Make the Intangible, Tangible

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Briar de Wolfe, a jewelry artist based in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Briar de Wolfe is a jewelry brand that creates good luck pieces to embolden and inspire. Each piece is made to celebrate and document unique journeys at every crossroad and milestone. Our customers shop with us for that special little something as a reminder to stay positive, grounded, and focused on their unique path to self-discovery.

Tell us about yourself

With the growing interest that had developed from patrons of the workshop, this brand developed from hosting jewelry carving workshops into an online retailer. What motivates the creative process is a passion for sharing positive and supportive symbols inspired by various art forms around the world, across the times. It's a way of looking back at the archives of history and bringing forth those inspiring elements in a beautiful way to celebrate the evolution of art and culture.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Starting from scratch, briar de wolfe is a bootstrapped company. Rather than use limited resources on expensive marketing strategies, we've turned to alternative ways to market the brand. We've generated new interest through partnerships that are aligned with the brand's passion and values. We continue to reach new levels of growth as the platform expands through various campaigns and programs.

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

Every business faces unforeseen challenges at all levels of business. These are galvanizing experiences that give you valuable education that no one else can teach you. Learning to stay focused by reframing how obstacles are perceived is key. It's important to see challenges as something to be celebrated and accepted as an opportunity for growth. It's one of the toughest things that come with business--showing up even when you feel close to defeat.

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

For individuals who are looking to start a business, it's really important to believe in yourself and what you are pursuing. That is the only thing that will keep you going when nothing looks right on the surface.
On approaching the various tasks ahead, it may feel daunting and overwhelming. Imagine your starting point for each day as a block of clay or a sculpture that is a work in progress. Every day that you show up to work on your business, you are adding or removing a piece of clay to bring it one move closer to how you envision it to be. Be patient with the process.
Trust yourself. You've gotten to the point where you've finally taken that big step forward into entrepreneurship. Take the next step forward in the direction that feels right, and instead of looking back, refer to your business plan--whatever format it's in. Looking back can often make room for unnecessary doubt, and that can make those unexpected obstacles to development feel even more challenging.

There is a definite opportunity for anyone who struggles with personal limitations and mental health to still pursue entrepreneurship, and we'd like to bring light to those individuals. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating in different stages of growth. Reading stories about how other people have overcome their own perceived limitations in their pursuit is helpful in gaining perspective and feeling less alone. David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants' by Malcolm Gladwell is a highly recommended book on this subject.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://briardewolfe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briar.dewolfe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briardewolfe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/briardewolfe

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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