Today we’d like to introduce you to Janara Banks

Hi Janara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

Sili+Bells Bead Bar, known as Sili+Bells, and named after my two daughters- Silina and Isabella was born in 2017. I started making earrings for them when my oldest lost her second pair of Sterling silver earrings. Aggravated at the cost of replacing one lost earring, for now, two children, and the lack of variety of “safe metal” earrings available for little girls, I ventured out to see if I could make some. And. Sili+Bells. Was. Born.

I was born in Harlem, NY and raised in Chicago, IL. I’ve attended Howard University and AIU receiving a Bachelor in Visual Communications with a concentration in Graphic Design and an MBA in Marketing. Collectively I spent a decade in Corporate America both as the Director of Corporate Affairs as well as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing for companies in the Insurance industry. I have an extensive knowledge base in Human Resources and Marketing. I started my first company, Jais-lnk, in 2007. Jais-lnk is a small graphic design firm with a niche in corporate branding.

I’ve always been crafty and very artistic so this was right up my alley, especially having just left Corporate America to stay home with my children. I’m a graphic designer by trade but working with my hands instead of staring at a computer screen all day felt amazing. My babies, having zero clue, inspired me to start this business and push my creativity farther than I could have imagined. I now create a full line of jewelry and handbags for men, women and children.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

There have been, and no doubt will continue to be, obstacles and challenges as Sili+Bells grows and scales. One of the biggest challenges I face as a wife and mom is balancing my time adequately. The biggest obstacle, that never seems to rectify itself, on the business side is my marketing budget- or lack thereof. Having limited financial resources restricts my ability to invest in advertising, social media campaigns, and other marketing efforts, which feels like it ultimately hinders my business growth.

Some other obstacles and challenges I’m currently maneuvering around are staying innovative enough to stand out among numerous jewelry brands, struggling with limited brand recognition, competitive pricing, economic downturns and shifts in consumer spending habits and maintaining a strong online presence, including both my website and social media platforms.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

Sili+Bells offers handcrafted jewelry and accessories primarily from upcycled leather and denim and some fun and funky beads. I’ve also added khakis to my list of materials in spring 2024. All of the metal used is stainless steel. My goal is to provide fun, bold and vibrant jewelry, using recycled materials, where possible, so customers can feel beautiful and great about being green.

Our mission at Sili+Bells is crafting quality eco-friendly products with creativity, ingenuity and imagination.

Other than a sewing machine for bags, my entire production is from hand, my hands. I hand-cut and stamp all of my leather and denim with hand tools. I keep all of the leather scraps for future projects and all of the denim scraps have recently been used to make paper from recycled egg cartons and the denim scraps. I try my best to keep as much OUT of garbage as possible.

Sustainability is key in my everyday operations. If I can buy secondhand or create it myself instead of purchasing, I do. All of my smaller-sized items go home with their new owners in denim bags created from the jeans I have in stock. These are bags that can be used to keep the jewelry safe or for so many other things. I take leather/denim/khaki donations from the community at all of my shows and events which is great to keep these items out of the landfills and give them a new life. And I’m most proud about planting trees in my customers’ names for every single purchase made. The trees are planted all over the world, where they’re needed the most at the time of donation.

What does success mean to you?

I would define success for Sili+Bells as achieving steady business growth while maintaining my commitment to handmade, upcycled products, establishing Sili+Bells as a recognizable brand in the handmade jewelry and accessories market, known for its unique designs and eco-conscious approach, cultivating a loyal customer base that values the quality, craftsmanship, and ethos of Sili+Bells, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth, continuing to make a tangible environmental contribution, such as planting more trees in customers’ names and using sustainable materials, positively representing black women in business and the handmade jewelry industry and inspiring others through my entrepreneurial journey and building a supportive community around Sili+Bells, including collaborations, workshops, or events that align with our brand values and mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SiliBells.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silibellsbeadbar
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silibellsbeadbar
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/silibells

Image Credits

I took all images. All images belong to me.