Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Back in 2015, I had a big group of friends that all felt kind of broken in one way or another. All of us came together and got into meditation, healing, and crystals. We spent a lot of time focused on lifting each other up. I had just graduated with a BFA in fashion but wasn’t expressing myself in that way. One of our friends had learned wire wrapping and I was instantly intrigued. Partly because I could not hold onto a crystal to save my life and partly because it was a new form of art to me.
I had become enamored and it was a way to create more meaningful gifts for my loved ones.
It took until 2017 for my friends to convince me that what I was making should be shared with a larger audience. It had become something more than just art and each piece was its own meditation and story.

Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I offer hand wrapped crystal jewelry that keeps size inclusivity in mind. I mainly work with copper and sterling silver. My work focuses on the crystal and the crystal energy. While I do make statement pieces shaped like fun things like moths, butterflies, bats, the majority of my work is sitting down with a crystal, or a few that want to be put together, and flowing with that energy. This can include having numerology in my weaves, curls and curves, and placement of multiple stoned works. From the beginning I always wanted to keep a selection of affordable designs so that more people had access to crystal jewelry. I have been very fortunate to also have the ability to make lavish pieces.
It may be corny and cliche but I put a lot of love into my work. That love includes research and care.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

I had never intended to make this my full-time career. Making jewelry and art is a passion and I didn’t know if that could ever be sustainable as a full time job. Even in my most wildest dreams I didn’t believe in myself enough when I first started. In 2017, after an entire year of making pieces for myself, and for my loved ones, I finally got up the courage to open a shop online. For the first couple of years, it was a small thing that would get a few orders here and there. Every order left me ecstatic and beyond belief. And I still get that feeling for online and in person orders. A feeling of honor and gratitude.
In 2019, along with a friend of mine, I did my first event. We had a booth at a local Renaissance fair. After the weekend was over it was almost physically painful to go back to my 9 to 5. It was only a few weeks later I had to be let go. A blessing that was not very disguised.
My sales were increasing but I still didn’t think it was sustainable. After a few odd jobs and orders still trickling in, I found myself in another 9 to 5 which allowed me the time to do a weekly farmers market.
Though never quite hitting viral on Tiktok I did get some buzz that drove up my sales.
Then quarantine hit. For the first time I got a taste of only making, creating, and fulfilling orders. It wasn’t stressful trying to balance the increasing success and a job I didn’t really care about.
By 2021 my orders were consistent and when my partner and I moved halfway across the country I was able to sustain both of us while he looked for a job.
Now a days I don’t do as many online orders because most of my focus has shifted to in person events.

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

For me, the most effective strategy has been attending in person events. While I did have some help with social media and building my brand, it wasn’t until I started networking that I saw the biggest change and increase. Doing a single event can get your work in front of hundreds and thousands of new people. While not every single one of those interactions will turn into a sale they can turn into helping you build your social media platform and recommendations to their friends and family. Not to mention the countless times inspiration has struck because of talking to potential clients.
Another important part of in person events is building community. I have had many events where some of my best clients were other businesses. It was the networking I got done at in person events that led me to wholesale relationships, both orders from my shop and wholesale opportunities I wouldn’t have found on my own. Personally it’s important to remember that when you’re doing in person events the businesses with you are not your competitor. Wanting everyone to succeed goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.energizedcrystals.shop
• Instagram: instagram.com/energizedcrystals/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Energized-Crystals/100038898168180/
• Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeMTt2KD/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/energizedcrystals