We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I started my small business with just a joke during covid and lucky I got blessed to keep it going! I started small with just family and friends! My very first client that wasn’t related in no way was from a client from Arkansas!! I didn’t have a website yet so she started to follow me and texted me asking if I shipped, I said of course! She ordered 5 keychains, I was so happy!! From that customer I was able to get more out of Florida orders!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started my small business named “Ofjes Creations” by telling my aunt let’s do something to sell during covid! You may ask “why the name” but it was a mixture of my aunts name and mine, plus it was unique! I get so many compliments on it and I love it! My number one supporter is definitely my mom and family!! My mom especially because she takes time out of her weekends to do events with me and enjoys meeting new people!!

We started with headbands because my aunt would hand sew them which was amazing! We started with just small orders and people would request more themed headbands! We would sell quick on headbands and kept it going!!

One day a close friend brother had passed away and they were doing a fundraiser and I got the idea for keychains! I thought maybe no one will like them but to my surprise everyone bought one!! I started with metal keychains and slowly added Faux Leather! I have seen my business grow up slowly and hope to keep it going!!

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

The best source for my business to get new clients have been three things. First definitely social media, I started with just Facebook first then worked my way to Instagram! The other source that was helpful was going to vendor markets! I would set up a table with everything I sell and hand out business cards even if they didn’t buy anything! I started off very small, imagine you going to a market vendor and see a girl with a poster announcing “keychains, headbands, bracelets etc” and you would think “nah she won’t make it” but everyone supported me like crazy! My first market event was in a place called Shop Under The Cottage market event hosted by a small boutique called “Cottage Under The Oaks”! Don’t be afraid to try new events!! They help get your business started and get noticed!
Next source that helped me has been my website!! I recently opened it with square and have been getting more out of Florida orders! I try to keep it updated since I’m the other only one and am in school full time! I get orders and try to ship them out the next day if not when I get! Don’t be afraid to also open up a website!! It definitely helps and just keep promoting it :)
Market event’ definitely have helped me be more social!!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social was hard at first no lie! Sometimes it still is. At first I started with 5 followers, all family! Slowly I started to post more about my business and had old friends follow me and so on. I tried to keep my pictures clean and bright so they can see everything that I sell and have a decent background!! Sometimes I have days where I see no growth in followers but that’s okay, it’s a progress! My advice is to just keep posting your stuff! Promote it, have friends and family promote your stuff and account!! It’ll help a lot and will go a long way!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ofjes-creations.square.site/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ofjes_creations
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfJescreations