We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tracy Savage a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tracy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Well, when I first started designing and making jewelry in the early 2000’s, it was strictly a hobby. I was a stay at home mom with 4 awesome children. So, to say I didn’t have much time to dedicate to my hobby is an understatement. When I could find time to channel my creative energy, I would go out to the studio and just play with gemstones, pearls and metal. I invested in lots of cool tools, components and silversmithing classes…anything I could do to learn more and more about the art of jewelry making. I became pretty good at the techniques and began getting interest from local boutiques in and around the Tampa Bay area, and that’s were it all began. Seeing that there was an interest, a need and a desire on my part, I began slowly capturing accounts, participating in shows and I built a website. Thankfully, it was still a pretty low risk venture for me. I was still a stay at home mom and had the flexibility and means to grow organically.
In the mid 2000’s, I encountered some life changing events. An unfortunate divorce, and a diagnosis of breast cancer slowed my forward mobility. But, once I was able to get resettled and refocused, I began forward thinking as to what I really wanted to do, and how my new life would look moving forward. My children were growing, heading off to college, and my lifestyle changed. With that, a decision to invest in myself ensued.
I was fortunate to have the support of many amazing friends and family, and a small amount of money to put towards starting my own business. I gradually began to figure out how to be a business woman. Even though running a household was pretty much like running a family business, this was different. I no longer had the financial or long term partner support as before. But I found comfort in knowing I was going to venture into something I loved, and slowly, I began growing. It just happened. I would set my sights on capturing new accounts and suddenly, I was in 25+ boutiques and spas across the United States. All the while, still mothering, running the online store, participating in shows and showcasing jewelry in private home shows.
I hired some fantastic people in areas that were critical for me to continue growing, and in 2021, I became a 6 figure jewelry company. I do feel that the desire to invest in myself definitely outweighed the risk of failure. So now, I keep growing. Some happens organically and some by pounding the pavement. Either way, when I look back at the hobby that morphed into my current business, I can certainly say that risk can sometimes be a damn good thing!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was always the one who loved class projects in school. I’m talking about building something, creating a visual presentation, etc…My father would be the one to willingly help me when I was younger. My mom always told me she couldn’t draw a straight line with a ruler, so I guess you can say I got my creative gene from my dad. I also took so many art classes in school, and always had a sketch book going. I would draw replicas of my album covers. Molly Hatchet, Van Halen & Pink Floyd were some of my favorites to draw. I still have those sketch books somewhere. I have also made wedding cakes for over 35 years, another form of art that I found myself doing, with the loving guidance from my dear Aunt Shirley.
The first piece of jewelry I made was a bracelet for my niece, Kelly. She was making her First Holy Communion, and I wanted to send her something special for her to wear. I just went into one of those bead shops here in Tampa, and had the lady show me how to put together a little pearl bracelet with a sterling silver cross charm. Then I made something similar for my daughter, and then for her American Girl doll. That was the start.
I pride my company on the fact that when I say we are a handcrafted jewelry company, each piece is crafted by human hands. This is the meaning of slow fashion…not mass produced, always ethically sourced, and purchasing components from small producers, providing a much more sustainable product. I use only high quality components, and oversee each and every design, and assembly process.
The collections that are born in my home studio are carefully curated. Many times, using scrap gold and silver from other designs that I melt, and repurpose. I love that something new can be created out of a by product of a previous piece.
I also love giving back to my community and abroad. When choosing shows to participate in, I like to find ones that provide a give back to a local charity or purpose. I have also participated in designing small collections for charities and other independent causes where all proceeds are directly donated to those establishments. Another way I like to make a difference, is by donating all kinds of jewelry to local schools, fundraisers for the zoo, aquarium, children’s cancer research, etc. It’s definitely an honor to be able to do these things!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I have one response for this: shop small, shop local, support handmade, support small business. In our world currently, the big box stores certainly take a lions share of all retail sales. But when you are buying from a maker of any kind, you truly are supporting your community or one somewhere that helps keeps small businesses viable so that a family can run their household, create jobs, create better public services and inspire others to do the same!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, being a creative person that provides a unique and special product, allows me the ability to make someone smile or just feel good. Wether one of my jewelry pieces is gifted to a loved one, or if someone just needs a pick me up, or just because they loved the necklace…if putting on a Tracy Savage jewelry piece can do that, then I’m winning!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shoptracysavage.com
- Instagram: @tracysavagejewelry
- Facebook: Tracy Savage Jewerly
Image Credits
Kevin Barney Sarah Carlson