We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julia Gates. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julia below.
Julia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
It’s easy for us small business owners to attach our identities to the success and progress of the business. Since so much time, money, and energy is dedicated to this work, burn-out is extremely common and sometimes it feels like we can’t catch a break. The only times I find myself regretting my decision to invest my everything into a small business are when there are plateaus or it feels like nothing is working in my favor. Otherwise, I don’t have time to think about what could be or what should have been. Small business owners have to constantly search and latch on to any opportunity we get. Through this, I’ve experienced a lot of self-discipline and discovery that I wouldn’t have if I went the traditional route. I always keep one egg out of my business basket because I know how important it is to separate my sense of self from the work I produce. This also allows me to see the bigger picture and objectively analyze my progress. Happiness is something I find when I reflect upon my year of CrystalsnJules and know that I am paving a way for a greater future.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Julia Gates, artist and owner of CrystalsnJules, and part-time student!
Back in 2021, I invested in a website, more crystals, and my first ever business card. My style, in the past, was all over the place. Now, my signature pieces are the crystal squiggle earrings, braided rings, and the crystal chip necklaces. More recently I’ve been having conversations with customers who are interested in the healing properties of crystals. I’m able to provide a new style of jewelry for people who know their crystals, would like to know more about them, or just like the way they look! The beauty of being an artist is the ability to connect with people and seeing them enjoy what you’ve made as much as you love creating it.
During the first year of CrystalsnJules, I mostly dedicated my time to building rapport with other business owners and my physical audience. I’m most proud of the connections and friends that I’ve made as it has brought me out of this “anti-social introvert” label that I had on myself. Owning a small business is much more than the creation process, social media, pop-ups. At least for me, it’s been a journey of uncovering my true colors while building my stamina and self-confidence. CrystalsnJules is more than just a business to me, its a process of creating jewelry for people to love while creating the best version of myself.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
My personality has always led me to function independently out of habit rather than necessity. I always tell anyone who offers help that I can do it on my own and that they have other things to do anyways. It’s a culmination of learned habits that lead me to keep most things to myself. I’m not afraid to ask for help anymore, but I used to feel like a burden on others when I would. More recently, I’ve come to appreciate those who offer help and feel grateful that I have people willing to show up with me. My perception of the helping hand was tainted by this idea in my head that whoever was making the offer believed I couldn’t do it on my own. Thus, my independence has been spiteful at times. Owning a small business, or life in general, is more than “going and getting things done”. My perspective on a life full of helping hands is no longer strained by codependence. The people who extend their hand without prearrangement or give random words of encouragement have taught me more about the importance of community than I ever would have learned all on my own.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
CrystalsnJules was up and coming when I was working at a local cafe, so all of my coworkers became my #1 supporters. All of these people were my friends who I spent hours with each day, so they knew the ins and outs of my business processes. They would express excitement over seeing a new product I created, come to my pop-up events, and share with their friends. Therefore, I’ve come to treat my customers, business connections, and social media followers as if they are my best friends. I don’t want to just sell people product or view my audience as “customers”. Making a connection with my audience by sharing behind the scenes content, creating polls, chatting in DMs, and showing up at markets, are just some of the few ways I foster brand loyalty.
Contact Info:
- Website: CrystalsnJules.com
- Instagram: CrystalsnJules
- Facebook: CrystalsnJules