Statement Pieces Handmade With Love

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elonda Johnson, Owner of Upscale Slay LLC, located in Bridgeton, MO, USA.

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

Upscale Slay is a small female black-owned handmade jewelry business based in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area. I create unique, bold, one-of-a-kind high-quality statement pieces for women who want to express themselves and their personalities through jewelry. Each piece is handcrafted with love, and while the word "upscale" is defined as relatively expensive and designed to appeal to affluent consumers, Upscale Slays number one goal is to provide high-quality products at an affordable price!

Tell us about yourself

I am a mother of three - two adults and one teenager who has an Autism Spectrum. In addition to being the owner of Upscale Slay, I work a full-time demanding high-stress job in Corporate America for one of the largest managed care organizations in the United States. I started Upscale Slay as a side hustle in the middle of the COVID-19 global pandemic to make extra money to help pay for my wedding. Although life threw me a curveball and the wedding didn't happen, Upscale Slay remained and helped me make it through some of the darkest days and nights of my life by keeping me busy and giving me an opportunity to not focus on all that was going wrong but to be able to zone out and lose myself in creating beautiful jewelry.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was taking the plunge to actually start the business and to be able to keep going during a time in my life when there was complete chaos by turning the lemons that life gave me into sweet lemonade!

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

Getting out of my head is one of the hardest things I deal with as a business owner. I am a perfectionist, so I want each piece of jewelry I create to be perfect. I often find myself re-creating something that I am only 99.9% pleased with to reach 100% satisfaction. Also, being a one-woman show having to be responsible for all aspects of the business and making sure that everything stays afloat is a major challenge.

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

Do your research: Make sure that you understand what is required to run a successful business and be honest with yourself regarding whether you are willing to put in the work necessary for you to succeed.
Study your competitors: Don't compare yourself to them negatively; instead, find ways to make your products/services more appealing to your target audience.
Provide exceptional customer service: Treating your customers right is one of if not the most important aspects of your business. Address customers' questions and concerns and give them the best experience possible, so they will know that you value them.

Remember that you matter! Running a business is very demanding, and you have A LOT to do, but remember to take time out for self-care! Every day is not going to be perfect, and often you may want to give up, but keep going; better days are ahead if you hang in there!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://upscaleslay.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upscaleslay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slaytheupscaleway/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/slayupscale

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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