Team Size
3
Revenue
Not Disclosed
Location
Sonoma, CA, US
STart Date
June 2015
Today my female entrepreneur is the great Meghan Boehm – a founder of Meghan Bo Designs, a handmade jewelry brand. In this interview, Meghan shares about her journey from worker to maker and how she made the change over time.
The transition from working for someone else to running your own full-time business doesn’t happen overnight and requires a lot of hard work and patience. Read on to find out more how Meghan has turned her jewelry business to a full-time occupation.
INTRODUCTION
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND THE BUSINESS YOU STARTED.
Meghan Bo came to life in my childhood bedroom, and like a recorded mixed cassette tape, why buy it when you can make it? So while memorizing the lyrics to “Ice Ice Baby” I would delicately organize beads in tackle boxes and string together bracelets for my sisters and friends.
That purpose-driven spirit transitioned to college sorority life, a professional career in the tech industry, to then starting a family of my own. It was during that phase of taking care of everyone else, that I, unfortunately, lost my style and a bit of heart and soul. Thus, Meghan Bo was reborn as a creative outlet to connect back to that joyful, bubbly part of myself that I love to share with the world.
Now as principle designer, mother of two little gentlemen, and wife to an avid sports fanatic, I am proud my necklaces, bracelets, and earrings help women to connect, start a conversation, and feel confident in any given moment.
I truly believe we are not random, we’re here with a plan. And on the horizon are more plans for Mediterranean blue oceans as turquoise as the gemstones I source. More belly laughs with my tribe and shaking my signature hoop earrings with a karaoke mic in my hand. More time to be inspired by the everyday moments that define my collection.
WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE AND HOW DO YOU STAY PRODUCTIVE?
Every day is different! I typically open up my social media accounts first thing in the morning. After I take my kids to school I come home to fill any outstanding orders and answer any emails from customers and wholesale accounts.
After all of my orders are ready to be shipped I either focus on the business side of things; marketing, social media, web maintenance, etc or I design!
THE JOURNEY SO FAR
PLEASE DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING YOUR BUSINESS.
After having my two sons, I was working from home as a technical Recruiter and just didn’t feel good about myself. I vowed to get dressed every morning even if I wasn’t planning on leaving the house and to always put on jewelry. It made me feel put together.
I started playing around with my bead collection again and began making new pieces for family and friends. I started to get orders from friends and realized I had organically created a business without really knowing it. I then opened my Etsy shop and began selling online.
I didn’t plan out a budget, I just started buying supplies carefully and selling what I had on hand. As I sold more, I allowed myself to buy more supplies. I hired a web designer after 3 years and now have two part-time employees.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT AND YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SINCE YOU STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?
In the first 4 years of my business, I was also working a full-time job. Things were hectic as I got busier with my business but also having a full-time job allowed me to save money that I could invest in my business. After 4 years of doing both jobs, I am focused solely on Meghan Bo Designs for over a year now.
WHAT STRATEGY DID YOU USE TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? AND HOW?
My strategy for the first 4 years of business was always to say yes and figure it out after. Now that I have more time, my business strategy has changed and grown. For the past year, I have been focused on branding, marketing, and expansion.
I’ve joined several masterminds for jewelry business that have allowed me to gain the coaching and expertise needed to grow my business.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS?
Business is great. 2019 was my best year and each year I’ve been growing. 2020 hasn’t started how we planned but we will make it through and persevere.
Our goal for 2020 was to team up with more wholesale customers and department stores, we’re hoping when things back to normal we’ll be able to meet those goals.
RECOMMENDATIONS & FINAL THOUGHTS
PLEASE RECOMMEND ANY RESOURCES AND TOOLS THAT YOU USE TO RUN YOUR BUSINESS.
We use Shopify for our e-commerce site and marketing tools are Tailwind, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
Craftybase is great for inventory.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BOOKS, BLOGS OR PODCASTS?
My favorite business podcast is Thrive by Design. Tracy Matthews is brilliant and really has some great advice for jewelry preneuers!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER WOMEN WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?
Just do it, figure it out later! Start out slow, allow yourself time and don’t take it too seriously.
Violeta Semenova
Founder
theBizLadies
Welcome to the Biz Ladies interview series!
If you’re new to these series, I interview women entrepreneurs on how they started their business, what was the idea behind it, how they got where they are, the struggles, the reality and more.
By sharing their stories, we want to inspire other women to get started.
If you are interested to share your own story on the Biz Ladies LET ME KNOW!