We recently connected with Nicky Jose and have shared our conversation below.
Nicky, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?
I feel that when starting any business adventure, people tend to start with their circle of family and friends. It does help to get started and get the word of your business out there, but it’s even better when you have their full support and they become your biggest cheerleaders. I started my business because I was bored and I absolutely love to create things. When I started, I asked my family and friends to test my products. They did and gave their honest feedback. Throughout the 4 years that I’ve been doing this, my friends and family have continuously supported me, gave feedback, and gave me new ideas to work with.
Nicky, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started my business in January 2020, right before the pandemic hit. I had this grand idea of making gemstone bracelets because I got tired of buying bracelets that would turn my skin different colors. I’m a disabled Air Force Veteran and a military wife who was bored at home while my boys were at school and needed something to keep myself busy with. I love being creative. So, I went shopping for gemstones one day and started this little handmade jewelry business of mine. As the months went one, my customers started asking for earrings, and then necklaces, and then I got into resin art. That all blossomed into different accessories like purse charms, keychains, cup charms, etc.
I came up with the name “Pink Sparkles by Nicky” because I have always been known to love the color pink and since I was creating jewelry, I felt that “Sparkles” was a perfect fit. My logo was created by a good customer of mine. She incorporated the unicorn into it because of my insane love of unicorns.
This little business of mine has turned into one of my favorite things to do, something that my boys look up to (and have fun helping mommy with her events), and something that has helped my crippling anxiety.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think one thing that has helped build and maintain my reputation within my market is that what I create is very unique and I custom make things for each individual. For instance, all the bracelets that I make, I make them to fit each customer perfectly. Since people come in a variety of sizes, why shouldn’t their jewelry? I have a list of each customers sizes for the wrist, ankle, necklace size preferences, etc. I know that my customers enjoy having their pieces customized just for them.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Being a military spouse comes with all of the “benefits” of constantly having to move, find new places to sell your pieces, and meet new people. Since I started my business in January 2020, I have moved two different times. The first, we moved from Fort Meade Maryland all the way to England! That was a huge change for me and it terrified me to find events and meet new people in a totally new country. BUT, it ended up being a huge success and I joined a small organization that helps small business owners on the military installations start and continue running their small businesses. It was very beneficial to me and I ended up joining the board to continue helping those who wanted to start their very own business. Now, in 2024, we just moved to Albuquerque New Mexico. My customer base from all over the world have stayed with me and I am about to embark on my first event here in Albuquerque.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @pinksparklesbynicky
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pinksparklesbynicky
