We recently connected with BROOKE BALLARD and have shared our conversation below.

BROOKE, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Janey Bee Jems stems from a pipe dream of a younger me with a desire and aching need to work in the fashion industry; it has taken a lot of long nights to get to where I am. My story is long, as most are, so l’II keep it short. In May 2015, I decided to trash the idea that the only viable path of life for me was the medical field and, in turn, it was like I opened Pandora’s box! Janey Bee Jems started as a tassel necklace in my parents kitchen, and now I’ve worked with over 60 retailers nationwide. My most recent collaboration was with Anthropologie. I designed and wholesaled a collection with them, and it sold out very quickly! The business grows every day and so does my heart. The love that creating magic has brought me is not something I can put a price tag on. I’m thankful for my customers, for my family, my supportive friends, and for the opportunity to sell things I’ve made with my own little hands. To be honest, I do all of this with hopes that maybe someone will see the magic and discover that there’s so much magic in them too.

BROOKE, 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?

10 years ago, I sat in my parents kitchen and beaded together a red tassel necklace. I did it for fun. I did it because I was inspired. I had just changed my major to fashion (after getting formally accepted into nursing school).

Since then, what began as a single necklace has blossomed into a brand that has worked with over 70 retailers nationwide, including Anthropologie, and has shipped thousands of pieces worldwide.

As I reflect on the past 10 years, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.
This journey has been anything but linear. There were moments I doubted myself, questioned everything, and wondered if chasing a creative path was worth it. But every time I sat down to bead or pack an order, I was reminded why I started: because something inside me refused to settle for anything less than a life led by passion.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Kindness goes a very long way. Our team always strives to bring the highest quality designs and pieces to customers with building relationships being our main goal. Through this, we’ve met so many wonderful people, created new friendships, and grown the business through word of mouth.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Our social media presence was a long, organic process that took years. It wasn’t until 2024 that we started gaining followers quickly. Social media has definitely evolved since the start of Janey Bee Jems. As a business owner, I’ve tried hard to pivot and roll with those changes even though there is always a resistance period. My biggest advice for growing your social media platform is to always be authentic. It sounds cliche but getting to know someone through their page is so important for engagement. Your identity and voice on your page is what keeps engagement high. It helps cultivate growth and sells your products.

Other than authenticity, I think being intentional with the idea that you will never stop learning. The more you resist that algorithms and trending content is constantly evolving, the more you hinder your growth. You have to be willing to do what it takes to grow your platform and I think staying up to date with what’s new is important.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://janeybeejems.com
• Instagram: @janeybeejems
• Facebook: Janey Bee Jems

Image Credits

All photos are to be credited to:

Emma Fox, Owner of Vixen Ruse Photography