We recently connected with Sydney Winovich and have shared our conversation below.

Sydney, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to inspire young girls to find their style & become entrepreneurs themselves.

I started my company in high school, where I witnessed firsthand the power of self-expression and the lessons one can learn through starting their own business. I put myself out there, and was confident in what I was showing to the world. I remember when I posted my first instagram, I thought “Well, I can’t quit now, people want to see what I can do”. I want every young girl to feel the confidence, responsibility, pride, stress and purpose I have felt since I started my brand. It has its ups and downs, but has taught me a lot about life – that I don’t think my 9-5 could ever teach me.

Studying entrepreneurship in college wasn’t just about books and lectures; it actually fueled my love for jewelry and inspired me to turn it into a legit business. Throughout the years, I’ve felt empowered through my jewelry brand and the entrepreneurial women I have met along the way. The overall message behind my brand revolves around uplifting women. I want to create a space where young girls can feel confident in what they have to offer to the world, whether that means starting a business or not. My experiences have taught me the importance of embracing and celebrating the strength of female friendships. As I share my entrepreneurial journey, I hope to inspire the next generation of young girls to embrace their authenticity, pursue their passions, and build a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Sydney, a creative entrepreneur and graduate from the University of Dayton, now a full fledged Texan. My journey into the world of jewelry began in high school, where my mom and I spent countless hours at a local store, passionately crafting an array of DIY jewelry pieces. Throughout my middle and high school years, I delved into the behind-the-scenes of the industry while working for a local jewelry brand, gaining valuable insights into the nuances of business ownership. As I went off to college, I knew I’d miss my life in the jewelry industry – so I started my own brand!

What initially started as selling $5 ribbon chokers from my dorm room slowly evolved into a unique line of jewelry, drawing inspiration from the incredible women who surround me.

What sets my brand apart is that each piece is a tribute to a woman in my life, capturing her essence and telling a distinct story. I’ve always found the most fascinating aspect of jewelry lies in its meaning to people – be it a gift, a family heirloom, or a reminder of a cherished trip. These pieces from my collection, each with its own personal narrative, embody the essence of a first friend in a new city, your adventurous friend who is always up for anything, or a trustworthy confidante. It’s these stories that shape us, and I believe they are meant to be shared!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth and pop up shops are the best ways for me to grow my clientele! Best tactic that I have started doing is at each pop up I have a giveaway – and the only requirement to enter is to follow my instagram! This way, at the end of the pop up I have 50+ new faces on my page – I just have to keep them interested!

I’d also say word of mouth – I think overall being outgoing & curious are the best things for a new business owner. You never know who you might meet one day – and you never know what value they can give you. Stay open minded and always ask questions! There is ALWAYS something new to learn.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Finding a manufacturer was the hardest part about making my brand a legit business. I used to buy pre-made designs from an Etsy store and put the chains together by hand. When I got a full time job – that was no longer an option. My best recommendation for finding a manufacturer would be to first learn as much as you can about the industry. For jewelry, that would be the types of metals used in manufacturing, the way plating is done, thickens of material, types of casting etc. Next, google what the biggest trade shows are in that industry. I clicked through hundreds of pages on these websites, until I found multiple manufacturers that seemed like they could be a good fit. I’d recommend messaging 10-20 manufacturers to make sure you are getting the best price, material, MOQ’s and customer service! It is a lengthy task, but one of the most crucial parts of a business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.swin-co.com
• Instagram: @swin.co.jewelry
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-winovich-a18605149/

Image Credits
Brianna Ghattas