Jenny Present has created a jewelry line for every woman, with pieces that not only exude simplistic class, but also serve as daily inspirations to those wearing them. I spoke to her about what drover her to start her business and what she’s learned. Read on…
What inspired you to start your business?
As a little girl, I grew up surrounded by paint brushes, colored pencils and craft supplies. My mom is an incredible artist and I like to think that some of her creativity has rubbed off on me. I was also obsessed with jewelry as a young girl, especially my grandmother’s extensive jewelry collection.
I dabbled in making jewelry, beading and whatnot, as a creative outlet from my uninspiring day job. A little after my son was born, our lives took a shockingly unexpected turn and it was a tough road for a bit. I decided to take my then hobby and turn it into a successful business so I could build a wonderful life for my son and myself. I knew that I loved having creative freedom and always knew in the back of my mind that I didn’t want to work for anyone but myself. I think I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit.
Do you work from home or have an office space outside the home and how do you balance working with everything else?
I have a small studio in my home, but dream of having office space someday (soon!). It can sometimes feel a bit tight, especially on the days my employees come in to work! Balancing work can be tricky sometimes since I am surrounded by it. It’s on my mind 24/7 even if I’m not physically working. With that being said, my son is my number one priority and nothing comes before him. He always keeps me laughing and on my toes helping me balance and even sometimes forget about work for a bit!
What are some of the things you wish you knew before starting your business?
I wish I would have known that being patient would be one of my biggest obstacles. I’ve slowly learned that things don’t just happen overnight, even though you might want them to or sometimes even need them to. I also wish I would have known that taking a risk is an everyday occurrence. It can be scary and exhilarating all at the same time.
What resources do you use on a regular basis to run your business?
The Internet is my biggest resource. It has allowed me to easily sell my jewelry nationally, as well as internationally. It has also allowed me to connect with individuals and companies around the world to help me run and grow my company.
More specifically, Facebook, Twitter and Esty have been great resources and sites I use just about every day.
What are the top three things you would tell someone interested in starting a jewelry business?
- Sell a quality product and provide outstanding customer service and word of mouth alone will help you grow.
- Do your research on EVERYTHING from the products you sell to the vendors you work with to the companies you hire to work for you.
- Know that is takes dedication, passion and discipline to be an entrepreneur and that it’s not for the faint of heart. However, if you have the passion for it, you will succeed!
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