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

Lisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

In 2018 I made a difficult decision to leave the corporate world to take care of my mom. Little did I realize that going full time for my with my jewelry business would bring me so much joy. I have always been making jewelry even as a little girl. I started in bead work then realized I love to use the torch and to sculpt metal. During covid I took the time to learn a bunch of things on-line that were really out of my comfort zone. I knew if I was going to do this full time I needed to be educated on the areas that made me uncomfortable. I learned all about marketing online, re-built my website, took a business class online & explored some small business groups. In 2022, I hired a business advisor I was determined to hit my stretch goal financially and make my goals a reality. I was able to get my jewelry on some A list musicians, finish my mobile business, make more money than I had in years past & develop a team of people that work with me.

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 am self taught. I got into jewelry because I was interested in sculpting clay and then developed a liking for sculpting metal. My dad was an engineer and was constantly building old fashioned cars growing up. I was always watching him weld the cars together. So, I guess its kinda in my blood. I spent 15 years in Merchandising & Buying. I have a background in fashion and trend. I wanted to take my background in those two areas and apply it to my craft. I made a ton of money for some major companies when I was in retail by being able to design items specifically for those companies and know how to drive sales. There’s a stigma that you cant be a right and a left brain in retail. You are either one or the other. So, I want to take my learnings from my retail experience and use my creativity to really excel and show the world that I do have what it takes with my own brand.
I really excelled at using my creativity in retail to take brands to the next level. I was the master mind behind some major collaborations before they were even really a thing. I am taking that experience and designing my first music inspired collection this year. I am so excited about it! It will feature jewelry, clothing and accessories. I am hoping to launch it in the Fall.
My brand is mostly based around music and musicians. I wanted to take my retail collaboration experience and apply it to my brand and make something really special. I love all types of music. I really wanted to make something special that I have not seen in the market.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that there are so many ways to be creative. Meaning there are so many streams that you can put your craft out there now. For example, If you work a 9-5 you get to just do that job and get that source of income. As a creative you can put your craft out there and try so many ways to get a financial stream. You can do gallery work, on-line shop, amazon, wholesale, contract work, custom work, influencers, or art shows. That is just to name a few. Its about getting my name out there and having people really love what they are wearing.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2018, I walked away from my corporate job to take care of my mom. She fell sick right at the beginning of the pandemic. I took what I could from my business ( materials, supplies, tools) and packed my bags. I flew to Ohio and took care of my mom. I learned so much about myself during that time. I really had to pivot. I. still had bills. I was literally sleeping on the floor in her nursing home making sure she didn’t fall at night, that she took her meds, that she was ok every hour or every day for 6 months. I would stay up at night to try and perfect my website, reply to emails and make jewelry for clients. The entire time she was in and out of surgeries I knew I needed to keep my business going. During that time I was able to see the strength in my mom and knew I needed to keep this going because my mom LOVED my jewelry. She was my biggest supporter. We would dress her up in all my jewelry for all her appointments. She loved getting all the compliments. It made her feel like she didnt need to worry about her health and how crappy she felt. During that period I was able to open a pop up show for 3 months in Columbus Ohio. It was during that time that I realized I needed to do this full time. The pop up was a huge success. I was floored at the community’s support and help. The pop up was located in a 100 sq ft gangway. A small narrow space with no running water or bathroom. I converted it into this beautiful jewelry space that you just wanted to hang out in for hours. Although, the space was small it was wildly successful!
I moved back to California and then that is when my husband was like you need to do this full time.
When I moved back to CA I was like how am I going to make it financially? I am going to need to start over. So, I re-built a 1961 vintage trailer to sell my jewelry out of. The pandemic allowed me to really focus on that project and I finished in 6 months. I have had the opportunity to sell my jewelry out of her and it is a show stopper. She is currently in storage and used for art shows through out the year.
I am beyond blessed to be able to do what I love every day. Sometimes life forces you to do things that really challenge you and push you beyond what you think is even imaginable. I would not trade the last couple years in for anything. I was able to learn so much about my mom, myself and my capabilities during that time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rubyblujewelry.com
• Instagram: @rubyblujewelry
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/rubyblujewelry
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/rubyblujewelry
• Twitter: @shoprubyblu
• Other: Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/rubyblujewelry

Image Credits
Lisa Erbacher, Michael Trotter