We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Britta Checketts. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Britta below.

Britta, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I always find this question funny because the truth is it started when I was a child. I was totally that kid that not only put up lemonade stands, but I would print flyers and hand them around my neighborhood and at church stating that I would mow your lawn, paint your walls, recycle your newspapers, and babysit your children. I was a major hustler from day 1. I get that from parents.

My father, who was born and raised in Germany, moved here as a late teenager, learned the art of sales through cars, worked his way up and eventually started his own company. He’s had a lot of the same clientele for over 30 years now, which speaks to his personal touch that I try to emulate.

My mother is the hardest worker I know- it’s a rare sighting to ever see her sit still. She taught me the value and importance of education, and earning your way in this world through kindness and honesty. I take that seriously and am always open to learning more, especially in the world of entrepreneurship.

Being raised in a home where I wasn’t “handed” anything sometimes frustrated me as a child, but I of course value it now looking back. I remember my parents budgeting carefully as my dad was first branching out to start his own company and how that all looked. I’m lucky that I got to witness entrepreneurship first handed- even if our businesses are completely different.

On days when I feel like my business is stagnant I am constantly reminded of my childhood, and that it’s all about the long game. I know that as long as I’m doing something for my business big or small, I’m at least moving the needle forward.

When I first got the idea to start my own business I had taken a few courses online specifying in ecomm. I would binge-watch youtube videos about small businesses all night after finishing my college homework- I was obsessed with ecomm and still very much am. I love the idea that anyone can make money online through the power of social media. I feel like I’m in that sweet spot age where I’m old enough to have an education and somewhat know what I’m doing, but also young enough that I can figure out why gen z is so obsessed with TikTok, and why us millennials should also be on there.

My main reason for starting a jewelry company is because simply put- I’m lazy when it comes to what I wear daily. I want to feel put together but while still wearing a plain tee and yoga pants. Hence where accessorizing comes into play. I was constantly stopped and asked by girls on the street about my unique ear stacks or necklace stacks, and thought hell, I should be making $ for this!

I then did a bunch of research and noticed a gap in the market. I’m someone that again, is lazy when it comes to styling, and hated taking my jewelry off before the gym or showering. I’d much rather wear the same pair of hoops for 3 weeks straight, but all of the pieces I currently owned kept tarnishing. And anything tarnish resistant online was SO expensive.
This is where my baby, Harper Jewelry was born. The one stop shop for water resistant jewelry that you don’t have to check your bank account before adding to cart. :)

I had started researching possible vendors in December 2019 and it felt like such a lengthy process, finding someone that sustainably made jewelry at an affordable price. Then of course the work-from-home order came into place just a few months later, for which I decided to take advantage of that extra time on my hands. I was still working my 9-5 in finance, but had two computers side by side. One for my day job, and one spent emailing with manufacturers, building a website, working on content, until I was finally ready to launch in June, 2020.

Britta, 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?

I focus on selling quality gold jewelry that is plated with premium 316L Stainless Steel, meaning it won’t rust, it’s hypoallergenic and friendly to most skin types, and is sustainably made to last. Our prices are about 1/3 of our competitors, which is why so many people trust and love Harper Jewelry. My entire reason for starting this company was to make quality jewelry affordable for all, and while it’s sometimes challenging keeping my prices so low in this economy, I made a promise to do so because it matters to me and so many others. We also provide free and fast shipping for all US customers, which is saying a lot these days!

Harper Jewelry is the perfect go-to shop for elevated everyday essentials. We have the perfect range of stackable chains and pendant, hoops of all sizes, rings and bracelets. Aside from our everyday essentials, we are constantly coming out with new and fun trendy pieces monthly.

I’m most proud of my repeat customers. Almost everyone that has purchased from us has come back for more.
Once you buy Harper, you never go anywhere else, because they know they’ll be well taken care of not only with quality jewelry, but excellent customer service. We also take care of our loyal customers in special ways and enjoy including extra gifts as our thank you for staying loyal to us.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Marketing is something that didn’t come naturally to me, which is probably why I’m most proud of our social media presence. The algorithm is changing daily if not hourly, and it can feel daunting trying to keep up with the trends. I try to focus on 3-4 reels a week, 7-8 tiktoks a week, and educational/reviews daily for instagram stories. This can feel like a lot at times, but when I break it down, not only is it not hard, but it becomes a fun challenge. I take time twice a week to scroll, learn what the algorithm wants that week, and write down ideas. I have a note in my phone that is miles long with content ideas, and I’m constantly adding to it when idea sparks.
I take time 1-2 times a week for a few hours at a time, usually at my house to, as I like to say, “bang out content”. This could be pretending to package orders, showing how to style earrings, etc. I then use that footage in a bunch of different videos throughout the week to trending sounds.

Sometimes it takes me two hours to make one video, other times I can make 4-5 tiktoks in one hour. It really just depends.

What keeps me going when I occasionally feel like a slave to the algorithm is that you just never know when one video is going to stick. I’ve had a video that took me approximately 5 minutes to make, that had over 4 million views and made me what used to be my monthly salary in a matter of hours.

I’ve also had my jewelry worn by Em Rata, Millie Bobby Brown, Shay Mitchell to name a few. This is again from the power of social media, reaching out to celeb stylists via instagram, and sending countless PR. You never know who’s going to post, so you might as well go for it.

When I feel drained from social media which happens to all of us, I remind myself the next day that “this could be the day where it goes viral”. And you know what? It doesn’t happen everyday, but it’s certainly happened more than once, and I have no doubt in my mind that it will happen again.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I always used to think that the feeling of being uncomfortable meant that what I’m doing is wrong. I read a book early on to starting my business called “The Mountain is You”, by Brianna Wiest. She said that when we feel uncomfortable, that’s our body’s way of trying to keep us safe when we’re trying new things. Our ego wants us to continue doing what we’ve always done, and not learn and progress.

Learning that was a game changer not only for my business, but for every aspect in my life. I now feel okay to fail, because failing is learning, and learning is growing. I now welcome that feeling of ‘uncomfortability”, because I know it means I and my business are leveling up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://harperjewelryco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harperjewelry
• TikTok: @harperjewelryco

Image Credits
Photo Credit: @cflatleyphoto