Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Blaire Sonnier. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Blaire, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I manage my own social media platforms, with Instagram being my main focus. I remember when Reels were first introduced to the Instagram platform, and I knew this feature was going to be a game changer. However, finding the type of content I wanted to make and have representing my brand took a bit longer than expected. I had some reservations about putting myself out there completely, so I first posted Reels of myself lip-syncing to popular audios at the time while showcasing my jewelry. It worked decently well, but I knew I wanted to give something more. I decided to release my inhibitions and just be myself. That was the best decision I could have made. Instead of gaining followers because of my products, I gained followers because of who I was. I have made connections with people all over, and the people who watch my content have said that it feels like they know me, not just my brand. If I could give one piece of advice to business owners trying to build an online following, it would be to be yourself unashamedly.

Blaire, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello, I’m Blaire, the heart and hands behind Blaire’s Bling! My business journey started somewhat accidentally. I began creating wire-wrapped rings for fun, and to my surprise, people began asking if they could buy my creations. I saw the opportunity and ran with it; Blaire’s Bling was born in January 2021. Since then, I’ve expanded my collection to include wire-wrapped bracelets and earrings, each piece crafted with love and attention to detail. Running Blaire’s Bling is a one-woman show! From designing and handcrafting every piece to managing social media, packaging orders, and handling customer service—it’s all me. In December 2022, I graduated from college with a degree in journalism, and I’ve been running Blaire’s Bling full-time ever since. While I often joke that my degree is collecting dust, I truly believe my background in journalism has been a unique asset in building my business. The storytelling skills I learned during my studies have allowed me to connect with my audience through the short videos I create for social media. Social media has played a huge role in the growth of Blaire’s Bling. I love sharing my process, connecting with my supporters, and building a community around my passion. The relationships I’ve formed and the positive feedback I receive fuel my creativity and drive. Knowing that my jewelry and content bring joy to others is incredibly rewarding.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

In the early days of Blaire’s Bling, I considered it to be a side hustle. I viewed it as a way to make some extra income while I was in college. I would bring my jewelry to markets, and sell my products there. My online presence was relatively small, so my business preformed the best at these markets. I knew about six months in that I wanted it to become more than a side hustle. However, I told myself to focus on finishing school and once I graduated I would have more time for building the business I wanted. I graduated in December 2022. I gave myself 6 months to fully commit to Blaire’s Bling. During those months, I had no other jobs, it was strictly Blaire’s Bling. In those six months, I wanted to make sure that I found a content style that fit both me and my business and fully put myself out there. I set a goal for myself. After those six months, if I could not support myself financially solely from the business, it would go back to a side hustle and I would have to find a “real” job. I had found my style of content. I found myself talking to my viewers and letting my personality shine. Because of this, in the final month of my six month time limit, I had my first viral moment. A TikTok video of mine went viral, causing my business to boom for the first time. Since that one video, my business has been growing exponentially, and I have had more viral moments since. If I hadn’t taken that leap after I graduated, I wouldn’t be the business owner that I am today. Building this business has helped me grow in more ways that I could’ve imagined.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Keeping in touch with clients for Blaire’s Bling is solely done by me. Any questions, comments, or concerns left on my videos or in my email inbox are all taken by me. I do this because I want to be sure that each customer is taken care of the way I would like to be when I reach out to a business for support. I believe that this personal form of customer service plays a major role in maintaining clientele and building a strong community around my business. However, I think the key factor to maintaining and fostering brand loyalty stems from the content I produce for Blaire’s Bling. I have built and continue to build connections with people that watch my content. Viewers don’t see just a brand, but a person that they feel like they know and trust enough to buy from.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blairesbling.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/blaires.bling
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blairesblingg/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blairesbling
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeofblairence