SPEAKER_00
If embracing new strategies in your jewelry business is something that brings up a lot of fear and hesitation, you are going to love my latest conversation with one of my dear clients who's been in business over 17 years. And we are talking about all the lessons she's learned during that time and how she's had to feel the fear and really go all in and trust the process as we implement new strategies into her business and how those have given her back her time, given her more energy, given her more focus and structure and the confidence to really take her business to the next level. And before we dive in, you know, this is our last episode for 2023, which is so exciting.

We have some incredible things planned for 2024. I cannot wait to share them with you guys. But it is the perfect time of year to really get here on how you want 2024 to look, you know, one year from today, you know, even if you're listening to those that are later date, but one year from today, how do you want to be feeling in your business? What milestones do you want to be celebrating? And what are you doing now to make sure that you are in that place one year from today, you know, celebrating those milestones, whether it's going full time in your business or driving consistent sales or expanding your audience and visibility and having multiple streams of revenue, whatever that is for you, get clear on what your goals are and then what you're going to do to actually make that a reality.

And if you are ready to go all in on your jewelry business in 2024, if you are ready to go all in on yourself, if you are ready to trust the process and put in the work, then I would love to invite you to join me in the jewelry business academy. You guys know it is one of the most expensive containers for jewelry business owners wanting to grow and scale their jewelry business. And if you are ready to embrace the right strategies for you and for your brand that really are going to fulfill your why at the end of the day in your business, if you are wanting my eyes and my perspective on your business so we can actually make tweaks and pivots and make changes and implement things as required to actually get you those results, then come join me in the jewelry business academy.

You can head to jewelrybusiness academy.ca to learn more. And you can go and book in a call with me or my team to dive into where your business is at right now.

So head to jewelrybusinessacademy.ca to learn more and I will see you on the other side. My name is Robin Clark and I'm obsessed with all things business and marketing.

I'm a jewelry designer who left the corporate world and grew a successful jewelry business. And now I help women just like you from around the world do the same. I'm the founder and CEO of the jewelry business academy, the host of the jewelry business academy podcast.

And I'm here to help you scale your jewelry business to six figures and beyond without burning out. Through my coaching program and podcast, I help you navigate the challenging seasons of business, as well as teach you the secrets to building a sustainable business that makes you feel good. So grab a cup of tea and your notebook, get cozy and let's dive in.

Hello and welcome back. This is our last episode for 2023 and I'm so happy that you've joined me today. I'm really looking forward to sharing this episode with you because I had such a wonderful conversation with one of my dear client stage C, Hodgkiss, who is the founder and designer behind Running with Sizz's jewelry.

And honestly, I just loved our conversation and I found it so inspiring and motivating. And so I did shift up this episode to come out this week specifically because I feel like it's a really upbeat conversation and it's really motivating. And so I think you guys are going to love it.

And I hope it inspires you to really take action in 2024 and really continue building this business of your dreams and, you know, feeling the fear and taking action anyway. So Stacey is an incredibly successful jewelry business owner who's been in business over 17 years now. And in our conversation she shares her journey and the insights that she's learned along the way on building a really thriving brand and the lessons that she's learned in embracing new strategies.

We also talk about the importance of starting with a very clear end goal and her experience with not doing that initially and then working with a coach to really streamline her business growth. So we talked about so many different things, you know, Stacey really talks about how important it is as a jewelry designer to go all in on creating pieces that you love. And then trust that your customers are going to love that too.

And that's something I preach all the time. You guys know I'm a massive fan of doing that, going all in on you, finding your voice, finding your style and doing that and not trying to mold yourself into what you think people need you to be in order to like you and to buy from you. We also talk about the benefits of building a jewelry business in a way that you can be really present with your family and with your children as Stacey has been able to be for the past 17 years while running her business and the impact that it's had on their sense of business and entrepreneurship as well.

And this as I mentioned is an extra special episode as Stacey has been a member of the Jewelry Business Academy for a couple of weeks and I've been working with her. So you know, I know her in her business pretty well. So this is an extra special episode and we're going to bring her back on in a couple of months as well just to see the growth and evolution as she implements more of the program into her business.

