 |
We love to share stories about entrepreneurs, and yes, we admittedly have a bias towards women entrepreneurs. Last week, we talked about OMG and their Gold Glitter Floor. This week, SB Louisville Editor Heidi Potter goes behind the scenes for a look at W&M Jewelry, a company whose baubles are instantly recognizable across the South, and whose founders took a desire to re-enter the workforce and a great idea and built a national brand:
An earring here, a cuff there, a slew of bangles…
W&M Jewelry is sprinkled like fairy dust all over the ladies and boutiques of Louisville, and now across the entire nation. Their baubles are instantly recognizable. Their jewelry pops up with regularity on our SB Finds, our fashion stories and gift guides. Many times, people will say “Is that a Megan?” or “Is that a Becky?” without even referring to W&M, for everyone knows the women behind W&M: Megan Walz and Becky McClellan.
Seven years into their business, they sat down with me and we reflected on the growth of their business, their success, their failures and their advice for others thinking about starting and growing a business. The best part about this assignment was not just collaborating with these ladies, but also getting to try on and touch every piece of jewelry their studio.
Friends from the beginning, they transitioned from babies to business over the years.
Megan’s birthday necklace creation was the realization that jewelry was going to be their business.
From the time they made the decision to make jewelry to the time they actually went into business was fast: five months. That required buying inventory, learning skills and laying the foundations of their business. They knew immediately that they wanted to be more than trunk shows and home parties at friends’ homes. They wanted to sell in boutiques all over town.
The vision for their lines was simple. They wanted to make jewelry that was versatile, that they wanted to wear themselves. They knew women wanted jewelry that they could wear to a soccer game, as well as to a cocktail party, that was also affordable.
They found that they had very similar taste in design, which makes their vision easier to attain.
They hit the ground running. They cold-called all the boutiques in town and had all of them selling their jewelry EXCEPT one. (That one boutique would only sell earrings for a flat rate of $29 and that didn’t work for W&M.)
Out of the gate, they knew they had a product people wanted to buy.
Their personalities come into play in this partnership. Both ladies are confident and ambitious and, most importantly, are great with people. Megan is the Queen of the Ask. She can go in anywhere, anytime, product in hand and walk out with a new client.
Megan
Becky muses that she would stand there silently as Megan did her magic. Becky takes over from there once the account is established, handling the business end of it. They both agree whole-heartedly that customer service is the crux of their business.
Becky
W&M jewelry is versatile. For instance, their beaded necklaces have removable brooches. Their long chains can be worn long, doubled and worn short or wrapped several times as a bracelet.
If a product does not sell, chain can be salvaged, beads reused, and there is minimal loss in this respect.
W&M currently has four sales reps (in Louisville, Georgia, Texas and South Carolina), a talented lady helps them make the jewelry and an intern who does countless miscellaneous jobs at the studio.
Remember that these ladies have five children between them. Running a small business with a family is no small feat and they definitely have learned how to establish a balance that was right for them. They have great advice for women thinking of starting their own business or getting back into the workforce:
Decide whether you want a hobby or a business. If you want to run a business you have to be 100% focused and dedicated to making unique product that is in demand while also making a profit. Be prepared for lots of trial and error and be prepared to work 3x harder than you do now, but know it is all worth it in the end.
Let’s get back to the real matter at hand, shall we: the product. What are their favorites?
Becky’s favorites are the long chain necklaces.
Megan loves all of the gold earrings, but especially their signature earrings, the gold tulips.
Most of all, their favorite thing about W&M Jewelry is that they “love making people feel confident about themselves.” And that, they do well. Bravo ladies, for a job well done.
W&M Jewelry is sold in Nashville at Stacey Rhodes Boutique and Monkee’s. Outside of Nashville, locations can be found here. You can also order on their website: http://wandmjewelry.com.
Thank you to our photographer Adele Reding for her beautiful work. To see more of her portfolio, check out our regular FACES of Louisville articles, where Adele showcases her work each Monday, or her website http://adeleredingphotography.com.
|
$30
50%
$15
$15
