051: Community, Chains & Clarity: Catching Up with Arc & Alloy
Today we are chatting with Melissa from Arc & Alloy in New Jersey & so much has happened since our strategy call! After almost two years in business, Melissa is proof that following your gut can change everything. With a career in dental work, she decided to add on permanent jewelry after discovering it with her bestie! She happened to stumble into a shop also offering permanent jewelry training and hasn’t looked back since!
In this episode, we talk about how she's grown her biz through community collabs, word of mouth, and just showing up, especially with other women-owned businesses. Melissa shares her tips for getting into events (even when the hosts are hesitant), how she educates her customers, and even how to recycles chains. Smart, right?
We also chat about the messy middle, when you hit that 2-year mark and start asking, “What’sGoldiegirl143! next?” From booking a strategy call to dreaming big about add-ons and new offerings, Melissa’s ready to evolve her biz and keep it moving forward. She’s also heading to PJX (you going?!) for inspo, networking, and to meet her tribe. Because let’s be real, you need those biz besties who get it. lean on your resources.
This one’s full of honest business talk, encouragement, and a reminder that your growth might be one bold leap away. What's possible when you lean in? If you're at a crossroads in your biz, this is definitely an episode you want to tune into! Let’s do it!
Transcript
Ep 52_ArcandAlloy_GLP_FINAL
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Jen Thyrion: [:This podcast is made to equip you with everything you need to succeed from actionable marketing steps. To digging deep on your mindset, I know firsthand the heart hard work, and let's be real at times, a struggle that makes up this amazing journey. You wanna know what has enabled me to shine the brightest Coaching Plus community?
to the Goldie Links podcast.[:Hey there. Did you know that we offer handmade permanent jewelry supplies? Go to goldie link supplies.com to view our beautiful chains, connectors, Bengals, and more, including our non-permanent stretchy bracelets that are available to you for wholesale. Everything is created by a tribe of mama makers.
What is a mama maker? Stay-at-home moms that create on their own time between raising their children, serving as a self-care creative outlet, and supporting their families. Your items come with signage on how these supplies are made, along with Gemstone property info, as each gemstone has a special meaning.
g vision, where she wants to [:This episode is a follow-up to our first session, and we're getting real about what's happened since. What's shifting and what's next for her brand, if you're at a crossroads in your business or dreaming about what the next level is for you, this conversation is definitely one to tune into. Enjoy. I. Hey Melissa, I'm so glad you're here today.
I'm so excited. Do you wanna share with everyone who you are and just
Melissa: let us get to know you a little bit? Sure. So thank you for having me. My name is Melissa and I own Ark and Alloy permanent Jewelry. I am located in northern New Jersey in an area where there really isn't much permanent jewelry at the moment, but I am almost two years old with my business.
I trained in May of:Jen Thyrion: So what led you into permanent jewelry to start with?
have been a dental hygienist [:And I was working in a pediatric dental office for about eight of those years and I was looking to transition into something a little bit more flexible. I had just had my own child, so I ended up actually leaving pediatric dentistry and going back to general dentistry time, I was bouncing a lot of ideas off of.
My friends and what should I do? I also have my marketing degree. Should I go into the dental corporate world and marry the two? And it just, nothing ever really excited me. So I ended up booking a trip to Florida to visit my best friend, and it was her birthday, so I had actually been dying to get permanent jewelry myself.
made an appointment for us. [:This is what you need to do. And I was like, this is rum. We're not doing this. We, I guess we were just chatting. She had just the whole vibe of the whole room I think is really what my friend felt was very me. Yeah.
Jen Thyrion: Yeah.
Melissa: Actually Athena, she overheard us talking and she said, I do offer training. And I was said, I said, no, no.
I live in New Jersey. I'm just here visiting. It's not gonna work. And she said, yes it will. We have Zoom, we have all of these different platforms. Your best friend lives here, we can make this work. And I left there and I was like, yes, I think I wanna do this. And. On the airplane. I remember thinking, okay, what's my business name going to be?
process, which is hard to do [:That's
Jen Thyrion: amazing. So taking me back to, like you said, you have a marketing degree, so how did you get into dentistry then? Was that something that, what interests you about the den? Like I guess dentistry in general?
Melissa: Yeah, so I went to Quinnipiac University. I got my marketing degree just because it was something just out of high school.
I was, I. A little bit more comfortable doing. I had done a business program in high school, so it was the next step, but again, I never had this fire. This, okay, what am I, what do I wanna do? Marketing's really broad, and actually my boyfriend now husband, his mom is also a dental hygienist, so I think one time I went in, he got his teeth cleaned and I.
Put gloves on. And I, she let me poke around and I was like, this is really cool actually. And so as soon as I graduated marketing with my marketing degree, I went right into hygiene school that fall. So I never skipped a beat, just went right into that and yeah, that was it. And now I still. School hygiene days a week.
hygiene is a very flexible, [:Jen Thyrion: So do you feel like the dentistry part, 'cause you, it seems like you have to be like attention to detail with that as well, I'm assuming. So do you think that kind of played into permanent jewelry a little bit? Although I'm assuming you had no jewelry making skills or anything like that, but do you feel like it was, I don't know, is any skill of it, like related in any way to like dentistry?
I know that sounds weird, but like Yeah. Actually, 'cause I hear a lot of, I think I told you this when we talked before, I know a few girls that were either like dental assistants or orthodontic assistants that end up going into permanent jewelry, which I find, I was like, didn't realize that correlation there.
I.
n they sit down at my table, [:I could see this. 'cause I wear loops while I wear loops for work as well. Dental hygiene work, I'm using the tools, same thing at work. So it definitely mirrors. Dental hygiene very closely, so it's interesting. So it's all the same, like muscle movements as well?
Jen Thyrion: Yeah. That's so cool. So how do you do everything in your business?
Because of course I noticed your social media, and I love your social. I love that you show your face too, and you have such beautiful, is it you do feel like your marketing comes into play with that, or is that come pretty naturally to you?
Melissa: So thank you very much. I do that all myself. Yeah, I think it just, that's what I was interested in school, honestly.
he look I want, or even just [:You don't have to hire somebody to do that.
Jen Thyrion: Exactly. Do you feel like your business has grown, and like you said, you're busier than you ever thought. Is it because of the factors of just the fact that there isn't a lot in your area, or also too, just what do you feel has made that happen with their booming biz?
Melissa: Honestly, the fact that I am pretty involved in my community has really helped elevate, again, I'm a dental hygienist right in my town, which is, we're a pretty large town. We're over 45 square miles, but there's a lot of people. So I feel like I clean a lot of people's teeth that spread the word.
Jen Thyrion: Oh, awesome.
o huge, I think. And so I've [:So I feel like just reaching out to everybody and saying, come on, let's just get together and let's. Do an event or just help each other. That's been huge for me and I feel like just as a permanent jewelry artist, just to be a part of these community events where I did a pep rally last fall for our, our youth football and cheerleading, and they invited me back actually just since we spoke.
they would be interested in.[:It's into sports and school spirit. That's like the route that I've gone is just like really being involved in a lot of the community events.
Jen Thyrion: Yes. That's huge. Yes. And also too, if you already obviously had that customer base, quote unquote, with like your customers or clients, I should say, for dentistry, because I hear this a lot where people feel they're like scared of the rejection, like going into places and hearing the No, and like maybe like how do you deal with that?
Do you ever feel that kind of fear or are you just already, because for me, I think because I already had the boutique as well and I was used to doing markets, that wasn't as big of a fear for me. So sometimes I. Have to remember. Oh yeah. No one, not everybody has that backbone of having already people, maybe a profession.
You talk to people all the time and you're talking to new people all the time. How do you like deal with that? Or going into a place or talking to someone you've never talked before? I.
Melissa: Yeah. Not everybody is, first of all, not everybody still understands what permanent jewelry is. They still think I might be piercing their skin.
me that confused look. So as [:They'll say, oh, I don't know. I'm not really, I can't commit. I don't, I like to take everything off at night, or I like to change my jewelry. And I say, that's fine. If that's something that's not going to work for you, that's okay too. Or I'll, I do have a class. It does take away from the. A little bit, but the options are there for it.
Or I, I always try to pivot a little bit. I have a ton of girl moms that come and say, oh, my daughter really wants to do this, but she does cheerleading or she does gymnastics and she's not allowed to wear jewelry. So we'll pivot. A lot of times clasps, I'll give them the little tips and tricks of the other moms have said, oh hey, you could use athletic tape and cover your bracelet so it doesn't get pulled up or doesn't break.
ays try to solution search I [:Jen Thyrion: I know. I can't tell you how many times I hear that.
And even like a place that like you approach, like boning a pop-up at a boutique for example. And they also are like, no, I don't think that's really, 'cause actually there's a place, and I've talked about 'em before, I believe, but it's called cast rock nutrition. And they just serve like shakes, right? And so I approached them when I was first starting and they were like, I don't really think that like.
Our customers would be into that. And I was like, actually I think they would, most of 'em are very active and this the, these you don't feel, and in the end we end up like convinced her basically to do a popup. And sure enough, I like have a regular popup there probably twice a year or three times a year.
So it takes some, just planting the seed as I say, because even whether it be with customer or like a place of business where you'd like to do a popup, they might say no right now, but it might be something that they think about later and they're like, man, if it's something that kind nags at 'em or they.
was that one girl that came [:I decide to try it. Or I always suggest people try it permanent. First, and I'm like, listen, I can always put a clasp on later. Right? Or we can make it something else. That's what people don't realize. Like you can make this into a two rings if you don't like it as a bracelet. We can make a little, add a little bit, make it an inlet.
Like we can do so many things with it. To let people know it's truly customizable is then they're not hesitant to spend the money, I guess.
Melissa: Yes, and I feel sometimes I feel that the permanent jewelry, it got hindered by that name. 'cause some people are a little bit like totally permanent. Permanent. I don't know if I want permanent.
off and I just wanna turn it [:So I was like, wonderful, this is great. And we did it. We turned, we took it off. I made it into a bracelet. She actually even had enough. I said, you could save this. You could make this into an ankle. So there's a lot of different ways, and I do try to explain that to people. I think educating people on completely permanent jewelry is huge, and showing them you can customize this.
Exactly
Jen Thyrion: like I can't. 'cause I think one of the things is people are worried about, okay, there was a big, depending on the area you live in, right? But where people are seeing, oh, I already have this many bracelets or whatnot. Or they think they're gonna be like, have their permanent bracelets and be done.
But of course that goes along with one of 'em is evolving, right? And having different things to offer. If like maybe the Bengals, you never had those before, but they don't have a Bengal yet. Be like, show 'em the Bengals. But one of those being, and that's why it's like you said, educating people and giving 'em ideas.
ad it for a year and a half, [:And then they're like so excited because near $80 still isn't wasted, even though it was two years ago. We can still make it something cool. And then again, they'll just make 'em wanna come back and be like, and then also not feel bad for maybe quote unquote wasting money on something, even though they got a year's worth out of it.
But they're like, oh yeah, I know I can go back and she can make it into something else. Almost like providing another service really, I. I even had a daughter, or sorry, mother-daughter who, the mother didn't want the bracelet anymore, so we put it on the daughter, and it's just like all these different scenarios that you can really, it's just endless, honestly.
Melissa: And I think that too, just to piggyback on that, they, it's true because people happen to say, oh, you know what? I got this really beautiful jewelry piece at home. I wish I had it on me. I wanted to make it permanent. It broke. But then people are not going back to their jeweler or whatever the case may be.
celet now, or a ring now. So [:Jen Thyrion: chain. It's so true.
There's a lot. And I feel like actually what has come up recently for me with the brick and mortar is I'm having a lot of people come in and ask if I can like fix a clasp on a a, like a necklace they have from someone else. And so there's all these like little things you can offer knowing that we have a welder and that we have cla and we have chain and like they say they love this like.
Pendant, but they just want a new chain on it. And so there is really a lot of things you can do outside of just the permanent portion that again, can expand your business and make people think about you to come into you to have something customized anyway, but not really what I intend to talk to you about.
ly, so what was your initial [:Like where do you feel like you're at in your business and what made you wanna sign up?
Melissa: So I feel like I've been trekking along. I really hustled so hard last summer and last fall. I picked up every event Friday, Saturday, Sunday, on top of working. At that time, I was working three to four days a week. So I was just really excited to grow my business and I was looking to take the next step.
And I've always been stuck in this, I'll call it a carousel, right? So I'm like, okay, I don't have a brick and mortar. I don't know if I have the desire for that. And then. It went into, do I wanna maybe rent like a salon suite? And then it went into, do I maybe wanna have something on my own property or do it out of my home and ever I go round and round and because I'm always like, no, I just have, I wanna be a one woman show is at this time in my life, I don't know if I'm ready to grow into more as far as like hiring employees and having a brick and mortar.
ly and I stumbled upon. Your [:I don't All over the place. Yeah, all over the place. I'm like, one, one week. I'm telling people I'm gonna have a shed here soon, and then the next week I'm like, no, I'm, I don't think I'm gonna do that. But I do, I wanted to elevate it a bit. Yeah. I have a ton of messages from people that say, I cannot get to your event UN until like June.
Do you have anything else? And I tried a couple times out of my home, but, and we spoke about this last time, it just felt that it's not the route I wanted to go. It didn't feel as professional for me. And again, same thing. I don't feel like. I, I wanted it to just be a nice vibe. I want you to walk into a place, and this is cool.
at do I wanna do? And what I [:Yeah, tell me more actually. So one was, I was getting my hair done and it's actually right into my town and she just opened up like a spa section of her hair salon. And so she doesn't, she hasn't filled like all of her rooms yet. Oh. She's, again, this goes back to just like the community aspect, just everybody knows like my business and she's like, how's everything going?
And I just say at home I just don't know what I'm doing. I don't know if I wanna offer appointments or not. And she's, I do have. These extra rooms and we could talk about the logistics and the details of it. And I'm like, that's amazing. Just to know that I have a spot that I could do this out of is wonderful.
d she actually ended up just [:I don't know when you wanna do it. We'd have to again, work out logistics. But I'm so excited because I think this is exactly the little avenue I wanna go down where I can offer appointments, I don't know, once a month. Five times a month. However, it works into my schedule. I just open a day and let it fill up.
And if it's only two or three clients that book, it's close enough where it works.
Jen Thyrion: Yes, for sure. And we talked about before when we were chatting about we were, yeah, like you said, you're at this point, we're like, what's next? And going over all these options, which. You're not alone. And that's why I think this is such a great conversation to have because I think when you reach, whether it be for you a year or two years, but I wanna say a two year mark, it's that place.
onvenient and great at first [:But then it got to a point where I'm like, okay, I don't want, I have to clean up my house really quick. If people are gonna come in and be spending $200 on it, on jewelry, do I want them to be seeing my dirty dishes in the sink? Like I don't Exactly. Over time you wanna elevate the experience, right?
Because you're getting schooled in this, you're getting experience yourself and you realize, you just, you're, you gain clarity over time of what you want your business to be. And also too, so we talked about too, are you interested in. Totally being full-time with permanent jewelry. I know we talked about that, or you really do like the variation of having, still having the dental along with like your permanent jewelry business.
a way, but I think that this: w chain collection. With the [:Again, when I listened to your podcast, I was like, oh my gosh. I'm just like. On the airplane, like ready to order all of these different chains from you. But just saying, okay, I'm going to elevate this year. And I think that's what made me say, let's, what can I do next? What's next? I don't know if I can take it on full time, but how can I bump it up a notch?
And if I can offer. My client's appointments. I think that's really going to be a whole nother world for me.
go into it and say you even [:'cause we had chatted about that where actually recently, Danielle. Who is on the podcast, she's opening a quote unquote brick and mortar, but it's actually within someone's business. So again, there's so many different structures. You can do this. You don't have to go right to having your own store that's a thousand square feet, that you have all this like overhead employees and take that huge leap.
It can be something you dip your toe in and just even see. 'cause what if you do this whole thing and you realize, oh my God. I don't want a brick and mortar. I thought I wanted this because it seems to be a lot of people's goals, but it's always checking into what you want and what you want your life to look like.
Like I think we chatted about that in the call we had a couple weeks ago. Is ideally, yeah. Do you wanna be again? Yes. Do you want the responsibility of a team, which I feel like you don't want right now, but once You never know. I can't tell. Many times I said, oh, I'll never do that. I'll never do that. And then, and it's like I took one step in that direction.
ve a team and here she has a [:Never say never. 'cause you never know where this can go.
Melissa: Yeah, so I think even just the opportunity to be a part of PJX too, that was like, okay, let me go, let's network. Let's learn different things and meet the different vendors. Again, if you're, I feel if you're on that line of, okay, I wanna do something different, but I don't wanna dive in, but I do wanna just a little bit more, this is how it feels good for me is let's just.
Network with people, get different ideas, see how other people are doing it. And because it's a little bit unconventional, I think, in a sense where I think of a brick and mortar and I'm like, oh my gosh, I have to be there nine to five. Friday, Saturday, Sunday are gonna be the days, and what am I gonna do Monday through Thursday?
have to, okay. If you wanna [:So I didn't want to just say, okay, now my weekends are just waiting for people to book appointments. I wanted to still be able to do events. But again, I didn't wanna have to clone myself, so I just wanted to balance everything. So I think if I am able to do a little bit of both, again, it's a whole new world that I'm gonna step into.
I know, and again, because we talked
Jen Thyrion: about just even options of as people are evolving and adding, that's so common. I feel like in the past year or so, really when like the rise of charm bar and the, we talked about tooth gems last time because I was like, you're a dental hygienist, would you wanna do tooth gems?
That's actually your jam. But it's like things that, you know, but that's the beauty of it, is like a, but also. Again, writing that line of not feeling pressure because you feel everyone's adding these things on, but really what, in this business as you, the only way you can find clarity, I believe, is by doing it.
e and think about it all day [:It was through talking to people and talking to people in the community, and that's how this space got brought up. And everyone, even people. That have just friends of the community that I know and they're like, I didn't even know that space is available. Like how did you find out about this? And I'm like, honestly, I just, 'cause I talk a lot, you know?
Yeah. I talk to so many people and that's really what happened. And, but also too, just by community and like having that conversation with me, that's why I think it's so powerful to talk to people out loud about, especially people that understand, to help you work through it. Because yes, I can talk to my friends, but if they are like, they have no idea.
I've never had a business. It's, yes, it's great to chat and talk and, but to someone really bounce. Ideas or ask the right questions to make you thinking and clarity around what you want is like priceless. And that kind of what leads you usually, it's not someone telling you, oh yeah, you should do this.
questions and you answering [:So it's what do you want out of this? And what do you want your days to look like? What do you wanna do on a daily basis? What are you more passionate about? Would Tooth Gems be a. Passion of yours would actually getting into handmade jewelry. If you are like liking this, be a passion of yours to make your own jewelry, there's so many different facets and avenues you can go with this business really
Melissa: and so much.
Even just talking to you about that, it's, as you touched on, it's hard to talk to your friends. We giggled about this last time talking about how our husbands were like, what are starting.
e when you're in it. So much [:This worked for me, so maybe this could work for you too. And even just to help each other through it, it's huge. That's another reason why I'm just so excited to meet a lot of people soon at PJ X,
Jen Thyrion: and that is, I'm sorry, but that is like I, I'll talk all day long, which is why I create a podcast, but why I'm so passionate about community of especially like-minded people, but also.
People that just understand. Okay. Because like we said, husbands love 'em. Of course. But even last night I was talking to my husband about these hires and I'm like, God, I really feel like I could hire these two girls. I just love them so much and I really feel, and he is a no, don't get over your head. Nope.
He's got too many people and he. Do you know, like today I'm like, yep, I'm gonna hire both of those girls because that's what my gut's telling me. And I feel like I know the possibility of what can happen when I do have this like team that I would love to develop and I can see and feel. So I'm like, I'm at this point where I have enough clarity or it's something I feel right now that maybe he is right, but in the end I have to do it.
earn the lessons, but in the [:'cause I was there at one point, like when I first started my business, I didn't know really anyone else in business and I didn't have a community of people. And I talk about this a lot, which is why I created this and the membership because when I had a boutique, like I didn't know who to talk to and there wasn't a lot of like.
Specific podcast about it. Either I would, again, try to confide in my husband, my best friend, like people that never have been had a business. And there are some people that just don't understand. They're not doing it intentionally, but they can be really negative and they make you doubt yourself like crazy.
ly went through a rough year [:He's, I just wanna write about my year and what I. Went through and he was telling one of his good friends about it, and she was just knocking it down like left and right. Who's gonna read that? Do you think you're gonna actually make money on that? And Jo and John's, I'm not, this is more for me. And honestly, like of course he had to voice that to me and I'm like, stop talking to her about that.
Don't talk to choose the people that are gonna support you and understand of why you're doing it and be supportive for whatever reason. That's bringing stuff up in her that she's like. Putting that on you, and that has nothing to do with you. Exactly. I was like, you need to stop because just go along with how you feel and yeah, if you feel like you're talking to people in your life that are just downers about it and keep the what ifs and putting those scarcity thoughts in your mind, or the fear-based thoughts, it's like, yep, nope.
Okay, done. I'll talk to love her, but him, her, whatever. But we're not gonna talk about that. So.
k at other permanent jewelry [:We're, again, we're so unique in the sense that if you don't have a brick and mortar and you're only doing markets, people don't understand. You are getting up, you're loading your car, you're unpacking your car, you're setting everything up, and then. After all of that, you are a one person show. You're the greeter, you're explaining it, you're the welder.
You're doing it all from top to bottom. And that is, I think other craft vendors do relate to that. And I've met so many, as I'm sure so many other per jewelry artists that do markets. You do, you chat with everybody. You become close with that community as well. But when it's jewelry, it's a little different.
o relate for them. They just [:So, yeah,
Jen Thyrion: and even those, just some, I have some great friends. I still will talk to you about things 'cause of course they're not. But yeah, different feedback than someone who actually knows. Industry and has been there, done that. And even just you going to PJX, you're gonna meet so many people, which again, I feel like relationships are key.
How many like master, like in-person masterminds I've been to, it's not the person putting on the Mastermind, I always say, but it was the people I met that really elevated my business in a way because again, they understood and it was really just some support that you can have. To even, again, all the above, like vent, but also get inspiration.
Open your mind because we're just all in our heads. And entrepreneurship can be lonely, honestly. And we're fighting these thoughts in our head all the time. Yeah, just like having bad days, good days. And it's just so normal. It's, it's great to be able to relate to other people in that way. Hey, busy entrepreneur.
ness code scheduler, and the [:It's our monthly permanent jewelry membership. We have a weekly call to talk about all the things, but not only that, including monthly photography and video to use for your social media and marketing. Canva templates monthly business. Expert monthly training, support group discount and first dibs on Goldie Link supplies and more.
My intention is to create a beautiful community of permanent jewelers that wanna level up their businesses together while creating lasting friendships and having fun. This is what I wish existed when I started my business almost 10 years ago. If you wanna know more, check it out@goldielinkssociety.com or at all the things permanent jewelry.com.
I hope to see you there. So, where are you at right now? So you have these two opportunities, right? So where are you feeling, what are you feeling
s like cool about this whole [:So she's, I'm not even really sure how to charge you for this, right? Like a rental fee. I'm not paying rent. I'm almost like renting this. Space for a day or whatever it may be. But just being able to have that transparent conversation and she's, I'm not really sure and I'm like, me either. I'm just feeling it out brother.
So I'm thinking like she gets this space the beginning of May and she's all about it. She's so supportive. She's, I want you to bring in like whatever you need. If you wanna leave stuff here, you can, I think it would be great for my clients, like as they come in to get their lashes done, they can, if you have a display, you can leave a display.
nd do lashes is a little bit [:And I can also be there just, I love that part of it, right? Collaborating with another business to just bring more awareness to not only me, but to them and work together. That's like huge to me because I wouldn't be here. I am, if I didn't have all of these businesses backing me in the very beginning being like, yeah, come in, let's do a popup.
And that's why I, I think the biggest takeaway for me from permanent jewelry is the community aspect. You're not gonna grow if you can't reach out and lean on other people. And I. Help other people too. It's a little cliche to say, but it's true. It's just so true. And anytime that I can help another business or recommend another business, I'm doing that.
ent jewelry artist, you have [:Because we're not a corporation, we're small. I businesses, I'm a mom, I'm a dental hygienist, like I'm in, I live here. I'm a per real person, so. To be able to connect with people is huge and it's relatable. And then people feel comfortable having me in their home for a private party. And I have done multiple private parties where I'm there the second or third time now, and it's like hanging out with friends at this point because that's how I know them now is just through my jewelry.
But now I'm friends.
while till I maybe never see [:And I'm like, okay, who am I gonna talk to here? So I always encourage people to show up and whether or not, even if there's a story up where I can watch your story and you're talking. 'cause for me, I typically show up more talking in my stories, but obviously on your feet is important too because again, someone just coming across you like you just get a feel of who you are.
It's so crazy how I would challenge anyone to go to five different Instagram accounts and you're gonna have different feelings on each Instagram, just what the brand is about. And even if you can't put it into words, you're gonna get a feeling right about. And who they are and, and so it's so cool. I love that vibe.
I don't know, I just felt okay, like initially even before chatting with you, I'm like, I don't know. I feel like I'm gonna this girl. You know what I mean? Yeah, sounds good. That vibe, you know, was like, so, she's so relatable. No, that's good to hear. And again, but that's what's nice is that there's so many, like even how you chose, granted, you stumbled upon the training you did, but I talk about this even with trainings.
ne who's maybe searching for [:Right. So just by what you're putting out there, you know what you're saying, what showing your face, whatnot. Yeah. We all have our own reasons for being drawn to who we're drawn to, but, and that's so cool. Actually, going back to your training, I love that you did an in person because I'm sure like. I feel like it is a little bit more difficult.
I had a local jeweler here who I convinced to go to PJX last year, and she got trained by one of the training, but of course everything was online and she's, oh my God, Jen, I'm so glad I went to PJX because I was actually like welding wrong, which is totally. Because even the girls I train in person, like my past employee, like even though I showed her, right?
'cause she's looking at me and I'm showing her, but the way she was holding her tools was so like awkward. And so I had to show her how to hold the tools more efficiently. And I feel like if you were just watching a video, you still would've interpreted it and done it your own way. Without someone being there, right there to be like, no, actually try it this way.
r sitting there watching the [:Okay, lemme go back And then trying it, the jump rings are like blew apart and are just everything. It's all very, it's hard to interpret on your own, in your own way and then be like, am I doing this right? So yeah, that was huge being in person and it was a, it was like an eight hour day. It was long and it was great because you just to talk to somebody and be like, okay, cool.
Like how do I do this? Rather than shooting them an email or messing them like that takes. Hours to get back and forth, and then you're already out of it. So if anybody could do an in-person training, it's, I highly recommend it just to know exactly what you're doing and are you doing it right and being able to have a soundboard.
did have a permanent jeweler [:I guess trying it different ways. 'cause I always advise my, and people I train, I do it this way. You might find a better way, but I'm gonna, I'm gonna watch and like correct things. I feel like make it easier on you, but also some people my way might not be your way. But, so I guess my suggestion if you don't feel you can go in person to train is trying different ways and different methods and thinking outside the box.
So maybe some way is easier. You didn't think of that way, if that makes sense. So yeah, absolutely.
Melissa: Even just this past, or I'm sorry, it wasn't this past summer, it was two summers ago, so I had only been doing permanent jewelry at that point for two months. I went on vacation down the shore and there was a girl who did a popup, permanent jewelry popup inside this little art studio, and I got a bracelet from her because I was like, oh, I just wanna support another like permanent jewelry person again.
I'm like, first of all, it's [:Jen Thyrion: Mm-hmm.
Melissa: That was five minute experience, but it was huge for me because it validated.
Okay, cool. Yeah. I am doing it like that. Good. Okay. Um, I got it. Well, yeah, even if you can't do it in person, even, I think if just going to maybe you find another popup or maybe just see what you can find. For sure. Tweak your skill a bit.
Jen Thyrion: Yes, exactly. I feel like it's always approaching things, even though how long you've been doing it.
'cause I feel like there was a period where I was getting like cocky with my welds. You know what I mean? I wasn't checking 'em as often. I'm like, oh, I'm good. And then I was coming back with some unfortunate welds and I'm like, okay. I always had to come into things with a beginner's mindset. That's I always suggest is like kinda coming from, oh, I know it.
I know everything. No, I don't actually. And I'm always willing to tweak what I do to improve what I do. I don't know everything. Yeah. That's amazing.
Melissa: Jump rings will humble you real fast.
Jen Thyrion: Oh, totally.
e you have all your settings [:You blow one apart. And I'm like, oh my gosh, what? Why? So it definitely, I check every weld. I polish every weld. I make sure that it is good to go. And I will say in the very beginning, I did have people that would speak. Come back and say, oh, it broke. Can you fix it? And I always fix it, no charge. What I see more often now is that people break chain, which again is an easy fix for me.
Um, but definitely there is a learning curve to it.
Jen Thyrion: Oh, for sure. And I think like you, we said with educating is honestly just speaking to that really quick. Obviously there's chains that break more often than others. So I, the way I actually speak about my chains is different than I used to in the beginning.
So it's like you just get to know that stuff over time. I do speak to the fact that I have collections, right, quote unquote tiers of pricing for me. And so I do mention this plays into durability as well. This has nothing to do with quality, it's weight and makeup. The chain, it also plays, you can see how thin these chains are compared to these.
I rarely get breakages [:Yes. So yes, it's really educating your customer on and not assuming anything, assuming that they know that, like you would assume, oh, this thin chain is obviously gonna break. No, don't, don't assume they know that. You have to
Melissa: tell them, right? Yes, exactly. Like, sure. I tell people all the time, no, I obviously, like, I have my own stack, I have my own ankle, its, I have my own permanent necklace and I stack it with one that is not.
Permanent. And ironically enough, I've broken my non-permanent necklace three times now and I've had to get it fixed at the jeweler rather than, and I'm like, so it's not, everyone thinks like it's, oh my gosh, it's the welder. It's, oh, this not good. It's very easy to get that kind of negative experience. Oh, this.
ing with and how hard you're [:Would pick, because a lot of the times, once you try it on, then everyone is like, oh, I didn't think it was gonna look like that. I thought it was gonna be too bulky. And then they're really happy. So I love to choose chains for people.
Jen Thyrion: That's one of my, that's one of the things I feel like I'm really good at over time.
I'm like, if they say they wanna stack, right? And I'm like, I'm always like, choose one that you just. Absolutely love, and then I'll just drape a bunch on your wrist and we'll do process of elimination. That's actually one of my favorite things to do. And also too, it plays in the experience. People will feel like you're really taking the time to find exactly what they want and most likely ones that I choose, sometimes, I should say most likely.
ause I didn't hang 'em on my [:And this one customer of mine had five bracelets and she's like, I'm done. I put this new chain on her wrist and she was like, oh my god. I would've never chose that chain, but now I'm coming back next week and we're getting that chain. I'm like, okay. And she did so. So it's definitely helpful just to lay a variety and try And I think over time too, like your gut gets better about that stuff with like going with your gut of what you think the customer would like or what just goes really well with, you know what chains look amazing together.
Exactly. And also skin tones like. Over time, oh man, this is gonna look really good on them. Like that opal is gonna pop on their skin and they're gonna fall in love with that. It's so cool. Yeah, definitely things you learn along, along the way. It's So, speaking of community, which I hear you talk a lot about, which of course I'm like nodding yes.
'cause even like my fir, one of the first episodes I had was like the three things that I feel you need to have a successful permanent jewelry business. And one of them is liking people. I tell my employees that one of the things I now, I'm very. Clear about my expectations of who I'm hiring and whatnot and what this business is.
omputer all day and not chat [:So that's, I'm really clear about that, but I really just truly like people. I think that's what we talked about, community and how you were actually interested and possibly in the future, like whether it be like coaching or something that involved people and community. So I think, again, when we talk about even services, I wanna touch on that because it's, yes, you could do piercing, you could add tooth gems, you could add a hat bar.
ere anything you wanna speak [:Melissa: I feel that I've had so many of my repeat clients say to me, when you are ready to take somebody on, let me know. Or if you're gonna train, please let me know. It just happened to me Friday night. One of the girls was like, I'm a teacher. And so in the summertime I don't have anything else going on. I looked into some other programs that do that does train, but I'd rather do it with you.
And so it's, again, it's where I jump into that merry-go-round of what do I wanna do, but. I think that's the beauty of this industry right now is there's a lot of different avenues that you could go down and still all, and at the end of the day still do permanent jewelry and still have your creative outlet.
people and just because you [:There's only a certain amount of connection there. I would love to, because I do, I'm like you. I like to talk to people. I talk to people. Yeah. For a living. They can't talk back to me most of the time when I'm cleaning their teeth. Perfect. Exactly. I do love to chat and so when I go to these markets, it's like I have this renewed energy of I love talking to people, other vendors and I will say, I'm sure you do this too.
You get up as a vendor and before the event actually starts, I usually try to go to my couple people surrounding me, maybe two tenths down and two tenths over to the left and see what they're selling and I always end up buying a ton. But yeah, just like having that connection with other people. They, people remember that.
And then they're more likely to walk
ob, but you love it, you can [:In your business, whether or not right, you are offering to help someone else set something up in a permanent and be permanent jewelry niche to that. But helping someone with the tech side of their business, like there's so many like opportunities there. And I think sometimes we don't really think about that.
We just think about these, I. Maybe, yeah. All these services we can offer outside of permanent and in addition, like again, the things that are trendy, either piercing and and charm bar or whatever. But there really is when it comes to just your loves of, again, maybe you're not the people person where you wanna talk to all the vendors around you, but you're again, more the tech person.
That's okay. It's like how can you incorporate that and to something that truly encompasses all these things that you enjoy and can also help other people, which is pretty cool. Like sky's the limit, which is so fun to think about. Yeah. You know what's, what possibilities are.
Melissa: Yeah. Especially like doing it yourself.
ave that flexibility, right? [:And I think this is just nice to like quite literally think outside of the box and be like, yeah, I can do this. Like I can do your baby shower and I can have pink and purple chain and customize it to that specific event. That is what I love about it.
Jen Thyrion: Yes, I agree. And lot of people explore. Do I start, say I were to say, okay, well if you're a tech, like how do you.
Really, it's just even, again, going back to these baby steps of you even again, dipping your toe into having this like the studio space one day a week at least. It gives you that feeling like you can choose to just do something and find like where you can do that and at least just experience it and step into it and see if you really love it.
d or something weird that we [:But in the end, things do happen pretty fast. Really thinking about even what's happened with you in two years of growing this business, I don't know, do you think, did you think you'd be where you're at with it? Back two years ago when you started, did
Melissa: you? No, I, I really didn't. Again, I don't live in an area where there's a ton of foot traffic.
It was a little nerve wracking 'cause there is an expense that goes into it. But no, that's the coolest part is even sitting here right now and saying, okay, where am I gonna be in a year? Where am I gonna be in months? That's what I love about it. This is this community and this industry is just changing all of the time.
And there are so many different steps that you can grow and then go into different directions with, and still be really successful and still be really happy and make it full-time, or not make it full-time. That's awesome. Exactly.
ture for us to go right away [:The negative of it. What if it doesn't work or the fear of it. But honestly, I encourage people to think about the possibilities. It's like thinking about the possibilities, because that's just as strong as the other thing, right? It could go either way, but really, of course, there's a lot of work that goes into play of determining that, right?
Of where that goes. So just thinking about, again, it's fun. Sometimes it's like scary in a way. Oh yeah. Where could I be in a year? It's like almost when you were in a nine to five, like if you're being a dental hygienist, you could probably say, okay, like where you'll be in a year with your career. Right?
That's pretty predictable. This is not, and it's so just thinking about the possibilities of what can happen in a year is pretty wild and it's pretty exciting.
Melissa: It's a definitely like a unique thing that people are interested in there. It's in demand and it's. Ever changing. So yeah, I would say don't put yourself in a box.
Who knows what you can do?
Jen Thyrion: Yeah, I love that. So where can we find you? If we wanna search you out on social media or whatnot, where can we find you? I
stagram handle, which is arc [:That's pretty
Jen Thyrion: much it. Awesome. So last thoughts. What advice would you give to someone who's just starting out with permanent jewelry?
Melissa: I would say, first of all, just go for it. Follow your gut. Yeah. Just go for it. Don't let any of the noise get to you. If this is something you feel passionate about and you feel like I, I know it's gonna take hard work, do it.
I felt like I was re, I'm by li, I'm a Libra, so I'm like, I don't know. I never know what to do. This was like, no, I wanna do this. I wanna do it. Yeah. And I wanna do it now. And I didn't have everyone's full support, but then there were some people that were totally supportive. But I would say just go for it.
ge. Don't do the Amazon way, [:Lean on your resources. Because in the end, I feel like that's what we're all here to do. We're all here to help each other. Awesome.
Jen Thyrion: I love it so much. All right. Thank you so much. We'll see you at PJX. Super excited. Wait. Thank you for having me. Yes, of course. All right. Talk to you soon. Alright, bye. Thank you.
Bye. Well, how do you feel? I hope you found value in today's episode, and you walk away feeling inspired. I would love to hear from you. Let's link up. You can find me on Instagram at Goldie Link Society. You can find out more about our permanent jewelry membership@goldielinksociety.com, our handmade permanent jewelry, supplies of connectors, chain, and more@goldielinksupplies.com.
you next time. Have a golden [: