Today, we’d like to introduce you to Maysen Minor.
Hi Maysen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Beadology’s storefront opened on January 24th, 2023, but Beadology started well before that. In March 2021, my professor at UVU challenged our class to start a business with just one dollar!! I remember being filled with energy and excitement to take on this challenge. I had no idea what I would do, but I had this fiery feeling in my heart that it would be amazing!
I was able to acquire a few beads and start making some beaded rings to sell to friends and family. This was going pretty well, and being a busy student-athlete (pole vaulter on the UVU track and field team), making a few bucks on the side was well worth it. After the semester, I still wanted to keep making and selling jewelry, so I decided to sign up for a farmers’ market in my hometown of Riverton, Utah. My family was very hesitant about it, yet supportive! My first farmers market became a huge success, and the highlight of my booth was the DIY bead station. The DIY bead station was where I put all my beads on a table so people could make their jewelry at my booth.
People enjoyed doing this, and I loved it because I got to connect with others & make wonderful friendships. Later down the road, I signed up for a few more markets, and I began to notice that the one thing setting me apart from every other vendor was that, at my booth, people could have a real, hands-on experience and create something they LOVE. In the summer of 2022, I participated in tons of markets, and it became my full-time gig. I started having friends come back weekly to make new jewelry items.
One little girl named Ellie (five years old) said, “I wish the farmers market was open every day so that I could make jewelry all the time!” This got me thinking maybe it’s about time to get my storefront! After being in school, competing in track and field, business competitions, and getting married, I finally decided to get really serious about finding a storefront. After looking at multiple places that I thought were going to be amazing for Beadology, I got declined once again.
I was devastated and started to think my plans wouldn’t work out. I remember saying a prayer and asking for direction from God, and that’s when I decided to get up, stop crying, and go to The Shops at Riverwoods in Provo. I gathered up all my courage to go talk to all of the different store owners about doing bead parties at their homes or having employee bead parties. This led me to talk to a sweet girl named Mati, who owns Valore at The Riverwoods. I told her my story, and she told me the best news: “My old storefront is currently vacant, and I think it would be the perfect place for Beadology!”
Long story short, I talked to the Landlord and got set up to have my store open within two months! Again, my family & friends were hesitant and thought I was crazy, but I call it having a vision. I knew it was going to be the most exhausting four months of finishing college, my senior season of pole vaulting, taking care of my sweet husband + our house, and running my business, but I knew it would be possible. So I went for it & it’s been amazing.
In January 2023, we had the Grand Opening for Beadology and haven’t looked back since.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
There have been so many learning curves to opening up a brick-and-mortar storefront and running a business in general.
A few of the struggles and challenges we have faced include learning the legalities of running a business (no one teaches you that in school!), finding the storefront, opening it during the middle of the Christmas season/my final semester of college, and traveling every weekend for track on top of that.
We are still working hard to improve and perfect our systems so that we can keep experiencing greater growth!
As you know, we’re big fans of Beadology. For our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand, what can you tell them about it?
Beadology is a DIY Bead Studio located in Provo, Utah. This is where you and your friends can create beaded accessories that are unique, personal, and memorable accessories. Beadology hosts workshops, birthday parties, youth groups, and more! Hundreds of bead options are available and frequently updated, so you can have a brand-new experience every time you come!
We specialize in providing an inviting, creative atmosphere for beaded projects such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, keychains, earrings, and more! In addition, we have our Charm Bar, which includes a wide variety of charms and chains for people to choose from to create a fun, personalized charm necklace or bracelet.
Beadology stands out amongst other recreational activities because beading engages so many different types of people, ages, and skill levels. We are most proud of the connection and community that is built here. With this type of hands-on experience, people choose to put down their devices and really bond with those around them. Once they finish their project and finally get to try it on, their smiles and excited reactions are always priceless!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
We have learned, more than ever, that people need people. Covid tried to keep us apart and had a lot of negative repercussions on mental and emotional health, but what has been very apparent to us is that people need something to look forward to and someone to spend it with.
Beadology does its best to provide an atmosphere where people can leave their comfort zone and be challenged with creativity.
Pricing:
- $7 studio fee
- $9 beaded bracelet
- $3 charms
- $25 necklace chain
- $16 beaded necklace
Contact Info:
- Website: beadology.co
- Instagram: @beadology_utah
- Tiktok: @beadology_utah
Image Credits
Amber Slavens
