Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christine Olson, designer, and owner of JoeLuc, located in Milwaukee, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have a jewelry company - dedicated to my grandparents. My customers are mainly women in their 20-30s; whenever meeting with them, I am always overwhelmed with gratitude because not only are they incredibly supportive, but they respect and understand the material we mainly work with, which is 14/20 gold-filled. It's easy to get confused by product descriptions about "gold," but I always appreciate how much my customers want to understand about it and how to respect the money they are spending and use that knowledge to be a smarter consumer!
Tell us about yourself
I moved to California for school when I was 17 - there was a lot to learn, good and bad, but I always immersed myself in every and any creative outlet it could. My best friend opened a store in Venice on Abbot Kinney, and it's sort of where she pushed me to sell these ear chains I was making for myself. It snowballed from there, from friends selling it for me to more stores picking it up & I knew I wanted to create more pieces people loved. It was a good feeling, and I believe when something feels light and exciting, you should put the gas on the floor and go.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Free People picked me up in the Fall of 2017, in stores and online, "branded," which means JoeLuc was represented in over 1000K stores and on their site.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
You think you have to figure it ALL out, and it can get overwhelming and frustrating, but you don't need to have it all together to get started. That big sale will push you to figure out production, costs and how to maximize that, and so on.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Don't let yourself talk yourself out of it; start small with one thing and keep going that will build it up. Number 1 is sales & customer service, and you still start to flow with your systems and processes, and the business will mold around it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.joelucjewel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelucjewel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelucjewel/
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.
