Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brittany Hays. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brittany, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?
I feel that asking friends and family for support should be the first thing you do when starting a small business. Your loved ones want to support you, but they don’t always know how. Sharing your enthusiasm for your new venture both online and in person will show that this isn’t just some hobby, it’s a passion. Tell them that you don’t need to spend a penny to support you. Simple interactions with content are just as helpful because of social media algorithms. There is a line of course. You never want to bully or pressure your friends and family to buy from you. That’s just a whole awkward situation.
A good friend I have is a great example of a friend who goes above and beyond to support. She moderates my live sells, helps promote, and just generally has my back. It’s just a good feeling.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am That Crystal Lady. I’ve been fascinated with rocks and crystals since I was a kid. I always find myself looking at the ground in search of some rare find. I guess the business started with me wire wrapping crystals, shells, and random found objects. That evolved into making bath and body products. Eventually I stopped that to focus more on the crystals themselves. These days I sell crystals that I’ve found or curated from other miners. My husband has taken over wire wrapping duties. We’re both into tarot and oracle cards so we carry those too.
I guess what sets me apart is that I really enjoy mining and getting my hands dirty. I love the thrill of the hunt. Traveling and being outside in general is what makes me happy. There’s nothing like a crystal clear creek full of agates on a hot summer day. On the flip side of that, I do also enjoy studying the metaphysical properties of crystals for my own practice and to better relate to customers. I try to be as well rounded as possible.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
The key to social media is to grind. Constantly be making content. Reels, photos, products, memes, but the content has to be relatable, informative, or funny. You have to know the kind of people you want to attract. Once you have consistent content, people will start following. It becomes another job, but a fun one. Making yourself laugh from making silly videos is the strategy.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Because of what I sell and what I believe, I’ve always had people or groups that have hateful things to say to me. Religion is always a sensitive topic. I’ve had people interrupt live sells, hateful comments, and one time even a boycott of a vending event I was attending. The first instinct is always anger, but you have to have a level head. You are representing your business. It’s been a hard lesson to learn, but over time it becomes easier to manage.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thatcrystallady.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatcrystalladyllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatcrystallady
- Other: Whatnot Live Sales: https://www.whatnot.com/user/thatcrystallady
Image Credits
My images by me :)