Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emily Farrales, founder of La Duchesse Official, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.

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

La Duchesse Official is a high-quality gold-filled and plated jewelry; we ensure all of our pieces are free of lead, nickel, and hypoallergenic. Above all, La Duchesse Official's mission is to empower and elevate your everyday style.

La Duchesse Official embody and celebrate diversity, equality, and sustainability. We believe our customers deserve luxury without the high mark-up. This is why we hand-select and source our gold-filled and plated jewelry from trusted vendors to ensure the craftsmanship and excellence of our pieces are unparalleled. For us at La Duchesse Official, all women are queens and deserve to pamper themselves like one.

Tell us about yourself

I was born and raised in the Philippines. As a 3/4 Filipino and 1/4 Chinese fully Immersed in both culture and traditions, I grew up being and living in a diverse setting.

In 2015 I moved to the states. Being an immigrant and as a minority, I've experienced obstacles in the process such as immigration paper works, not knowing where to begin with my career, feeling outcast, the difficulty in meeting and creating new genuine friends, etc. it was hard, only my husband know what I was going through internally, and I am blessed to have his and his family's love and support through the years.

In 2018 when my father lost the fight against cancer and passed away, I looked to content creation being a micro-influencer as an outlet for my creative passions. I co-founded a community of Filipino Bloggers and Creatives in San Francisco called Halo-halo collective. Our mission was to create a safe space for all FilipinX creatives where we can gather, share experiences and empower one another. https://www.wheninmanila.com/halo-halo-collective-community-of-filipino-bloggers-creatives-san-francisco/

In early 2019, When the pandemic hits, we couldn't continue, but the connections and friendships we built through the community last to this day. And so, during those times, I knew in my heart I needed to continue the mission to empower even in my little way simply, and that's when I launched La Duchesse Official.

In essence, La Duchesse Official Is a way to empower and inspire all women with boldness, elegance, and grace. Each hand-crafted collection was made to celebrate the divine feminine's authenticity and inherent power in its unique way. Much like each piece of jewelry radiates exquisiteness, so do every one of us. Above all, we all shine in our own light.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being able to start with nothing but faith and build something on my own, although the circumstances (pandemic), most especially each time I receive positive feedback from my customers letting me know how wearing LDO makes them feel empowered, are the biggest accomplishments that make me feel grateful as a business owner.

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

For a small business owner who mainly sells products online, I say, It's the up and down of inconsistent sales, especially in the first year of launching. Plus, the jewelry business is oversaturated. I need to spend long days and sleepless nights looking and sourcing for unique pieces.

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

  1. It is possible to do it on your own but do ask for help and allow others to help you. Collaborating with others will give you better ideas and create beautiful connections.
  2. Research! Research! Research! You could save yourself from spending too much money on something if you do your research first.
  3. If you want to launch a business, start small but don't have a "for now" mindset. You can start with a small inventory, but don't rush into finalizing marketing and packaging materials until you are 101% satisfied with it.
  4. Don't get those logos printed in all your marketing materials and packaging print yet! Sleep on it and get samples first. When I first started, I've made these mistakes from having a "for now" mindset. I thought I was saving some money but ended up wasting it in the end. Same thing with how you want your packaging to look and feel! Always go back to number two, RESEARCH! Before you finalized everything! And finally,
  5. Just start. When I first moved here, I already had a business in mind but kept keeping it on hold due to fear of the unknown. 6 years later, I realized it was just me all along who've been making up all the reasons for me not to do it.

Whether you are thinking of launching a brand or doing something you are passionate about, stop waiting for the perfect time; JUST START.
Fear comes from the devil and faith comes from God. Fear and faith require us to believe in something that hasn't happened yet, and it both requires the same energy from us, so why not choose faith over fear?

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://laduchesseofficial.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaDuchesseOfficial/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/laduchesse.official/
https://www.instagram.com/emstateofmind/

Email: laduchesseofficial@gmail.com

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.