We were lucky to catch up with Teri Cox recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Teri thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

After working in the corporate world for many years, always knowing that in two week, I would receive a direct deposit into my bank account, was known as Security at that time. Fast forward, the company was sold. Even thought I was given the opportunity to relocate, it was not an option, because our daughter was in her senior year of high school. This is where the taking the risks comes into play. I decided to go into Real Estate. First getting my license, then later on getting my Brokers license. Real Estate is commission based, so now without the security of a steady paycheck with benefits, I learned that I could do this and make a good living. My first two years, was a struggle, but after that I enjoyed being my own boss earning more money than working my 9-5 sometimes 7 days a week job. I now had a career. After being in the real estate business for some time, another bump in the road came. The crash of the economy. Once again I was faced with taking another Risk. I started my jewelry business. I have had my jewelry business 15 years. There were challenges, but this was a passion that made me excited to get up every day and do the work.

Teri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started my business, Handcrafted Jewelry By Teri C, 15 years after leaving the corporate world. I have always loved creating jewelry as a child, so when I received a notice of local bead store offering a class, I signed up and the rest is history. Being your own boss, you are wearing all the hats, so being disciplined is key. I have found that planning out your month means carving out a couple of hours deciding what to post, how many times and showing up consistently. Having mentors is a plus. We offer jewelry consulting services by appointments. Many of our necklaces are created for those clients and customers who might not be able to fasten , or hook their jewelry due to disabilities. Our necklaces slip right over your head. We feel that this sets us apart from other jewelry business. Even our bracelets slip over the hand or wrap around the wrist, without having to try and fasten then.

we are proud that we have been featured in Gift guides here in the US and Canada.

We want our customers/clients to know that from each piece sold, we donate to Mothers Against Violence. They support moms who have lost a child to gun violence.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I sell on my own website. Shopify. I had used another selling platform for years, but it did not give me the tools that I needed.

Using Shopify, there are so many apps that you can use for creating different marketing to your customers and followers, which drives them to your site. The other website did not offer any of these features.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic hit, I had to pivot how I did business. With everyone staying inside, I used showing up Live more than before. Not always selling, but talking with many people who did not know about Handcrafted Jewelry By Teri C. Sometime I would go Live working in the studio, or cleaning up the studio. Demonstrating how some of the equipment worked Live and a few Live shopping events.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teriacox.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handcraftedjewelrybyteric/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tacbeaddazzledjewelryboutique
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teriacoxdesigns/