So you know, we talk about all things from starting your jewelry business, overcoming insecurities and building your confidence, creating a really authentic and personalized jewelry that you feel good about putting out there, balancing business and motherhoods. Stacey's experience of being in the Jewelry Business Academy, overcoming the fear of change and embracing new strategies, implementing work blocks for increased productivity, some of the wins that Stacey's celebrating, how to embrace authenticity and really show up as yourself and the value of knowing what to do and trusting the process and Stacey's advice to other Jewelry business owners looking to scale. So I'm going to let us dive right in.

And if you are listening to this episode, I'd love to hear from you. So screenshot the episode you're listening to and tag me on Instagram. It's Robin Clark Coaching.

I love connecting with you guys and hearing about your business building journey. So don't hesitate to do that. And let's dive right in.

Stacey, it's so good to have you on the Jewelry Business Academy podcast. Thanks so much for joining me. Hi, I'm so honored to be on it.

Yeah, I've really been looking forward to this combo with you. I know we're chatting about it a few weeks ago, I think. But I've already been looking forward to just talking about your business building journey because you've been in the industry for many, many years and you've built Stacey's Sizzles into an incredible brand.

And this is an extra special episode because you have been a part of the Jewelry Business Academy for a couple of weeks now, still early days, but a couple of weeks. And so I know you and your business relatively well. And so, you know, I know that your story is really going to inspire a lot of jewelers who are maybe in the early stages or maybe at similar stages you and wanting to scale and not really sure what that looks like for them.

So before we dive into everything else, do you want to go ahead and introduce yourself to our listeners and just give them a little bit of background as to how you got to where you are today? Yes, I actually am a

SPEAKER_01
college graduate. I went to school to be a teacher and I ended up staying home for a year when I had my first baby. And I was bored.

So I started this business and I actually fell in love. I would say it picked me. And now that baby is 17.

She's getting ready to go to college. I'm still doing this and I can't imagine a better way to fill my days. I absolutely love what I do.

I love to teaching as well. But this is just different. It's my own thing.

I just like the creative outlet. And I like that it's flexible. I get to make my schedule.

I get to be mom first. I mean,

SPEAKER_00
it's just, it's a lot of fun. I really love it. I love that so much.

Honestly, I know this is going to inspire so many people because I was actually chatting to a new mother yesterday who's just had her little one and she's wanting to do the same. And it's so interesting to see somebody who's like 17 years down the line who started in the same position and like, I know ended up going all in on your jewelry business for all these years. So, you know, for somebody who's listening, who's where you were 17 years ago, if you can think back that far.

And it's at that point of, okay, well, I have these babies at home and, you know, I kind of want to try make this jewelry business work. It's a really hard decision to make at that stage because you actually don't know if you're going to make it at that stage. So, what would you say to like somebody who's in that situation

SPEAKER_01
where you were 17 years ago? Wow, if I could go back and talk to myself in that moment, I would have changed so much of how I started. Because if you have like an end goal in mind and you know where it's going, you can streamline things to take you there faster and more efficient ways. And I just, I really started it as a hobby.

I never really intended it for it to grow so big. I was, you know, having other plans, this was not going to be my job. So, I really just really wish I would have started working with a coach sooner and, you know, decided this is going to be my career and how do I want, what are my future goals going to be? I think in the beginning, I was just kind of having fun.

And if I sold something, it was extra money and it was fun. But thankfully, my husband was able to financially afford for me to do that. I think a lot of people when they start their business, they're financially needing to depend on it.

And I think the fact that I didn't have to do, had to worry, you know, made it me more willing to just jump in and do it and not give up because I wasn't relying on it. I didn't have that pressure. So, I think the pressure is a big deal when it's your only income.

You know, I know a lot of other people when we're on our group calls and a lot of them are making the transition from their real nine to five to this job. And it's a lot. It's a lot to take on.

Luckily, I feel like I had the freedom to explore it without the pressure. So, I, you know, I think that that's a really easy way to go about it. But I don't think a lot of people have that luxury.

