Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Conley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

My healing journey led me to crystals, which proved invaluable in navigating challenging times during a period of intense shadow work and inner child exploration. Initially, I purchased crystal bracelets from local shops. However, one day at work, while admiring the array of bracelets on my wrist, the idea struck me to create customized bracelets featuring combined crystals. This concept offered the potential to reduce the number of bracelets worn while simultaneously ensuring the use of higher-quality string and authentic crystals, as I had discovered that some businesses utilized glass beads. With my demanding 14-hour workdays, I couldn’t pursue this idea immediately, but it remained persistent. A work injury in December 2023 provided an unexpected opportunity to slow down, and I decided to finally start making bracelets. I dedicated myself to researching the finest string materials, ideal crystal combinations, and effective knotting techniques. I began by sharing my creations with friends and family, initially as thoughtful gifts, and gradually expanded to selling them to coworkers and connections on social media platforms. Since then, I have expanded my skillset by learning wire-working techniques through YouTube tutorials and broadened my product line from elastic bracelets to rings, necklaces, anklets, bracelets, and earrings, all crafted using copper wire. As my inner child healing continues, my creativity blossoms, and I find immense satisfaction in creating, especially fulfilling custom orders.

Melissa, 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?

My name is Melissa, and I am the proud owner of Health & Aura Beads LLC. My journey began after a work injury forced me to slow down. I had always wanted to make bracelets, but my busy work schedule never allowed it. After my injury, I decided to turn my hobby into a business, selling the bracelets as a source of income.

As a start-up, I relied on YouTube tutorials to learn about materials and techniques. Initially focusing on elastic bracelets, I expanded my offerings to include copper wire work. Now, I create a variety of handcrafted jewelry, including rings, elastic bracelets, copper wire bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and earrings. While I occasionally use pre-cut chains, most of my work involves handmade wire techniques. I use genuine crystal beads, glass beads, spacers, and various accessories to decorate and enhance each piece.

I am most proud of my self-taught skills, acquired through trial and error and online tutorials. I love experimenting with new ideas, even if they don’t always turn out as planned. I’ve even taught myself to solder and plan to expand my skills to include working with precious metals like gold, silver, and titanium, as well as cut stones. I enjoy creating new pieces and fulfilling custom orders, and I’m happy to recreate existing designs as well.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Building my business has been a dynamic process, and I’ve found that the most effective avenues for acquiring new clients have been a multifaceted approach. Word of mouth, as it turns out, remains a powerful tool, with satisfied customers enthusiastically sharing my jewelry and my brand with their networks. Beyond that, simply wearing my own creations in public has proven to be a surprisingly effective form of organic marketing, sparking conversations and generating immediate interest. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the significant impact of social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok. These visual platforms have allowed me to showcase my designs in a compelling way, connect directly with potential clients who share my aesthetic, and build a loyal following. These sources have not only expanded my client base but have also opened doors to exciting collaborations with other artisans and creators, fostering a sense of community and mutual support within the creative space. The ability to connect with individuals through shared interests and visually engaging content has been incredibly effective in not only growing my business but also expanding my creative network, creating a ripple effect of positive energy and opportunities.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I initially launched my business social media profiles, I was completely overwhelmed, despite having used social media platforms for many years prior. My usage was primarily for personal connections with friends and family, and my accounts were kept private, so I never had to worry about actively promoting content. The shift to a business-oriented presence required me to step far outside my comfort zone. I had to learn the intricacies of self-promotion, photography techniques including mastering optimal lighting, selecting the most effective backgrounds, crafting compelling captions, and so much more. I also delved into understanding effective posting times to maximize content visibility through algorithms. The learning curve was significantly steeper than I initially anticipated, but I embrace the continuous learning process and am proud of the progress I’ve made. A crucial aspect of social media success, in my experience, is maintaining consistent posting and sharing to ensure sustained relevance. While I aspire to create video content showcasing my workflow, I’m currently still working on overcoming my natural camera shyness.

Here’s some advice I’d like to share with individuals just embarking on their social media journey:

* **Begin with small, manageable goals:** Resist the pressure to achieve perfection right from the start. Start small and build from there.
* **Establish a consistent posting schedule:** Regularly publish fresh content to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
* **Prioritize high-quality content creation:** Invest time in developing visually appealing and informative posts that resonate with your target audience.
* **Embrace experimentation and adaptability:** Try various content formats, experiment with different posting times, and test different strategies to discover what yields the best results for your unique audience.
* **Maintain authenticity and personality:** Allow your genuine personality and brand voice to shine through in all your content, connecting with your audience on a deeper level.
* **Foster engagement and build relationships:** Actively respond to comments, messages, and interactions to cultivate meaningful relationships with your audience.
* **Learn from industry leaders:** Identify and follow successful accounts in your field, meticulously analyze their strategies, and adapt the best practices to your own approach.
* **Cultivate patience and perseverance:** Remember that building a substantial online audience demands consistent effort and time.
* **Never surrender:** Understand that making mistakes is a natural part of the process. Learn from each setback, and keep pushing forward with renewed determination.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/health.aurabeadsllc?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557542726318&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@health.aurabeadsllc?_t=ZT-902G7PJMMiN&_r=1