We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teri Cox a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Teri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

After being in business for 15 years, if I were starting over, I would have a mentor who specializes in the handmade jewelry business. Next, I would apply for one of the many accelerator programs that teach you how to start a business from the grown-up.

Teri, 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?

After working in the corporate world for many years, I left because my life values were being tested. I had always wanted to have my own business, so with leaving, gave me time to dust off my dream of creating jewelry. As a child, I created jewelry from string, bottle caps, and anything else I could find. I did take a jewelry class and then, later on, a metalsmithing class which has helped me improve my skills and craft. Working for yourself, requires discipline, courage, lots of trial and error, research, and Faith. I create different types of jewelry from necklaces, bracelets, and rings. We have created necklaces that have no clasp, just slip them over your head. Through research and polling our followers, we found out that there was a need for those with disabilities, trying to fasten the necklace clasp created a huge problem so we started making many of our necklaces longer, so you could slip them over the head. I think what sets us apart is the feedback from our clients and listening to what They like in wearing handmade jewelry. We have noticed over the years that our followers, and clients, really care about taking care of the environment for not and the next generations, so we create many of our pieces from repurposed, upcycled materials so they don’t end up in landfills. We are focused on sustainable pieces. Our jewelry is not massed produced, so they are getting one-of-a-kind pieces. I am most proud of first, staying in business for 15 years, that our clients and followers know our successes and our failures and they know that we invite them to share with us their thoughts on our designs. We understand that some of our jewelry is not for everyone and we as business owners give space to our followers to express their thoughts. I do this, we listen and tweak what we can.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Not long after starting my business, a couple of friends gave me some books to read, which to this day I still read them when I am feeling down. They are, Do The Work by Steven Pressfield and Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson.

This past summer, I completed the eCornell University Bank Of America Women’s Entrepreneurship program, which has helped me more with my management style.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Like many solo entrepreneurs, I bootstrapped my business from savings. I chose not to get a loan, because in doing that only created debt and that was something that I did not want or need. From every sale, I invested it right back into the business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teriacox.com
• Instagram: @handcraftedjewelrybyteric

Image Credits
Picture of me only taken by : (Susie Lang, photographer.)