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

Hi Hailey, thanks for joining 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?

Jewelry has always been an interest of mine, from making hemp friendship bracelets to stringing beads on an elastic cord. I was first introduced to the concept of permanent jewelry on social media when I saw a video about its rising popularity and beautiful chain styles. This piqued my interest because I was looking for a side hustle that combined my love for jewelry with my financial goals. I discussed it with my family and began researching the industry to determine if it was something I could and wanted to pursue.

In July 2022, I went on vacation to Orlando, Florida, and found a permanent jewelry artist doing a pop-up at a boutique. After our welding experience, our group went for lunch and brainstormed how I could bring this experience to Grand Rapids, MI.

Shortly after, I ordered a welder, various chain styles, and other supplies. In the beginning stages, I had the help of my sister Tori. Together, we developed the brand, researched and tested materials, and practiced welding on each other. This phase could have lasted several months, as I am a slight perfectionist and didn’t want to launch until I was completely ready. However, I knew that without a hard launch date, I might keep pushing it back. Fear and imposter syndrome set in, making me feel overwhelmed, especially since I was now working on the business independently.

I reserved my sister Taylor’s event space for February 4, 2023, for our launch party—there was no backing out now! It was crucial for me to stick with this and actually launch Static Flow because self-doubt and perfectionism had stopped me from launching a business a few years prior. After setting the launch date, I focused on finding other markets and events for the rest of winter and spring. I am extremely grateful for my sister allowing me to use her event space as my home base for pop-ups while I continued to build connections with other local businesses and vendor markets.

The launch party exceeded my expectations, and I was brought to tears when I saw my final sales total after my first four-hour event. I appreciate the support from family and friends, but I couldn’t believe how many strangers had heard of my business in such a short time of advertising.

Hailey, 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?

Static Flow and the process of permanent jewelry present an intriguing oxymoron; the jewelry is welded in a quick flash, but the bond lasts forever. We offer high-quality, custom-fit jewelry that is welded directly onto you for everlasting, clasp-less wear. This is achieved through a micro-welding technique that uses extremely high heat to fuse two pieces of metal together. The process is painless, non-invasive, and completed within seconds.

Permanent jewelry is unique for two reasons: it is completely customizable and offers a special moment to share with others. Many people, like myself, struggle to find bracelets, rings, and anklets that fit them correctly. Most store-bought bracelets are too large for me, and the smallest ring in most stores is a size 6, while I am a size 5. With permanent jewelry, our customers can customize the fit of each piece to whatever is comfortable for them. We perform an initial sizing of the chain and provide adjustments after the customer completes a series of mobility movements before we finalize the weld. Our various chain styles and thicknesses also provide our customers with endless possibilities for stacking two or more chains.

While permanent jewelry is something you can do on your own, the majority of our customers come in pairs or even groups of ten. It is a fun way for them to bond with each other and create a lasting memory.

Our products don’t stop at permanent rings, bracelets, anklets, and necklaces. We now offer a custom charm bar where customers can build a personalized charm necklace or bracelet.

What sets Static Flow apart from other brands are the quality and durability of our products, our commitment to excellent customer service, and the unique experience we offer. We are dedicated to creating beautiful, lasting jewelry that holds personal significance for each client. Whether you are looking for a meaningful gift or a special piece to commemorate an occasion, Static Flow is here to provide an unforgettable experience and a piece of jewelry that will last a lifetime.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth and Google searches have been the biggest sources of new clients for Static Flow. In the first few months of operation, we didn’t have a brick-and-mortar location, so we relied heavily on people sharing their experiences and referring their networks to us. Once we opened our studio, we created a Google Business profile, which now helps us appear in search results when people look for permanent jewelry in the area.

Having a physical location is a significant advantage for us because most permanent jewelry businesses in our area operate through pop-ups and private parties only. Our studio allows us the flexibility to provide private appointments for groups of any size, enhancing our ability to reach new clients.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As a small business owner, one lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that everything needed to be perfect, whether it was the brand launch, new marketing strategies, or new products. The turning point came when I realized that waiting for perfection was holding me back. I learned that it’s okay to start with what you have, improve along the way, and let your customers guide your growth. This lesson has been crucial in helping me build Static Flow into a brand that listens, adapts, and continually evolves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thestaticflow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestaticflow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestaticflow
• Other: Booking: https://static-flow.square.site/

Image Credits

Layah Lauchie, Stephen Smith, Tori Smith