Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alexa Allamano, owner of Foamy Wader, located in Langley, WA, USA.

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

Delicate jewelry for refined sea lovers. Our nautical meets minimalist style of sustainable jewelry is inspired by the seaside and handmade by a small team on Whidbey Island. Made to order in custom inclusive sizes and waterproof metals of Silver, Gold Filled, and solid 14K Gold. Designed to be beautifully worn alone for the ultra-minimalist or in shimmering layers of metallic necklaces and ring stacks. Guaranteed for life!

Tell us about yourself

I'm a Sagittarius sun/Virgo moon/cancer rising. I first started teaching myself to wire-wrap beads in 2007 as a creative outlet from my then-day job in banking compliance. As a mid-size woman, I had long been frustrated with the often limited sizing commonly available from jewelers and retailers. I set out to make jewelry that was size-inclusive to celebrate the individual wearer's body in pieces that were made to fit them properly. And made to last with the promise of free repairs for life - to ensure quality, customer satisfaction, and sustainability.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

So hard to choose! The biggest overcome challenges come to mind first: a store burglary, relocating (twice), closing/pivoting during the pandemic, and innovating window shopping. Mixed with the times that brought the most pride: teaching about window shopping and sustainable business practices being featured in the press like Inc, Entrepreneur, and The Seattle Times and an interview on local news. But I think the single thing I feel most accomplished in as a business owner is growing a sustainable business with integrity and a loyal following that's come almost exclusively from organic marketing.

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

Every single decision ultimately falls to you, and you have to accept the outcome. My friend Rosalie Gale of Ugly Baby in Seattle puts it, "you are making these choices."

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

Make your business as eco-friendly/sustainable as possible, find a way to serve your customers first and foremost with less focus on revenue, and use critical thinking when deciding if each new flashy trend or app is beneficial to both you and your clientele. One more for good measure - skip the "join our newsletter" pop-up. It's not worth annoying your site visitors for the limited subscribes (who tricked everyone into this in the first place??)

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Plan to be adaptable! The only constant changes it serves you to be able to adapt as the world inevitably shifts.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://foamywader.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoamyWader/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foamywader/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/foamywader/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-allamano-aa36b919/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.