I met an amazing jewelry designer who had recently started creating resin beads containing flower petals from the country's various regions. We hit it off, and I knew I wanted to work with her. When I returned to the States, she and I connected via Facetime. We discussed how we could collaborate using her Israel beads with my Arm Confetti creations. I placed a bulk order of her beads and launched the Arm Confetti Israel Collaboration in January 2022. It was my highest sales volume month to date. I was completely surprised and humbled. (If you believe in God winks, and I do, this was definitely one!)

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

You are always ON. You are constantly thinking about your business, telling others about it, and doing "it." As a momtrepreneur, it can be really challenging to manage a family and household AND run a business. A lot of my work gets done after everyone has gone to bed.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be consistent. You have to keep posting, creating, brainstorming, and sharing. I sell when I consistently post my creations on social media daily. When I don't, I'm broke!
  2. Dare to dream BIG. Always think of the bigger one and actually go for it! Last summer, I was shopping in a cute boutique with my niece, who was 12 at the time. She looked at me and said, "Tata, you should try to sell your bracelets here." Wholesale. I have worked in retail forever, but it took a child telling me to think bigger! I now have three wholesale accounts I work with and am actively seeking more.
  3. Find a few solid mentors. The people who know what they are doing and have been successful. People who will cheer for you, encourage you, and answer your questions along the way. These people are worth their weight in gold.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Two things - First, people will forget what you said, people forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Make your business personal. Know your customers and make them feel special and important. Because they are, and this is what will set your business apart.

Second, life is short. Don't just sit there and hold on to your confetti. Throw it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://twilabrown.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3cB6sfN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arm.confetti/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/twila/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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