SPEAKER_00
No, definitely not. I think, like, it's definitely a blessing to be given that opportunity of, like, the time and the pressure, that financial pressure being taken off, it definitely makes a difference. So, it's definitely a blessing.

And I know there's a lot of mothers listening to who do have that. And they still, there's still so much fear even with that in even just putting your own work out there, even in just selling. Have you, like, I know you're a confident seller now, but have you ever had moments where you felt like uncomfortable?

SPEAKER_01
So, so many, so many, so many, more than I can count. I have, I mean, I started making hand-casted resin. And that took me a long time even just to make something sellable.

And so, there was just a lot of trial and error in the beginning when you're selling something that you're like, I don't know, I think this one's pretty good, but it's still not perfect, you know, and just the anxiety of the person getting it. And oh my gosh, what if they say, you know, it's ugly or it's not perfect or it's, and I mean, I've luckily had really good customers who've been really kind. But then I also transitioned to getting a laser cutter and that was a whole new learning curve and catching it on fire and sending out pieces that were rough around the edges because I was still trying to figure out settings and it's been a lot of trial and error.

I've made so many mistakes. My customers have usually been good about it. They've given me a lot of grace over the years.

And I think through all that and starting with something so rough, now I'm more confident because I know, oh, these products are great because I came from that. So, if you're starting there and that's where you're at, just keep at it. You will refine.

And then after you have really made all these mistakes, you finally know like, okay, you know, the 49 I made before this were okay, but these are great. And I think you knowing

SPEAKER_00
that it's great gives you the confidence. Yeah. Yeah, I love that. I honestly, I love your story because you really just went all in on taking messy action and that trial and error and no matter what happened, I mean, I haven't even heard the story about your machine catching on fire that sounds very eventful.

That would put a lot of people off for life because that's scary and that's dangerous. And it can also breed imposter syndrome big time when things like that happen. And you just kept moving forward.

You kept like you built that resilience that, hey, mistakes can happen, like things can happen. And I'm going to keep moving forward until I succeed in business. And I think that's a really helpful mindset to have.

And I think the fact that you know, obviously now you're super confident in your products, your products are such good great quality and you've had 17 years essentially to perfect this. But not only that you have this conviction within your brand and your products and that comes across in the way you talk about it. And that comes across in the way you present on Instagram and chat to your customers.

You are so confident and you have so much conviction in what you're putting out there and people can feel that. And it's hard for newer business owners to recognize that missing piece that they have. And that comes with time, that conviction in what you're doing comes with time.

So what would you say is like a piece of advice you'd give to somebody who is maybe a couple years in but still isn't feeling confident in their pieces. They haven't got that conviction yet. And they're maybe like, going back and forth as to like, should I keep going here?

SPEAKER_01
Oh my gosh, I heard the best. It wasn't a quote, but a musician was on Instagram, or maybe it was TikTok, saying how when they create art, you know, all these musicians say, I create it for the fans, I create it for the audience, we're here for the audience. And this musician said, actually, I create it for me.

Because if I create a piece of art for me that I love, and this is everything I put myself into it, and I love this, that's the best we can do for our fans or for our audience. And I just thought that was so amazing, like, you know, if you're trying to make something that you think other people are going to like, it's forced, and it's just, there's not, it doesn't have the same authenticity. So I think if you make something that you love, that you want to wear, a lot of times I get my ideas from my outfits, oh, I have this outfit, I need these earrings to go with it.

But if you make something for you that you love, that you want, I guarantee you there's people out there who also want it, who also love it. So instead of trying to, you know, search trending words and seeing what your audience wants, I make stuff that I like, you know, and I think if you do that as corny as it sounds, if you make something with love that you love it, it carries the energy. And I think you can feel it.

I always say like, handmade jewelry has like a love you can feel. If it's made with love and joy and happiness, I really think the energy is in the piece as cheesy as it sounds. Oh my gosh, I love this so

SPEAKER_00
much, Stacy. Like, I couldn't agree with you more. Like, there's definitely, well, number one, when it comes to handmade pieces, you can feel that energy, you can feel the love and care that's gone into pieces.

And one of the things about jewelry that I love is it is an emotional piece, which means when people are purchasing, they also are associating the whole environment in which it was made with that piece. And like for me personally, when I buy something, I'll always think of like, okay, that person made it in this environment, this feeling like this much love was poured into it, like that means a lot to me. And for a lot of buyers, that's really, really important.

And I think your thing of like not hopping on trends, I see a lot of people doing that. And that comes from a place of insecurity of what do I need to do for people to like me and then buy from me. Instead of doing that, that breeds a lot of insecurity, that breeds a lot of imposter syndrome, big time as well.

And instead of doing that, going all in on finding out what it is that you like. And I think that's where there's a big disconnect often is because, you know, and I see it with some of my clients who struggle to find their voice initially, because maybe for many years, they've been in the corporate world where they've had to mold themselves into a different version. And then even just finding their voice, finding their taste of what they like and what they wanted to design takes a little bit of breaking down some walls and it takes some time.

But like, I agree, like when you when you go all in on what you love, and you put that out there, the way that you present it, people who like the same thing, people who like the energy you're putting out there are going to be drawn in and they're going to feel that passion that you have for those pieces. And that's going to drive connection and that drives sales and it builds your community as well, because, you know, just in the way that you're showing up. So I love that so much, Stacy.

And one quick question, because obviously, you've you've got two daughters, am I

SPEAKER_01
right? That's right. They're 15 and 17. And there's still a lot of work, actually.

Yeah, I can, I can

SPEAKER_00
believe that. So I have a question for our listeners who are maybe like mothers with younger children who are thinking like, Okay, well, how is building this business really going to impact my life as I raise my children? Like, what are the what would you say is like top one to three things that you're so grateful that this business has enabled you to do with your children? Oh,

SPEAKER_01
only one to three, I have so many. It's really been the best thing ever. I actually, I love to show my girls, by example, that you can do whatever you want.

You know, there's there's more than one way to get from point A to point B. I want to create a legacy for them. And I think this has done so much for them in the fact that when they need money, or, you know, oh, mom, I want to get this, I have them work for me.

I have had them work events with me. I tell them, you know, this section, these items, these are yours, you're responsible for setting them up, making them and selling them. You know, I make them talk to my customers, I really think it's had a great impact on my daughters.

Just just their sense of business. And I think they can take that and carry it anywhere. And I also think it's made a big impact that I've been home.

When they're sick, I'm here. When they have a field trip, I'm there. You know, I think I think being present has been really good.

And yeah, just leading by example, I think has been great.

SPEAKER_00
I love that so much. I think it's so like, beautiful and such a blessing to have been able to spend like 17 years at home with your daughters and have them involved in your business in little ways. And you know, I always say, entrepreneurship is such a personal growth journey and being able to invite your daughters into that and for them to be exposed to that and learn and grow in that way as well.

And also be involved in what you're doing is just so, so special. And so I really love that. And I think a lot of mothers listening are going to feel really inspired by that as well.

So I want to kind of fast forward now, because obviously, as we've mentioned, you've been in business for 17 years and you've been doing really well. But you know, I would say I want to talk a little bit about your experience in the academy in the jewelry business academy, because you've been in there for a couple of weeks now, still very early days. But can you think back before we talk about your experience in the program, think back to a few weeks before you joined? How are you feeling before you came

SPEAKER_01
into the program? Do you remember? Well, yes, absolutely. I have kind of been baby stepping this business this whole time, because my main role has been mom. So I've just kind of try on error, okay, this worked, I'll do this, you know, I'll watch a couple, you know, YouTube videos, how can I be better at this? Okay, and then I try that, you know, I try this.

And now my kids are becoming to be more independent. So I have more time to throw into it. And I just, I'm just always wanting to be better at my craft or whatever I'm doing.

So I just felt like having an actual coach who knows, especially about jewelry specific, where I should really be putting my energy, really helps me to focus on the important necessary things, instead of me spinning my wheels, trying this theory and this theory. And then as soon as you know, the results are kind of, I'm on to the next thing, because I don't want to invest any more time. But if I have somebody saying, hey, this is what you need to do, this works, this yields results, then I'm more willing to go all in and give it my all.

And if the results are kind of wishy washy, I know, no, stick with it. So it's a piece of mind, it's like, I don't know, you just are more willing to do the work. If you know that you're doing the work in the right places, the right areas, the right ways.

So it's almost like a piece of mind. Yeah, where I, I feel like I'm being guided in the right way. I'm not just floundering around guessing takes the guesswork out of it.

So I really regret not doing this sooner. But I think since it has been successful, that was kind of to my detriment, because if it's going good, why fix it? So I think if I would have had more, like more of a struggle, I maybe would have been reaching out, but since it's been going pretty good, I just kind of went with the flow. But I can really see now how much more potential I have doing certain things.

And if I would have started this a long time ago, I can only imagine where I would be now, but that's okay. Everything in its time. But that's my advice, just get a coach

SPEAKER_00
early on. Yeah, you can save so much time. But you know, you've done an incredible job getting to where you are.

And I think, you know, the one thing I remember is that you, you, you are doing well, sales wise and in your business, like you are, I would almost say you, you would have considered yourself to be thriving before we start working together, would you say that's correct? For sure. You are thriving, you are not struggling. And it is hard to get support at that point, because it's kind of like, well, how is this going to help me? So, you know, let's talk about, like you've been in it for a couple of weeks now.

How are you feeling now? Where do you feel like it's helped you so far, even though we're only just getting started? I, it's just opened my eyes to

SPEAKER_01
where I want to go with it, to the point where I honestly feel super, I want to say overwhelmed, but not in a stressful way, but just like on the brink of there's so many cool things I'm going to do. Like I have so many things that I'm looking forward to. And this has been my busiest season, obviously, I have not been able to do as many modules as I would like to.

But come new year, I have so many plans to do so many things and just to break out in a different way to start doing more of the wholesale and stuff like that. Just go big, really, with it, bigger than I have been. And even though it's successful, I know it can be better.

So, I mean,

SPEAKER_00
I love that. And Stacy, I remember a conversation that we had, and we can cut this out if you are not comfortable for us to share this. But I remember us chatting at one point, I think before you signed up, you were quite anxious about like, okay, but what if we implement these strategies and everything that I've built up to now, it comes tumbling down and my business kind of just like, like what if it like negatively impact sales.

And I think there was quite a lot of anxiety in introducing something new after being so consistent for 17 years. Can you talk around that a little

SPEAKER_01
bit and how you're feeling now? Yeah, definitely. Because what I had built worked. Yeah. Could it be better? Sure. But could it be worse? Yes.

So, you know, it's just when you find something that works, it's scary to switch it up. The fear that it won't work, or that it'll make things worse is very real. However, I slept on it and I just kind of had to take a risk, I guess.

I took a chance. And I guess I chopped it up to, well, if it doesn't work, I'll go back. I'll go back to my old way.

If I did it once, I could do it again. So I kind of used that as like a back burner plan. And I was like, the only thing I stand to lose then is the money I'm paying Robin, which is a concern.

But you had a guarantee for, you know, success. So I was like, well, then that takes that, you know, risk down. So then at that point, it was like, why not? Why not? If it could be better, why not? I can always go back to my old way.

But now I'm like, it's not even like a new way. It's just doing what I'm doing in a more streamlined, beneficial way. You know, it's not even like I'm doing something completely different.

It's just streamlining how

SPEAKER_00
I'm doing it to yield better results. Yeah. And I love that you shared that, Stacey, because I remember this conversation, and I was like, we're not going to do anything drastic to jeopardize any revenue streams. We do it gradually.

We do it as a refinement process. And I know one of the things we did was we've cut your work hours or added in more breaks into your day. And we've also just given you kind of quite a more of a set schedule and just those things.

I remember you reaching out and letting me know kind of how those had impacted you just pretty quickly into your journey. Do you want to share if you remember how that's been? Yes.

SPEAKER_01
This has been, I have integrated this into every area of my life. So what I used to do is come to my office, okay, I have three things to do. Social media, pack these orders, you know, and design this design.

