Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kyle Ferbey, CEO of Legend Rings, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business is Legend Rings. We specialize in creating custom championship rings for sports teams of all ages across North America. We’ve been fortunate enough to partner with incredible schools such as Harvard, Texas A&M, Boston College & Baylor (to name a few). When I started Legend Rings, having a team that understood and had as much passion for sports as I did was extremely important. As Legend Rings continues to grow and evolve, I take pride in saying that we are a family run with a tight-knit team that’s worked together for years. As sports lovers, we all understand how powerful and important it is when you win a championship. Those events become some of the best memories that you look back on throughout life. When you create a ring to illustrate that story, it’s a very meaningful experience that we respect and honour.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve always had a passion for entrepreneurship which followed me into my 20’s while working at a typical 9 to 5 job. Throughout my life, I have been regularly involved in sports. After winning a football championship, our team decided to get rings made. We had a really hard time finding someone to help us navigate the process paired with incredibly high prices. Reflecting on that experience made me think that surely there had to be other teams that were running into these similar obstacles. I thought that there was an opportunity to create a business that turned out to be true, and the idea for Legend Rings was born! I decided to jump in feet first, so I quit my day job and have never looked back.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Years ago, when we first started the business, we had a sales goal in mind. We envisioned we’d hopefully meet someday. We all thought that it would be crazy if we would be able to reach that one day. I still can’t believe that we’ve now blown past that sales goal and seeing the business become bigger than I ever thought it would. In addition, I’d say one of my biggest accomplishments has to be the team we’ve built. It’s an incredibly gratifying experience to be able to work with people who truly love and enjoy what they do. Being able to see everyone reach their personal & professional goals while we’re achieving ours as a business as a whole throughout the years has been one of the most rewarding parts of starting this business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things is probably the fact that you can never completely step away to rest and recharge. You always have to be present for the business, your team, and your customers. I love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, even if there are times when it’s tough, and you want to take a break, but your business and your people rely on you more than you need that break.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
One of the biggest tips I have is don’t be afraid to ask questions! As an entrepreneur, I’m always eager to talk to people about the business field, challenges they have or might face, and answer any questions they may have. I think it’s human nature to be maybe a bit intimidated or afraid, but most of the entrepreneurs I know love it when people pose questions and want to pick their brain! It’s a little surprising how rarely that happens!
The second tip I have is that all businesses fall in the field of invention and creation and are all rooted in problem-solving. I think your success is partially based on how you can break down, analyze situations then find other alternatives. A part of being in that mindset is using your likes and dislikes as a litmus test for what other people may find to be challenging or a chore. As an example, let’s say you’re completing a task, and a portion of which annoys you, chances are that other people relate and find that portion of the task annoying. Problem-solving is first relating to something. The key is being able to stop and reflect on how this bothered me then, thinking about what I can do to fix this and what I can do to find a solution to this problem. The hardest part is not ignoring that annoyance or challenge where most people do and continue about their day. Sometimes there are solutions to the problems, and oftentimes there aren’t- usually 9 times out of 10, there’s nothing to it, or there’s no way to solve it, but without that process, you aren’t able to get that 1 of out 10 solutions! I used to think when I was younger that you had to create the next biggest thing, the next Facebook, or a business of that magnitude. Those are audacious goals and not impossible, but I think that now there are a lot of ways to become an entrepreneur and a lot of ways to become successful by finding niches and solving problems that people may have.
The third tip I’d say is that knowing your passions and interests gives you an advantage in the world of entrepreneurs. It’s your passions that give you that extra drive for knowledge and involvement. You’re able to put yourself into the mindset of a fan because you are one! Doing or being involved in hobbies doesn’t normally feel like work. Why not have those feelings infused into your business. That was the case with Legend Rings - my love of sports has always played a big role in my life.
I understand the importance of winning a championship and its meaning because it’s something that I experienced and can relate to. I know what value those championship rings hold and what they represent to those who earn them.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I like to remind myself, ‘A healthy body and a healthy mind really create a good entrepreneur and a good leader.’ I’m passionate about being active and taking care of myself both mentally and physically. I like to do everything I can to make myself better, not just for myself but also because the business and team need me to be feeling my best!
Two quotes that I read every day are “Hard choices equal an easy life” (Jerzy Gregorek) and “Stop downhill habits for uphill dreams” (John C. Maxwell).
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.legendrings.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LegendRings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendrings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/legendrings
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legend-rings/
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.
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