Each Saturday, we're going to be featuring a different small business owner or content creator! Getting our content, products, and voices out there to the world can be tough, so creating an inclusive and supportive community is incredibly important. As a small business owner myself, lending a helping hand to others is a key part of our business plan - we want to give back to the community that has been so key to our success!
Our third installment is with Far Away Jewelry who has been creating handmade jewelry from various fandoms such as Marvel and Star Wars!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Jennifer, I’m 19 years old and I live on the very top of Texas right on the border next to Mexico! I am currently a full time student studying at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Major in Theater with a concentration in film production.
What are your favorite fandoms?
My favorite fandoms are Star Wars, Marvel, a bit of Harry Potter as well. I’m also a fan of Shawn Mendes and 5 seconds of summer as well!
When and why did you start Far Away Jewelry?
Around June of 2020, people all around me were finding new things to do to keep them occupied during the pandemic and I was still looking for something to do. One day I was on tiktok and saw another small business owner creating merchandise for Star Wars and I got inspired by them. I loved what they were doing and decided to try it out for myself. I wanted to create jewelry because I noticed how expensive some of the pieces were and how some of the jewelry from bigger companies were not fitted to the actual fandoms, I knew then what I wanted to do. So I got online and started ordering a bunch of supplies to get started. That was when I opened my shop (on Instagram) on July 11th! I then officially made an Etsy shop on January 5th!
What products do you sell?
I sell jewelry based on fandoms like marvel and Star Wars! I sell necklaces, rings, bracelets, and soon keychains.
Where do you sell your products?
I sell my products on Etsy as well as through Instagram dm’s!
What have been some of the lessons (both good and bad) that you've learned since starting your business?
One of the major lessons I have learned throughout owning this business is to be patient. There
will be times where I won’t get any orders for days, weeks, even months and I get discouraged. But I soon realized that these days will come, all I can do is be patient and keep promoting my stuff because someone out there will see it and hopefully purchase something.
Another lesson that I have learned is that promotion and building a relationship with your audience is key to have a successful business. Letting your audience know that you’re there to fulfill their geeky needs and that you’re their friend is very important. Also promoting your products in a way where your audience connects with you is extremely important.
Editor's Note: These are SUCH important lessons to keep at the back of you're mind when starting!
What has been your favorite product or product line to work on and why?
My favorite product to work on is probably either the Obi-wan necklace (pictured above) or the Mandalorian necklace because they are two of my favorite characters and it makes me happy knowing the person that ordered either of them shares the same love for them just like me.
What is your favorite fandom to work on?
My favorite fandom to work on has to be marvel even tho I’m a bigger Star Wars fan than I am Marvel, it’s just a lot faster to work on.
What has been your most popular product?
My most popular product is The Din Djarin/Mandalorian necklace with almost 20 orders! (Pictured to the left)
What is one product you wish got more love?
I really wish the black panther necklace got more love! I really love that necklace, it’s so cute and
simple and has the color purple which is my favorite color! (Necklace pictured below)
What is your favorite social media platform to use and why?
My favorite platform to use definitely has to be Instagram! Tiktok tends to be a little difficult to use just because I run out of ideas for content. On Instagram, it’s way easier for me to interact with my customers and build a better relationship with them.
Where else can we find you on social media?
Is there anything else we should know about you or your business?
My favorite Star Wars movie is Return of the Jedi and my favorite Marvel movie is Captain America Civil War! Obi-Wan & Captain America are my favorite characters from both franchises. My all time favorite movie is The mighty ducks!