Well, if you have eight, nine hours to do that, and you have your three goals, you'll spend eight or nine hours to do those three goals. But now with like, okay, I have a 90 minute block for this social media. Okay, since I know I have like a 90 minute block, I'll get it done in the 90 minutes.

Something about the timer ticking. And I know, okay, I got to move on. It just, you'll get it done, you'll get it done.

And then I take a break and then I come back and it's 90 minutes to pack these orders. Oh my gosh. And I'll get it done.

And then, you know, I'll spend the next block creating this design and I'll get it done. So now I've worked literally half of my usual workday. And I've gotten the tasks done.

And I've gotten to the point where I will do this to clean my house. I'll be like, okay, I'm going to set 90 minutes and I'm going to see how much I can clean. And it's stupid how much I can clean in 90 minutes if a timer is telling me I only have 90 minutes.

So I've been using that additional time to work on bettering my business and my future goals. Whereas before I would say I have no time to do that. So doing the work blocks.

And I've had to, this has been hard because let's say it's 90 minutes for social media and I don't get the three stories, the one post and the one real done or I have an appointment so I missed that window or whatever. It's been a new challenge for me to realize that's okay. Skip that window.

Move on. You're going to do it tomorrow. You have another block for that tomorrow.

It's okay. Keep moving because the old me would come home and start at the beginning of my day and try to get all these things done. And it's almost takes more time to come home, get your bearings, figure out what you're going to do and get started.

Whereas now I'm like, okay, what block am I in? Let's do that. It takes the guesswork out of it. I hit the ground running and whatever block was missed.

Oh well, come back at it tomorrow. So it actually has been really liberating in that way, like stress relieving. I'm not like, oh no, I went and I did this and that.

No, I don't have time for all these things. It's like, no, skip that window. What's next? Do it.

So I think that's been good too. Just to help me figure out like what I should be doing. Should I be coming home after an appointment

SPEAKER_00
trying to cram my whole work day in? Maybe not. Yeah. It comes down to like freeing up that headspace. Freeing up that headspace and knowing that also integrating your business with your life.

Like you don't want your business running your life. You want it to integrate with your life. So the whole reason you have a business is so you can go run errands in the morning and come back and not have a massive to-do list to check through in the afternoon.

Like I think it's like embracing the integration of that. So I love that, Stacey. Do you have a few minutes to go over or are you on a tight schedule? Yeah.

Perfect. I just want to make sure because we've been chatting for a while. I didn't realize at time.

But I would love to know what are some of the wins you've experienced since joining the Academy. I remember I think it was around Black Friday. I think you did an Instagram live sale and you shared some wins from that.

So I don't know if you're comfortable

SPEAKER_01
sharing some of the wins that you've experienced so far. Yeah. So I do these Instagram live sales where I go live and I show all my new merchandise and I sell it live. And then after that, I'll put it on my website.

So that gives my shoppers like a first time to buy. And I always will buy a promoted post before every live just to boost the awareness, get people on. Let's get more people this time and last time.

I always have these goals. And so I'm buying these promoted posts. Well, the last one per your advice, I did not buy a promoted post.

And I did the marketing that you suggested prior to and it was by far the best. The most people on it, you know, on the live best sales, everything. And I think that really like solidified the belief for me that this is working.

This, you know, because the day before I was really like, I know Robin said not to do a promoted post, but should I just do it anyway? I mean, what is it going to hurt? I did the marketing, but I could also just buy the post and I was having this like internal dilemma. And then I finally was like, no, we're going to trust the coach. This is why we got the coach.

We're going to do what the coach said. Okay, I'm going to do it. We're going to put our faith in this new method.

We're going to do it. No promoted post. I didn't promote it.

Ended up being the best ever. And I was like, oh my god, why am I questioning her? Like this is why I hired you. Why am I over here like maybe I should not do what she says.

That's so ridiculous. So I think that moment and then it being such a success was really like, okay, just don't question it. Just do it.

This is the reason why you go to a coach. Because you're trying to figure it out on your own before. Now you have somebody to tell you, and then you want to question what they tell you that's done.

Just that's the reason you're here. Trust your advice. I did it.

It worked. So I think it was good for me to have that little freak out and then success because it helped me realize to trust the process. It's hard to break old habits, man.

It is really hard. It's scary. It's you're going out into new uncharted territory.

It's easy to fall back to what you know works. But I mean, this worked better. So it's really creating new habits and new ways of thinking just all around.

So I'm so glad you share that Stacy, because

SPEAKER_00
it is so true. It's actually very hard for some people, especially when you're more established and you have these routines and habits and ways of doing things to relax into a new process. It takes testing it out a few times and being like, okay, let me dip my foot in and see.

And then I can kind of relax more into it. And now moving forward, I think you'll find it even easier because you're like, okay, I think she knows what she's doing here. So I love that.

And what would you say is one of the biggest lessons that you've learned since joining the Academy?

SPEAKER_01
Wow, that's hard. Biggest lessons? Oh, man. Basically, the most like wow moment is that it doesn't have to be perfect.

Just show up real. Because I really thought you were going to sit when I first hired you, I thought I was like, oh my gosh, she is going to troll my Instagram and she is going to be like, this messy hair, don't care post, delete it. But instead you were like, come on, messy hair, just be authentic, you know, it comes through.

So I think that was like a really big aha for me, like, oh my gosh, I don't have to try to do these like really overproduced, amazing, stunning Instagram posts. I just need to come on. So and then I started thinking about a lot of the jewelry people that I follow and watch.

And they're not like over crazy produced either, they're coming on, they're talking about their dogs and their day and they're having ice cream or whatever it might be. So it was cool to realize that, you know, you don't need to present as this highly polished, beautiful, perfect gem all the time. I think that was like a really big, like, wow moment for me.

SPEAKER_00
Yeah, you know what, it's so interesting how how so many people feel that they have to present in a certain way for people to know, like, trust and buy from them. And it's so different on social media, especially in the market that we're in right now, people just want to connect with a real person who shows up as they are, you don't have to be anyone else for them to want to buy from you. And that's such a it's such a relief to be able to be like, I will be accepted and loved in like, people buy from me, no matter how I'm showing up, I can show up with no makeup.

I mean, I have a lot of clients that show up with no makeup, messy hair, whatever. And it doesn't matter, all that matters is that you're showing up in a way that's authentic to you. And then obviously, putting out the right types of content that we know are hitting the different buyers and all of that.

But yeah, I think that's a beautiful lesson, Stacy. So I would love to know, you know, what has been your favorite, one of your favorite parts of being a part of the jewelry business academy? And what are you enjoying the most? For me, it goes back to knowing what to do with no

SPEAKER_01
question. That's that's been the most beneficial part to it. Just like knowing, okay, this is what I should be doing.

And the peace of mind knowing this is what I should be doing. There's no questions behind it. It's the clear mind like, Okay, this is what I need to do.

These are the three things I need to do. Just do it. You know, I think I think I wasted so much time with trying to guess where my time is best spent.

Okay, should I be doing this? Should I be, you know, just knowing, just being like, Okay, this is what I need to do this, this, this and do it. It's simple. Honestly, when you know what to do, it's simple to do.

Yeah. Yeah. No, I totally

SPEAKER_00
agree. I think we put sometimes we we spend so much time thinking of all the things we need to do, and we build it up into this very complex thing. And I always say like a jewelry business is just an accumulation of teeny tiny doable steps.

And it's knowing what are the right steps for your business and what works for your lifestyle and how much time and energy you have. And it's getting the right kind of formula for your business. So I'm so happy to hear that Stacy.

And I'd love to hear that Stacy. And I'd love to know what would your advice be to somebody who's listening to this who maybe is thriving in their business, and they are doing well. And they but they maybe have hit a plateau, but they're like, Well, I'm doing well, like there's no need to change things.

What would your advice be to somebody who's thinking about getting support in the academy, but they're, you know, not too sure about investing in themselves in their business?

SPEAKER_01
I would say it pays for itself. Because the amount of extra sales and extra customers you acquire doing the correct steps, it pays for the coaching, the extra sales pay for the coaching. So then if that's the case, why not? You know, it could always be better.

