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

Queen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

There is a lot I would change about the education system to prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career. Something I have always disliked about the education system is that everyone is “forced” to learn the same things when people are all so different. I wish schools would allow students to focus on their strengths, help them develop their natural skills and talents, and figure out how to monetize them. If it were up to me, students would not feel any pressure to go to college immediately after high school. They would get the opportunity to explore life and decide what they want to do before committing to a degree they may be unsure of.

After migrating from Jamaica at age 18, I felt immense pressure to figure life out. All my peers back home went to college, and I felt like I had to do so, too. I started community college, and with just a few classes shy of my Associate’s degree, I joined the United States Air Force. College felt like a drag because I was not passionate about what I was studying, and because I was there just to be in alignment with the status quo. 5 years post military service I decided to go back to school and major in business marketing. I am currently only few credits away from obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing, and I have been having such a great time in school this time around. The difference between then and now is that I am back in school by choice, I am passionate about my major, and the concepts I learn can be applied directly to my jewelry business.

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 was born Jordene Brown, in Jamaica and lived there for the first 18 years of my life. Growing up, I was always very artistic and could always be found reading a book or crafting in a corner. My mother was a dressmaker, so I frequently picked up the scraps of cloth from the floor and used them to make purses and clothes for my dolls. Jewelry making was my favorite of all my crafts, perhaps because I could not wear jewelry. The church I attended had rules prohibiting women from wearing jewelry and only allowed a conservative dress code. I always yearned to express myself fully.

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and I started selling jewelry to my friends at school at an early age. When I migrated to America, I stopped creating and reading. My focus was suddenly survival and figuring out how to be stable in America.
I attended community college for a couple of years and had multiple jobs, such as KFC, Taco Bell, and Olympia Sports, until I started to feel burned out. I was exhausted and desired more stability. On a spur, I joined the United States Air Force, and I served as a Dental Technician in Guam for 4 years.
As I was about to separate from the military, I started thinking heavily about what I wanted to do to earn an income from home. I was a new mom to a baby girl and wanted to be home with her. I remembered that I used to make jewelry and started researching what it would take to start a jewelry business. I got so excited the more I planned, and I used my last military paycheck to purchase my initial jewelry inventory.
Here we are now, 6 years of being in business. I have learned and grown so much in my attitude, style, and creativity. I have done multiple fashion shows, vended at different events, and even worked with nonprofits to share my story of resilience to over 150 children.
I am obsessed with my jewelry business and have a passion for creating! When I am making jewelry, I am in my happy world. I enjoy creating unique pieces that the world has never seen before. Even though I started out making bracelets, I now enjoy challenging myself to make out-of-the-world wire-wrapped designs. All my jewelry designs are freestyled and one-of-a-kind.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for me to build my clientele is attending networking events, participating in fashion shows, or vending at events. Nowadays, much emphasis is placed on social media, but social media does not allow you to really feel someone’s energy and intention. I am a social butterfly, so I enjoy dressing up for events and meeting people in person. I always look forward to styling my outfit with QueenJordii’s Gems jewelry and vlogging about it. I have met many clients in random restrooms, and the conversation almost starts with them complimenting my jewelry.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Many self-help YouTube videos shaped me into becoming mentally strong in business. I am open-minded, so I enjoy watching documentaries, talk shows, Ted Talks, and anything that will get me to think and learn a new perspective. I am intrigued by other people’s perspectives and seeing how their life choices reflect those. I am really big on affirmations and writing my daily goals and affirmations daily. Doing this keeps me focused and on track. Whenever I feel stressed, I listen to affirmations that pour positive energy into whatever I feel stressed about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.queenjordiisgems.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/queenjordiisgems
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/queenjordiisgems
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@queenjordiisgems
• Other: TikTok: tiktok.com/@queenjordiisgems

Image Credits

Joya Lewis, Khalda Manguet, Olga Obraztsova, Katia Porshe, Ebony Bateman, Journee Berardinelli, Life Scenes Photography, Sabrina Pina Photos, More Than Modeling.