We recently connected with Jennifer Mackenroth and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers
Last year on Small Business Saturday, my husband and I were driving in a truck we had borrowed from my parents toward a coffee shop where we were going to have the first of three planned shows for that Christmas shopping season when my husband noticed smoke coming out from behind the truck. Realizing that this could be bad news, he pulled over to the side of the busy highway and had me get to a safe distance. He went back to inspect the truck and found fluid dripping from the engine. It was on fire. We made calls to my parents and 911, but before anyone arrived, the entire truck was engulfed in flames. I watched helplessly as $5400 of inventory and all of my tools and unused materials turned to ash along with my parents’ truck and my husband’s laptop. But, within hours of posting a picture of the burning truck on Instagram that day, support began flooding in in the form of fresh stones to wrap, new tools, and multiple collections being taken up so that I could rebuild everything I had lost. It was the most bittersweet day of my life. I believe that God interrupted my business to show me that what I do matters to people.
Jennifer, 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 have always had a passion for jewelry, but that passion has been kept in check by the idea that sparkle serves no real purpose. And so it happens that I have spent a lot of time pursuing math education as a career goal, but held jewelry making as a cherished hobby. It wasn’t until I got on Instagram and began wire wrapping that I found a way of making pieces that would stand up to regular wear and that resonated with other people in a deep way. I’ll never forget when a client reached out to me to request a dragonfly necklace in memory of her mother. Her mother had passed away from a disease that the daughter also suffered from, and visiting dragonflies made her feel like her mom was close by. The idea that I could be part of such a deeply personal healing process inspired me to truly value my craft in a way I never had. It is my mission to create jewelry that brings people closer to each other and closer to their personal histories. Sparkle doesn’t have to be shallow. With substance it can make life survivable.
How’d you meet your business partner?
I was at a small birthday party for a close friend when I noticed a quiet guy sitting on the edge of the group observing. He was attractive, but it wasn’t until we were all sitting around the bonfire in the backyard and he began playing the guitar and singing a song he had written that I truly noticed him. A few years and a few life changes later, we’re married and running my jewelry business together! He’s my photographer, website editor, and marketing consultant. His writing skills and eye for quality have been essential to my success. I’m so lucky to have an amazing husband and partner!
Have you ever had to pivot?
My husband and I were starting to build a life in the Virginia Beach area where he was going to college. During his last year, more and more things got in the way of us staying there where we had friends and connections, so my parents offered for us to come stay with them. My mom went through a major surgery, and my dad was left home with the 4 cats and a case of COVID-19. They needed me to help out. During this transition, I decided to step back from a job that required a strict time commitment, and pursue learning the skills that could make a real entrepreneurial adventure work. I got my business license, created a bookkeeping system, made contact with craft show coordinators and began developing my business identity. Today I’m enjoying owning my own business more than I could have ever dreamed!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Andrew Mackenroth