It could always be better. You know, and even if let's just say the sales were the same, just having my day in these work windows, I mean, just for the pure structure and ease of mind, even if the sales weren't better, it would still be better. It's a better workday.

It's a better workflow. I just love it. I really can't believe I didn't do this sooner.

But also, it's hard to choose somebody because you don't know who's authentic and who's going to really help you. So it's that that's a huge part of it. That was a huge part of why I was like, I don't know, should I trust this person? Does she really know? So I think that if you can do some research and I mean, I can't tell you how much I googled and watched people on YouTube talk about you and your coaching strategies, I couldn't find one naysayer.

So I was like, well, if people are upset, they hit YouTube, you know, they talk about when they're upset. I couldn't find anybody upset. So I was like, well, that's a good sign.

So I think if you can find somebody that you can trust and actually follow their advice, that's everything. That was a big hurdle for me.

SPEAKER_00
Yeah, I mean, I totally get it. It is big. That trust thing is massive.

So I'm so glad that you kind of, there was a lot of fear there. I remember there was a lot of fear, but you kind of felt the fear you did your research, you came in and you kind of embraced the strategies, embraced the structure. And I'm so glad that you did, Stacey.

It's been so much fun working with you. And whereas only just getting started, which like, there's so much potential here, and you know what we have in the works as well for you. So I'm excited for you and your business.

Is there anything else you want to share with our listeners before we wrap up? Anything else that we didn't cover?

SPEAKER_01
Just that if you're not working with the coach, find somebody that speaks to you and work with a coach. It's so beneficial in so many ways.

SPEAKER_00
Yeah, I totally agree. And I'm not being biased. But I've obviously shared my journey on this podcast a couple of times.

And it's very different having that support and the community aspect as well and just the structure, it frees up so much headspace. So I'm so glad that you have a good experience. And I'm looking forward to bringing you back in a couple of months so we can share like the growth and the evolution and the lessons learned a few months down the line as well.

So this has been so much fun, Stacey. Thank you for sharing your story and your lessons learned so openly. And I know we're going to have listeners who are going to feel so inspired by you and your story.

And also, I think we have a lot of listeners who would love to potentially order some laser engraved pieces from you or logo pendants or anything like that. So for anyone who's been inspired and wants to connect with you on your journey, where can they find you and how

SPEAKER_01
can they support you? Oh, man. I am Stacey Scissors on Instagram. And my website is shoprws.

com. It's for running with scissors. That's the name of my business.

And do you want to talk about those

SPEAKER_00
little pendants? Because I think you could get some people really interested in those. Yes.

SPEAKER_01
I make super crazy fun colorful bright big bold statement jewelry for living your best life. This is the making cookies bit necklace. It's got like a little kit for making gingerbread cookies and of course matching earrings because I love them.

I love them. They're so cute. It's fun.

It's super fun jewelry and I do a lot of stuff for every holiday and I love it. It's expressive and

SPEAKER_00
always made with love. I love that so much, Stacey. Well, thank you again for being here and for sharing your story and I can't wait to bring you back on in a couple of months.

I'll be ready. Thank you for being here and thank you for tuning in every single week to our podcast. Honestly, I'm so grateful to be able to support you guys on your business building journeys through our podcast and through our Instagram content and we don't run ads on this podcast.

And so it would mean the world to me if you took one minute to leave me a five star review for the podcast on Apple podcast. If you are finding these episodes inspiring and motivating and encouraging. And if you haven't got a plan for 2024, I want to invite you to join me in the jewelry business academy.

Let's make 2024 the best year yet. Let's get you into a community of jewelry business owners all doing the same thing as you all building and scaling their business. Let's get you feeling connected on this journey because hey, I know how lonely entrepreneurship can feel and I don't want you to feel that way.

Let's get you feeling connected. Let's get you feeling supported and let's get the right strategies and systems in place in your business and teach you how to implement and execute them properly so you can actually see your results because at the end of the day, that's how you're going to drive sales. And if you're driving sales, you're actually able to build a profitable business which does fulfill your why.

So if that feels exciting, head to jewelrybusinessacademy.ca and I will see you on the other side.