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

Sheinata, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

When I first started my African jewelry making business I would have never imagined how successful it would become. It was in 1998. I was a sophomore attending The University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. I moved off the campus and needed money for gas and groceries. During this same time I was a member of a conscious group of African Americans who wanted to live a natural vegetarian life and raise a strong family to grow our legacies. Being that I was connecting more with my roots I got into making African jewelry.

After moving off of campus I began to sell my handmade African jewelry out of my backpack on my university campus and surrounding campuses. Sometimes I would even set up at the local flea markets in Columbia. I always managed to make enough to pay the things that I needed to pay in order to continue to live as an off campus student. At that time I still had no idea of the monetary blessings I would receive in the future for my jewelry making abilities. It is important to note that I am a self taught jewelry artist. I kept making my designs until I mastered the techniques of a professional Jewelry Designer.

As it got closer to graduation I began to prepare myself for work never thinking that I would live off of my jewelry making gifts. I worked two jobs after graduating from The University of South Carolina in December 1999. Somehow in a way that first felt devastating to me I lost both of my jobs. I couldn’t understand what was going on. Then I remembered going to my Aunt Bessie’s house crying and asking her for the phone book. She asked me what had happened? Why did I need the phone book?

As I began to answer her saying I needed to find a new job I was fired I simultaneously heard a message come through to my consciousness that reminded me that I had already created a job for myself. After graduating I received a Yorouba reading with my ancestors coming to tell me that my gift from God was to make my handmade African jewelry. My ancestors said that would make them proud and as long as I did it I would have everything I need. In the moment I heard the message the reading came to life.

I had already started selling my jewelry at The Charleston City Market in Charleston, SC but i wasn’t taking it serious. If I devoted more time, believed in myself and used my creativity I began to think it could really grow. So I started investing in tapes and CDs that I could listen to while driving, relaxing or cleaning round the house. They helped me to learn how to close a sale, deal with rebuttals and be an all around good sales person. The audios and books taught me how to listen to the customer and offer them the jewelry that would suit their personalities.

I enjoyed 20 years of selling face to face with tourists from around the world. That was the best learning experience I could have wished for. I grew so abundant that I was able to purchase and house.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I specialize in African Art jewelry. My designs are mostly one of a kind. I allow my creativity to take over so that I can unlock my unique gifts. The style of jewelry that I design can also be categorized as international folk art. Most of the materials that I use are elements from nature that are recycled or repurposed. My ancestors are African and Cherokee. You can see the infusion in my work.

Something that truly fills my heart is the way my pieces remind it’s wearer to slow down to enjoy the simple things of life. Because the materials are natural they help to ground those that wear them. Some of the best stories of how this happens came from the many repeat customers that I had over the years at The Charleston City Market. Charleston is a major tourist destination and I had somehow became apart of so many of my customers Summer Vacation. It made me excited to watch the children grow up after years of shopping with me. Occasionally I still do pop ups in Charleston and find it fun to see grown adults come up to me and tell me I still have my Cowrie shell necklace my mom bought from you at the City Market.

Most of my customers connect my handmade designs with growing up, happy occasions and feeling beautiful.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After operating my business for 16 years at The Charleston City Market my children were growing, management changed and the shopping habits for the average American had already gradually shifted. I began feeling like I needed something more in my personal and business life. So after months of contemplating I decided to close my business at the
> City Market. Things were becoming too challenging and my profits were dropping.

I had no clue how much I identified with the market until I left. It threw me into a depression and I struggled to move forward. This was the worst time of my life but would later prove to be a major transformation for my future. The reason I say this is because it helped me to bond on a deeper level with my husband, children and mom. My husband and mom offered my support when I needed it and I became stronger in my responsibilities as a mother to my two sons.

Within a few months I began to wholesale my handmade African jewelry to local and international museums and boutiques. Now I am able to still make money and have my jewelry exposed to the public which in turn gives me more time to help my sons grow and develop in the world in the proper manner.

How did you build your audience on social media?

One of the first ways I began growing my audience was during face to face sales. After completing the sale I usually asked my customers about social media? If they reply yes I ask them if they would follow my FB & IG? Most of the time they give a pleasant smile and begin to follow. Links to follow my brand are included in the final shipping email. Years ago I would have a model of the week. Customers would model my jewelry and I post on my FB page. This really helped me to grow my following because they shared the page with family and friends. I was able to get subscribers to my Youtube channel by posting videos sharing with customers outfits that I would put together in order to give them an idea of how to wear my designs.Satisfied customer videos were also posted on Youtube and FB which also helped to grow my following.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.reflectionsafricanjewelryllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsafricanjewelryllc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsafricanjewelryllc/