Being your boss is the dream for most people; it’s an opportunity to have financial freedom, make your own decisions and specialise in something that you are extremely passionate about. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that there are hundreds of thousands of independent jewellery sellers, many of whom are successful.

If you wish to pursue your dreams but you aren’t sure what areas you need to consider before you do so, we have got 10 things you need to think about, plan for and prepare for your launch of your independent business.

  1. Reinvest Capital

You don’t need a loan to start your business, especially with small independent jewellery if the overheads overall are relatively low, especially if you are a reseller, create your pieces, or you have a supplier that you are in a good position with. Overall, you only need enough money to buy the products to get you going.

Having no debt is a strong place to start and a strong direction to continue, especially for an online store where you can build for free or for as little as 200 pounds a year for a Shopify basic plan, which is all you need.

Having no loan debt means that your overheads are lower and you are left with more revenue to use for self-use and to grow your business, whether it’s used to invest in photoshoots, influencer collabs or magazine features, as seen in ’and so forth.

  1. What CMS?

Point one kind of shifted us into the next consideration, which is which CMS, also known as a content management system, you should use. There are many options on the market, but the most common are WordPress, Shopify or BigCommerce and so forth. The most compatible and simplest to do on your own as a small independent e-commerce business owner is, for sure, Shopify; they have pre-created templates for you to choose from, it’s extremely easy to use, and it has a very affordable basic plan in place. 

They are a creative option for those who aren’t familiar with web development, and there are countless YouTube videos available for any specific customisations you might need or just want to make your website your own.

  1. Social Media

This is mostly common sense, but social media is so important for business owners; whether you are big or small, consistent engagement and posting are key to keeping up with these randomised algorithms. It’s also now important from an SEO perspective, which is your ability to rank with Google Shopping and search results for specific keywords and search queries.

 

Google is going to roll out indexing Instagram posts, and, like with AI being there to answer questions, they are going to display Instagram posts as well. So it’s a powerful platform to post for all kinds of engagement and awareness.

 

It’s also beyond Instagram, but prioritise posts on Pinterest, TikTok and even Facebook depending on your audience. Facebook would likely be better for an older demographic such as targeting people for pension schemes or even a veneers procedure at a Collingwood dentist. Carefully consider the age group of your jewellery brand to ensure you are getting the best return on investment. 

  1. Influencers

They are another key part of social media and your ability to gain mass exposure to audiences you may have never been able to reach before; therefore, if you want to consider influencers, your direct messages will likely include some pitches for them to get a free item for a post. Alternatively, you could join platforms such as Social Cat and more. 

This allows you to see portfolios of digital influencers, including their fees, but also gives you a place to discuss the type of content to create for your brand. You can leave reviews, which is a good opportunity to see other people’s experiences before you invest time and money into someone.

  1. Patience

This doesn’t happen overnight and can take time for you to curate a small following, but it also takes time and trial and error to understand and fully step into your brand image and tone. It’s all a learning curve for everyone, and especially as not a marketing expert, there are things that you don’t realise that you could have benefited from at the beginning of your journey.

Overall, this takes time, and with time will come ups and downs, but along comes insight and knowledge of the market and what works for your brand and your image.

  1. Support System

Starting a business comes with pressure, from yourself and others around you, and that can be overwhelming for some, which leaves them to plateau or create rushed decisions. Having a strong support system that can be there during those panic moments to help you make guided decisions that don’t hinder the progress that you’ve already made is extremely key. 

It’s also important to have friends and family who are encouraging of your business, so if that means sharing posts of your new drops or wearing your Arabic name necklace line. These people should be your biggest supporters; therefore, surround yourself with people who are proud of your journey and will continue to represent your brand through their outfits and social media posts.

  1. Sourcing Materials & Production

Whether you are handmaking your jewellery or you are sending off styles to be created through a supplier, you must be considerate of these. Picking a supplier that is both reliable and sustainable is great for brand image and customer service.

If you are sourcing materials, ensure that they’re environmentally friendly and sustainable and/or local. It is a great selling point but also great for overall production, as you aren’t contributing to any environmental issues; therefore, there is little to no guilt left.

  1. Pricing Strategy

With small businesses, there is a lot more time, dedication and consideration, which not only makes it a lot more personal. Especially when it comes to homemade jewellery, this takes a lot more time. Therefore, it’s normal to want to price your products higher than the average seller does; however, in order to create a brand name and image, but also to gain momentum and visibility, you need to price at a reasonable price. 

In order to charge more and grow, you need to attain a strong following, visibility, trust and popularity within the industry. It doesn’t mean you need 100k on Instagram, but you need to show people why you are worth the extra money compared to a fast fashion brand.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there are so many considerations from a small business perspective to consider, whether it’s CMS options or your sourcing of materials. Begin with the easy stuff, such as curating a product line, creating an Instagram account, getting in touch with suppliers and saving the capital to get yourself started. 

Just remember this isn’t a race and there will be times when business is slow, but that also gives you the opportunity to think of new strategies and products to grow.