Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayci Jolley.
Hi Jayci, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been entrepreneurial for as long as I can remember. As a child, I used to design inventions with my dad and we’d spend our afternoons turning my illegible crayon drawings into real life proto types. These early memories have inspired me and taught me to believe I can really do anything. No matter how silly my ideas were my parents always made me feel like I was a young genius and encouraged me to follow even my most far-stretched dreams. Today I am the proud owner of Jo Jewelry, but I’m also humbled by my achievements because I know I wouldn’t be here without the love and support of so many. Jo Jewelry was built from spoon rings I made in my parent’s garage. Today, we have more products like wire-wrapped rings and necklaces, resin rings with real plants, and our most recent addition: permanent jewelry! I started this business this last spring and began by selling out of a booth at events around Utah. I have attended flea markets, farmers’ markets, maker markets, and more. It was a busy summer, but has built my foundation. Now, I also sell from my website (jojewelry.store) and out of makers shops in Provo, Salt Lake, and Park City. It’s been a long journey, but I am so happy with how far Jo Jewelry has come and can’t wait to see what will be next for us!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The first challenge I faced was learning how to make the spoon rings themselves. I didn’t know the best tools to use, the most efficient method to make them, or where to get a consistent supply of spoons and forks. It has taken me about two years to perfect my process and that was no easy task. My next obstacle was selling; I didn’t know where or how to sell. Today I sell at different locations, but it began with events on the weekend. I believe marketing will always be a challenge as the world and customers change and evolve. However, I’ve learned that there are always more opportunities I just need to find and putting in time and brain power has yet to let me down.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m currently a student at UVU majoring in finance and statistics to help me take my business to the next level as well as give me the knowledge to start other business ventures. If I had to choose a specialty, it would have to be spoon rings. I have truly mastered my process and am proud of even the small details in my products. Something I am passionate about just starting is my permanent jewelry. Permanent jewelry is a growing industry and there are a lot of small business owners entering this market. However, I feel that I am set apart from them by a few factors. Being a student myself, I understand the struggle of staying trendy while living on a budget, so I offer 15% off all permanent jewelry for students. I also don’t want my customers to worry about paying for new jewelry if the jewelry I weld on them breaks. So, I guarantee that if the jewelry I put on breaks, I will reweld it for free. The machinery I use to weld is the highest quality and provides the cleanest and strongest welds in the market. My selection of chains is broad so there’s something for everyone’s style as well as being made up of the highest quality materials that will last a lifetime and more. I want to provide not just a product, but an experience.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
My name is Jayci so people are sometimes confused by the name “Jo Jewelry.” Let me explain how that name came to be. Growing up my family nicknamed me Jayci Jo or sometimes just Jo. I’m the youngest of a large family so I have a lot of nieces and nephews and Jayci can be hard to say at a young age so my name became Aunt JoJo to them. The nickname Jo has become special to me because family is really important to me and the people I love most call me it. I wanted to extend this love for my nickname into my business because I want my customers to feel they are part of the Jo Jewelry family.
Pricing:
- Our permanent jewelry is priced per inch.
- 14k gold filled chain is $9 per inch.
- Sterling silver chain is $7 per inch.
- Spoon rings range from $25-$40.
Contact Info:
- Website: jojewelry.store
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjojewelry/
