We recently connected with Alicia Stevens and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
The goal is to eventually be able to survive off my small business earnings. Right now, it’s almost paying for itself but I made many investments this year with new display items that I’m still trying to pay off. I try to give myself grace while my business is growing and I’m still learning.
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 started this business in Fairbanks, Alaska in September 2021. Alaska has an amazing artist community that really inspired me to give it a try. As a new mom of two under two, I was looking for something just for me that I could focus on and unwind. In August 2022 we left Alaska for New York and arrived in Central New York in September 2022. Since then, I’ve gotten into 5 stores with more in sight. I’ve learned my product doesn’t sell online, I’ve learned what events to avoid next year, I’ve learned what products don’t sell well here. Basically, I’m learning where to place my time.
I’m building inventory as quickly as I can and it’s still not fast enough for the demand. Up until June, I was working a full-time corporate job as well but right now I’m at home with my two kids, now 4 and 2.5, and only have time to create after bedtime.
I’m making new items all the time when customers come to me with custom requests. That really keeps me on my toes and invested in a new challenge.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
That every business needs a website.
When I first began, I had over 100 items on my website (Etsy at the time) and only two sales. I was scared to try my first event, but my Artist community encouraged me. At my first event, I sold SO many items. I learned quickly that my items sell best in person.
I do use social media to build a relationship with people and to give my customers a way to reach me for custom orders.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I prefer Instagram by far. I use stories to show what I’m working on or things I’ve just made. I use reels to show the process of me making them and I use the highlights to help folks keep up with what items I have in stores and what events I’m attending. I do enjoy making reels but I don’t record everything I do. I need a balance and choose to record if I’m making something new or interesting.
I put my Insta QR code on everything I can. On the back of my business cards, on the back of my earrings cards, on my tags, anything I can print that it will fit on.
I also engage in my community as much as possible. Sharing other local businesses, supporting other businesses, knowing who is doing what and being able to collaborate. If you engage, people will notice and recognize you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junideejewelry/