Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Hallak.
Hi Jenn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was in college, I interned for a wedding planner and absolutely fell in love with the industry. Straight out of college, I was hired to be a Wedding Consultant and, after a few years, decided to branch out within the wedding industry. I don’t like to be bored, so in the meantime, I decided to create a “little wedding blog,” and that “little wedding blog” grew fast. This was before influencing, which was a big thing, and brands started asking me to promote their wedding venues, brands, etc., and truthfully, it was all so crazy to me!
It grew fast, and I ended up opening my own wedding planning company called The Overwhelmed Bride while still running my wedding blog, which is also called The Overwhelmed Bride. And then I got pregnant with my first baby, Ava Sue. Once she was born, I realized how much I longed to be home with her, and while my wedding schedule was all up to me, it, of course, took over my weekends, and that’s just not something I saw in my future as a mom. And so, I started my next blog and Instagram and called it The Overwhelmed Mommy. I finished up the weddings I had on the books but didn’t book any anymore, grew my mom’s blog quickly, and eventually started blogging and Instagramming full-time. Over the next few years, I had two more baby boys – Franky and Hayes – but there was just something I longed for. Ever since I was a little girl, I always said I wanted to change the world, and one day, this idea came to me – a jewelry line that would inspire and encourage people to believe in themselves.
We bought a little jewelry machine and tried to make some ourselves, which failed miserably. Then, years passed, and we decided to give it a go again and bought a new machine, and again, it failed. But this time was different – I was NOT going to fail. So, I began researching U.S.-based manufacturers who had more experience creating jewelry, and eventually, I found the perfect fit for us. With that, Avasue Jewelry Co. was formed in 2023. Ava Sue is my firstborn and only daughter, a big sister to three little brothers. As you can see, I named my company after my sweet little girl as I always want her to believe in herself and never forget her beauty and worth in this world.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh no, it has not been smooth at all! From the time I had the idea to the time I actually launched my business, four years had passed.
And even now, one of my biggest struggles is TIME. I still run my Instagram and mom blog (now called @jennhallak and theoverwhelmedmommy.com), and I, of course, am a mama of four beautiful kiddos who are now getting to be school-aged and have started sports and activities for me, my family is my priority, but I still have that longing to change the world, one necklace at a time.
So, while getting to launch was hard, finding the time to push and get everything done is my current challenge – being pulled in many directions, so many directions that I have a passion for!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
Avasue Jewelry Co. is a jewelry line that is there to remind you of your beauty and your worth in this world. Every piece has a short phrase on it – You Are Worthy, You Are Loved, You’re Doing Great – but the message is not meant for the world, but for YOU, the wearer. Every phrase is engraved backward, so when you look in the mirror throughout your day or any time you need a reminder, that phrase appears forward for you and only you.
It’s a small little message and a tiny little reminder, but the more we tell ourselves something, the more we begin to truly believe it. So these make great gifts for moms, gifts for kids who are struggling with self-esteem (we have clasps on the back to enable kids to wear them at shorter lengths, too!), or a gift for yourself. We all need little reminders in our lives, and I hope to get those reminders out into the world for as many people as I can. I hope to make this world a better place, one necklace at a time.
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
The best support is word of mouth, following us on Instagram (@shopavasue) engaging with our posts, and sharing with people who you think would love our pieces!
Of course, we love seeing purchases come through, and we love hearing your stories of who you gifted these pieces to and WHY, but sharing and telling others about our brand is HUGE as we are currently in the growth phase and trying to get our name out there!
I do collaborate with many influencers and bloggers who I think may love our pieces and we offer commissions as well on any sales that are brought in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopavasue.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/shopavasue
- Facebook: facebook.com/shopavasue
- Other: tiktok.com/@shopavasue
