In a recent conversation with an extremely successful jewelry artist friend, she told me that newbie jewelry artists often contact her for jewelry business information.
They want to know everything - her wholesale sources for jewelry supplies, how she does various things in her business, where she gets her customers, what jewelry packaging and labeling she uses, her pricing formulas, etc.
While my friend is extremely generous and helpful with these people, she says that she (quite justifiably) doesn’t really want to just hand over information that took her years to develop and discover on her own.
I agree that she shouldn’t feel obligated to give away any of her hard-earned secrets (research, sources, niches, tricks of the trade, etc.) - especially in a competitive market such as jewelry.
I also believe there are two more reasons why each jewelry artist should forge his or her own path:
1) Struggling makes us stronger.
Networking and researching are important parts of each artist’s evolutionary process. If we as jewelry artists don’t “earn” the knowledge by doing the research ourselves, finding our own best information sources and jewelry suppliers, and carving out our own unique way - we’ll miss out on the valuable learning experiences, resources, and connections that lay the groundwork for a successful business.
Also, the creative problem-solving skills and perseverance we develop by working our own way up to the top are what will enable us to keep our jewelry businesses going when times get tough.
Just as the strongest butterflies are the ones that struggled to get out of their cocoons, the most successful businesspeople are the ones who have weathered both successes and failures - and keep evolving ways to get better.
2) Uniqueness sells.
If we copy someone else’s successful jewelry business, our own businesses won’t be unique.
Uniqueness gives you a strong brand image, so customers won’t forget you – or your jewelry – after the show. It’s an especially important element of an art-related business.
Your jewelry will sell much better if it’s unique. Being different is an excellent way to build a loyal customer base and sell more jewelry at higher prices.
Here’s an easy two-part strategy for building a successful jewelry business by being different:
- Always have new jewelry styles on display for your repeat customers to see.
- Offer jewelry your customers won’t find anywhere else.
Our best customers are the people who are seeking something different - they prefer pieces that are high quality, unique and artistic. That’s one reason they like handmade jewelry. They want something they’ll never find anywhere else, and when they discover how different you and your products are, they will turn into your very loyal customers.
So the wisest strategy is to build your jewelry business on providing customers with something different.
The farther I go in my jewelry business, the more I realize the importance of offering my customers unique jewelry, unique packaging, and a unique buying experience.
We need to innovate. Evolve. Be anything but mainstream.
Our biggest success happens when we’re inspired by the talent and success of other jewelry artists - but forge our own unique businesses.
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i totally agree. I have been in the same situation before.