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Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Kelly.
Hi Adriana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I am Brazilian, and I arrived in the US in 1997 to learn English and return to my country. Well, things didn’t go as I had planned. I met a Soldier in 1999 and became an Army wife in 2001 for 21 years. From that moment on, I had to think of a job that I would enjoy doing and be flexible enough to continue supporting my husband in his career, and at the same time, I would have the same time flexibility to become a mom one day. So I started buying exotic natural materials from Brazil and making Bijouterie. I also started exhibiting at craft shows. That way, where the Army sent us, I had the opportunity to exhibit in 12 states, meet wonderful places, people, and cultures, and finally arrive in Texas and not want to move anymore. I keep showing it off at craft shows and selling it online. Here I call home. I love what I do, and God willing, I won’t retire anytime soon.
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?
As for anyone else, no, it hasn’t been a smooth ride. It goes up and down, but a lot of persistence makes me keep going and never give up. The most challenging moments were many, like being alone for 12 months or more worrying about my husband in deploys. Being a mother, wife, and businesswoman and taking care of everything alone, I didn’t learn everything overnight. The most challenging thing was starting over in 2013 after a painful divorce with irreparable physical sequelae, but with everything, it didn’t make me cross my arms. It was just a time to breathe, run momentum, be grateful for being alive, and start again stronger than ever.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The desire to share my designs with natural materials has become my business. I design a unique piece with different forms of exotic seeds, coconut shells, wood, quartz, and golden grass. I do with detailed cutting and polishing techniques to enhance the innate beauty of all hand-chosen beads. Selected materials are either petrified or no longer good for germination, thus preserving the ecological balance in nature. All are made from natural resources. Also, I can do custom designs. I travel on weekends exhibiting at fairs and craft shows. I also sell online on my website that I create myself and specialize in Bijouterie with natural materials. I’m known as the “Golden Grass Lady,” as many clients call me. What sets me apart from others is my unique product and the way I always serve my customers with a smile and friendliness, no matter if the sky is falling. I am always praised for this by customers and artisan friends—the quality of the material and the exclusivity of each piece I make. I want my future customers to know that all the material I use is natural and that depending on the purchase price, yes, I can give a discount, or I often give gifts that match what they buy. I guarantee that any defect, damage, or customer dissatisfaction will be repaired as he sees fit. I’ve learned in 22 years in sales that what matters is customer satisfaction is the soul of the business.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes, I learned a lot. I had enough time to learn how to create my website by myself and learn how to deal with the media. With a lot of persistence and, of course, with a lot of optimism that the storm would pass and that everything would return to normal like a miracle and I see that despite so many irreparable losses, we have become stronger and a little more prepared with a “B” plan as an Army Wife I learned for so many years.
Pricing:
- Necklaces from $10.00 to $49.00
- Bracelets From $10.00 to $35.00
- Hair Holders/Hairband $18.00
- Ring with quartz and Golden Grass $8.00 to $18.00
- Dream Catchers $20.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nature-jewelry.com
- Instagram: naturejewelry_by_adriana
- Facebook: Nature Jewelry Golden Grass