We were lucky to catch up with TJ Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

TJ, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

One of the best things I have ever done for a customer to show my appreciation was to give them free Jewelry. I had a customer reach out to me via private message that she wanted to buy several pair of earrings. I messaged her back and told her that I would love to gift her the Earrings as a token of my appreciation, considering she has purchased bulk orders from me in the past. As an artist of handmade items I do believe that one should give as much as one creates, receives, and grow.

TJ, 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 jewelry making over 10 years ago. In the beginning I was a very basic artist with just string and bead. Over the years I got more brave and bold and started making jewelry with shells, mixed metals, glass, wood, etc. I went to local coffee shops, signed up for craft shows, and have even been a part of two local ATL shops that eventually closed. After the closing of the last shop November 2018 I opened and maintained a shop on Etsy. My prouducts are made in my home in a small town about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta.

My most proud moment of having my small business is simply never giving up. I am in a very heavy Niche. Jewelry is so saturated. There are thousands of jewelry artist on Etsy alone not to mention the makers who are not on a selling platform. I have found myself racing against my competitors to be the first to come up with the latest and greatest creation.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn real quick that owning a small business has nothing to do with making the sale and gaining the money. If you have passion, dedication, Integrity, value, and the well to learn the sales and money will trail behind.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Surprisingly the best source of new clients has not come from social media, advertisement, or business cards, but in fact from word of mouth. I have learned at least in my business that one happy customer will bring on a new customer almost every time. Wow your first customer and I almost guarantee a new customer is close behind

Contact Info:

• Website: Etsy.com/shop/chainscharmslove
• Instagram: Instagram.com/chainscharmslove