We recently connected with Amanda Parker and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success is like a moving target. Often times, the ultimate goal was just a destination point that provided a whole winding journey. I believe what you do while going through that journey will prove true success. Choosing the road less traveling by doing things with quality, integrity and character may provide a longer journey, but will ultimately be worthwhile. The pillars of MandaLynn Creations are comfort, quality and style. In choosing these pillars, I knew it would come at a cost. There are many factors that can cause the cost to fluctuate between time and equity, and it is imperative to find balance between those needs. Time is just as, if not more, valuable than the equity, but I have found it extremely important to be willing to invest in both to find success.

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

MandaLynn Creations was founded by me, Amanda Parker, in 2018. I was raised a northeasterner (proud Jersey girl) and settled down in Athens, GA in 2021 with my family. Together my husband, Dustin, and I have three amazing kiddos – an 11 year old daughter and 8 year old boy/girl twins. I believe you should find opportunities to live out your best life each and every day. That is exactly how MandaLynn Creations was started. I love finding materials and coming up with creative ways to turn them into beautiful pieces. I adore sharing creativity with others and nothing excites me more than seeing my clients rocking the MLC brand!
This small business is based on the foundation that great style should never come at the sacrifice of comfort and quality. The jewelry is super lightweight and made of the highest tarnish resistant materials. I want my clients to be able to cherish their pieces for many years, therefore the upmost attention is paid to quality. Each piece is designed with the consideration of how the client will feel wearing it.
Most recently, I have been able to take a leap into sharing how I handcraft materials. About a year ago, I was approached by Pinners Conference to present a class on how I create. This turned into a love of teaching and I have since presented a variety of creative skills to hundreds of attendees. MandaLynn Creations is about to launch a new program to include free monthly videos teaching how to make a variety of projects. A material kit will also be offered to participants so they can learn these new skills and make a project right along with me, virtually!

Have you ever had to pivot?

Failure is a part of life. I choose to believe that failure is just an opportunity to grow, learn new things and become better! Throughout the course of the pandemic, I had to find different ways to pivot. The obvious problem was that many people were no longer purchasing earrings, my largest brand seller. With being confined to home, wearing masks while in public and being nervous about economic impact, I found that sales took a huge dive. In that moment of “failure” I had to make a choice, watch my business struggle or take control. After taking a little time to observe how we would react as a society, I saw the need to create products to keep you busy at home. This is where MandaLynn Creations started adding DIY kits. I have created a variety of options for adults and children, beginner and experienced. This product was able to provide a little reprieve from the fears and unknown, while giving clients an opportunity to expand their skills and add some much-needed joy.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

MandaLynn Creations has several avenues of Ecommerce. I started with Etsy in 2018 and have continued to use this platform as a primary means of sales with clients. I love that it offers my brand to many new clients that I might not have reached otherwise. Of course, there are fees related to using Etsy, but I look at this as the cost of their marketing. About a year into business, I opened up my website with Ecommerce platform. It is an ever-evolving learning curve. With being a one-woman team, I have found this is perhaps my hardest platform to keep up with. I also do in person (large conference events) and social media marketing and sales. I adore being able to meet face to face and showcase my merchandise in person. It also gives me the opportunity to teach new skills and provide materials and kits to clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mandalynncreations.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mandalynncreationsatx
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mandalynncreationsatx
• Other: www.mandalynncreationstx.etsy.com