We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Van Buskirk a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Laura thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

I actually am in the process of starting over! I got married last July & right before that I got a new day job… I had a lot on my plate and things with my business had been stagnant before that. So I quit social media decided to focus on excelling at work & getting a new rhythm as a wife.

Here’s how I’m operating now.
1). Giving my work away. My strategy is to design jewelry my friends want. And it’s leading to more opportunities that include sales.
2). Investing in my materials and I know that this will pay off. In the past my primary focus was investing in techniques, tools & education. Which was not as costly.
3). My next step is setting up an Etsy shop I’m curious to see how that will work out.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

God has given me the gift of design. My mom is a creative person and she was always there to help me and ecourage my creativity. I remember as a toddler making doll clothes and using sewing cards to learn needlework. I started working with jewelry 20 years ago when I was 11. We had just moved and I was gifted with some jewelry making supplies and I never stopped…

I started selling my designs when I was in college but it was fear that held me back from many opportunities. I didn’t understand how to consistently follow through. What I did was pour myself into becoming an excellent designer & learning as many techniques as I could. When I lived in Miami I started working in retail & it was in that environment where I learned that the missing piece was customer engagement and started to truly believe that I am a good designer because so many people I didn’t know told me that I was.

There are three things that have brought me to where I am now… First teaching others how to make & design jewelry. I have seen how it’s had a lasting impact on my students. It’s incredible what making something cool does to people. It changes them. My husband, he’s my biggest supporter he makes jewelry with me & designs his own pieces. We are a team and it’s amazing to have someone who cares by my side. Designing and giving my jewelry away. I make sure what I design for people is what they will love & wear. Charity has opened many doors and it’s amazing!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My husband is my unofficial business partner. We met at church. He has not only supported my intersts but has invested his time and money to make sure I have what is needed to be successful. Without him I would not have the courage to reach beyond what I didn’t understand.

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

When I first got super serious about turning jewelry design into a business I thought I had to sell “enough” then give. Now I give first and doors are opening & opportunities are coming quicker. Funny how charity works. It never fails.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.lauraclarke.co