Behind The Scenes Of My Business: Blog Tag

[Archived post from September 27, 2014]

One of my awesome jewelry designer friends [Pam of WiReD Boutique] nominated me to share some behind-the-scenes secrets about my business.

This blog post is a part of the ‘Behind the Scenes of My Business’ Blog Tag started by April of Blacksburg Belle. She began this blog tag experiment to build community among creatives, help us bloggers to connect more and get to know each other better. This month’s topic is all about sharing the behind the scenes stuff of our businesses. If you’d like to participate or want more info, check out this post right here.

So, inquiring minds want to know……

Question 1: What’s your two to three sentence bio? (You know, what the heck do you do?)

I create rustic gemstone and mixed-metal jewelry – but Charliemadison Originals is about more than just pretty jewelry. Our mission is simple: to inspire you to live your most amazing life – to keep going when the going gets tough – to keep trusting that things will work out as they are meant to – and to celebrate all those little baby steps along the way. I believe that jewelry is the physical reminder, the inspiration – but it’s the message behind the jewelry that’s the real gem – our motto is:  Trust your journey – Follow your heart – Find your inspiration!

Question 2: What’s your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part is when a customer tells me how much a piece of jewelry meant to her or how she searched for the perfect bracelet and found it in my shop – touching the lives of others with the jewelry I create.

Question 3: What’s your least favorite part of your job?

Managing the accounting books!

Question 4: What are the top three tools you use the most in your work?

1- My trusty set of jewelry pliers & cutters; 2- My Canon Rebel digital camera; and 3- My technology trio – iMac, MacBook Pro, & iPad mini – to keep my shop looking pretty & spread the love via social media.

Question 5: What business goal would you love to reach before the end of the year?

Finish my new shop website and release it out into the world.

Question 6: Who are three creatives that inspire you?

Jes Maharry (of Jes Maharry Jewelry), Melody Ross (of Brave Girls Club), and Kelly Rae Roberts (artist)

Question 7: What do you listen to (if anything) while you work?

Sometimes I’ll pull up the Yoga or Spa stations on Pandora Radio or jam to some 80’s music, but most often I work in silence because life gets so hectic and I find I’m most inspired when I can listen and tune in to my own creativity.

Question 8: Morning person or night owl?

Most definitely a morning person – I love the quiet of the early morning when you have a whole day of possibilities in front of you!  Plus, I totally fall asleep on the couch at 8:30 PM!

Question 9: How many employees do you have and what are the main things they do for you?

Right now, it’s just me, myself, and I – plus my sweet little Chihuahua who likes to hang out in my studio.

Question 10: What’s your favorite social media platform?

Instagram, for sure!  The atmosphere is fun and simple, and there aren’t so many things to distract you from the beautiful photos.

Question 11: What’s your least favorite social media platform?

LinkedIn – just haven’t been able to get into it.

Question 12: What works best when it comes to marketing your business?

Instagram is working pretty well, and having great SEO in my shop!

Question 13: What’s one thing about your business that your blog readers probably don’t know?

I run my business in the evenings and on weekends – during the day, I work as a scientist.

Question 14: If your business were a fashion accessory, what would it be?

That favorite necklace that you reach for most often because it reminds you of a special moment, connects you to a special someone, or inspires you to focus on what’s most important in your life.

Question 15: What’s your top tip for someone who wants to do something similar to you for a career?

Just keep moving forward every day.  Take one small step, accomplish one thing on your to-do list every single day. Growing a creative business takes time – there are very few who are overnight successes!  Keep learning and find a community of others who have the same creative business as you and get to know them. I used to think other jewelry designers were my competition until I joined Flourish & Thrive Academy. I have met the most amazing, supportive women (and fellow jewelry designers!) who aren’t afraid to share what they know.  One of them is Pam of WiReD Boutique, who nominated me for this blog challenge! But my best tip is to believe in yourself and know that you have something unique to offer the world!

Now it’s my turn to pass along the love and tag a few wonderful friends to share their behind-the-scenes secrets! I’m choosing four very lovely ladies – and fellow jewelry designers – that are crazy talented and have had lots of recent success in their businesses. I’d love to hear their answers to these questions so I can be inspired to take the next big steps in my business. And even if you’re not tagged, you can still play along!

1. Mandy of Simply Leilani
2. Morgan of Lane Tanner Designs
3. Annie of Studio Luma
4. Kristen of Silver Ranch
5. YOU – tag, you’re it!

Here’s how to play:

1. Copy and paste the questions below and then answer them and publish as a blog post. Or, record a video answering these questions and upload it to your blog post.
2. At the bottom of your post, tag anywhere from 2-10 bloggers you want to see answer these questions. (I also suggest hitting up your tagged people via social media just to let them know you tagged them to do this tag challenge.)
3. Use the title: Behind the Scenes of My Business Blog Tag. Once you’ve hit publish, leave a comment below with the link to your post.
4. Use the hashtag #MyBizBlogTag when sharing on social media so we can all find your awesome posts!

As you can see from my answers, your answers can be super short.

If you want an intro to include at the beginning or end of your post, you can use this from Blacksburg Belle:

This blog post is a part of the ‘Behind the Scenes of My Business’ Blog Tag started by April of Blacksburg Belle. She began this blog tag experiment to build community among creatives, help us bloggers to connect more and get to know each other better. This month’s topic is all about sharing the behind the scenes stuff of our businesses. If you’d like to participate or want more info, check out this post right here.

(Disclaimer: It’s totally cool to NOT participate if I tagged you and you either: don’t want to do it or don’t have the time. You won’t totally crush my feelings.)

Easily copy and paste the questions below OR read when you film your video:

Question 1: What’s your two to three sentence bio? (You know, what the heck do you do?)
Question 2: What’s your favorite part of your job?
Question 3: What’s your least favorite part of your job?
Question 4: What are the top three tools you use the most in your work?
Question 5: What business goal would you love to reach before the end of the year?
Question 6: Who are three creatives that inspire you?
Question 7: What do you listen to (if anything) while you work?
Question 8: Morning person or night owl?
Question 9: How many employees do you have and what are the main things they do for you?
Question 10: What’s your favorite social media platform?
Question 11: What’s your least favorite social media platform?
Question 12: What works best when it comes to marketing your business?
Question 13: What’s one thing about your business that your blog readers probably don’t know?
Question 14: If your business were a fashion accessory, what would it be?
Question 15: What’s your top tip for someone who wants to do something similar to you for a career?