We were lucky to catch up with Ty Ohman-Myers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ty thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
When I started Lucky Boy, I had one simple goal in mind: to live without fear and be unapologetically myself. Through my self-expression, I hope to empower people to try new things, take risks, and to allow themselves room for failure. I spent years trying to blend in with my fashion choices, afraid to draw attention to the fact that I was different from most of my peers. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that my uniqueness is what my legacy will be, and expressing myself through fashion not only sparks joy, but it builds confidence. I know who I am today because of the risks I’ve taken in expressing myself. Not every outfit is going to land, but trying something new and stepping outside of your comfort zone is the only way to find your individual style, even if you get a couple of stares. My brand represents my own journey of self-discovery and acceptance, and I hope that is my legacy.
Ty, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
It all started with a trip to New York, where I fell in love with a necklace that was completely outside of my budget. With zero experience in jewelry making, I overconfidently thought to myself, “I think I could make that,” and ordered all the tools needed to construct the necklace myself. I slowly began making other pieces, designing anything that came to mind that day. The freedom to choose how to enhance my outfit on the fly was exciting, and it gave me a project I was passionate about outside of my mundane corporate career. Meanwhile, I was experiencing a high level of burnout at my job. My father-in-law had suddenly passed, prompting me to reflect on my purpose in life. While I knew making jewelry was just a hobby, I also recognized there was more for me beyond the desk—but that felt like a daydream.
My personal collection of custom jewelry soon caught the attention of my friends, who began requesting their own creations. Fast-forward six weeks, and Lucky Boy was born.
With about 10 designs and fewer than 30 pieces on hand, I attended my first market in Seattle with the goal of selling just one piece. To my surprise, I sold 11 items that day. It may not sound like much, but for day one of a small business, I was ecstatic! It felt like people cared, and knowing that there were 11 strangers walking around the city I love wearing my jewelry lit a fire in me to keep going.
At this point in my journey, I made the decision to leave my corporate job—not necessarily to go all-in on Lucky Boy, but to go all-in on myself. It was important for me to reflect on how I could spend my time more intentionally, doing things that excite me and being with the people I love. While I’m still in the early stages of this process, I now have unlimited time to spend building my brand.
Lucky Boy is a brand built on self-discovery and exploration. As a closeted queer child, I loved experimenting with fashion, but my classmates didn’t take well to my bold and experimental approach to self-expression. This led me to mute the clothing I’d wear in an effort to avoid conversations surrounding my sexuality. Whether or not it worked, I continued this trend throughout my early 20s. It wasn’t until I moved to the vibrant city of Seattle in 2020 that I began to fully re-embrace this concept of trial and error with my fashion choices. I became comfortable making simple fashion decisions that previously felt too bold—painting my nails, dyeing my hair bright colors, or wearing a skirt to Pride for the first time. In Seattle, these are things you see every day. I finally felt comfortable exploring my style and expressing myself freely.
While I know not everyone is on the same journey as me, I hope that Lucky Boy can inspire at least one person to embark on their own journey of self-discovery, whatever that may look like. I hear countless people say, “I’m not a jewelry person,” to which I agrue, “You’ll never know unless you try!”.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
At the start of this year, my life took an unexpected turn. I had a successful corporate career in Strategy & Planning, and I was preparing for a 4-week sabbatical in Southeast Asia. But two weeks before the trip, my husband and I received the devastating news of his father’s sudden passing. We decided to continue with our travel plans, hoping it might offer some time to process everything. Just two days into the trip, I received an email notifying me that my position was being terminated. With a generous 4-month notice until my separation date, I had plenty of time to think about my next move.
To regain stability, I took a role at the parent company, despite initial reservations. At a time of such uncertainty, the safe decision felt like the right choice. Within weeks, it was clear I had made a mistake. I was overworked, uninspired, and the culture was difficult to adjust to. In the little free time I had, I spent hours reflecting on where my life and my career were at. My husband, while working in the ICU, had just lost his father, and I was selling a product I didn’t believe in. My endeavors felt insignificant compared to his, and there was so much more going on in the world around me. My husband noticed the toll it was taking on me and supported me in making a change that prioritized my mental health. While I wasn’t ready to take Lucky Boy full-time, I knew I needed a reset.
I decided to leave my corporate job and took a hosting gig at an Italian restaurant – an industry I had never set foot in. I started crafting as much jewelry as I could, strategically balancing market days with restaurant shifts. If you had asked me six months ago, I never would have imagined this path on my bingo card. But I’ve learned that sometimes the best decisions are the ones that allow us to reset and realign, even if they take us in a completely new direction.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Local markets and in-person pop-ups have hands-down become my primary source of new clients—and honestly, they’re my favorite way to get to know the people who resonate with Lucky Boy. Starting this jewelry business wasn’t just about selling pieces; it was about engaging in my community and immersing myself in a creative space. Connecting with other makers has given me a new sense of community, and I’ve met incredible artists who inspire me and push me forward.
One of the most meaningful parts of these markets is hearing the personal stories behind why someone chooses a piece. Whether it’s finding a bold necklace for a concert, a birthday gift for a loved one, or someone finding the perfect chain they’ve been long searching for, each story adds a layer of purpose to my work. It’s a special feeling to know that Lucky Boy can bring something unique into people’s lives, and collaborating on custom pieces with clients makes it even more rewarding. Being a part of these moments—and creating something just for them—is exactly why I started this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luckyboyseattle.square.site/
- Instagram: @luckyboyseattle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565584696560
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckyboyseattle
Image Credits
Jordan Wallace