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Success With Jewelry
133 - Laryssa and Liz Talk Birthdays, Bling & Brand New Headshots
00:23:19
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner, two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive. Welcome to Success with Jewelry Episode #133! In this episode, we’re catching up:...
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- [00:00]
Larissa
Welcome to the Success with Jewelry podcast where we invite you inside our conversations about business success and marketing for jewelry designers and entrepreneurs.
- [00:10]
Liz
We're Larissa and Liz, jewelry marketing experts with a combined 18 years of experience in jewelry marketing and proven track records in helping jewelry brands meet their goals. When you listen to this podcast, you get an intimate and exclusive peek behind the curtain of all the things you wish you could know about earning success in this industry.
- [00:28]
Larissa
Welcome to episode 133. In this episode, we're catching up. Larissa has been traveling, turned 40 and is preparing to head to the shows in Vegas. While Liz got her new headshots and refreshed her brand, we'll be catching up and discussing what is on our minds. And for insiders, we'll continue the conversation unfiltered. Hey, Larissa, let's get into it.
- [00:50]
Liz
Oh, it's nice to catch up with.
- [00:52]
Larissa
I know. I was like, since we don't have much time, let's just catch up live or on the podcast.
- [00:59]
Liz
Yeah, that's perfect. I like that.
- [01:02]
Larissa
So first you went on a big trip and you entered a new decade. Tell us about it.
- [01:10]
Liz
I had my 40th birthday in Barcelona. Yeah. My husband and I went to Spain. We went to Berlin to see my sister in law. I celebrated my birthday in Parc Guell, which is a Gaudi designed park in Barcelona. That was very nice. And my worry before the trip, because I was like level 20, burned out from work, was like, oh, we're gonna go so hard that I'm gonna be even more exhausted coming back. And it pretty much did happen, but I have no regrets.
- [01:51]
Larissa
Also, it's funny that you say your husband, because we know Jordan. He's been a guest on the pod.
- [01:58]
Liz
I have friends that do that, that say like, my husband. And I'm like, I know your husband. Like, we hang out.
- [02:04]
Larissa
Totally. Yeah, we know him. We don't need to. We don't need that. We know Jordan.
- [02:09]
Liz
Sorry, Jordan.
- [02:10]
Larissa
Jordan and I question about traveling for you, which is totally off topic, but how do you find so much good vegan food?
- [02:21]
Liz
I do a lot of research. Yeah. Beforehand on TripAdvisor. Just like on Happy Cow. Have you heard of Happy Cow? It's like a vegan restaurant website. But just surprisingly, everyone is really shocked when I tell them this, but Berlin has to be the most vegan friendly place I've ever been. You can literally like throw a stone and find like something vegan. And I don't mean just like French fries. I mean like an actual vegan meal.
- [02:52]
Larissa
I Don't know if you share your food. I forget if you share your. Your food photos just on your personal Instagram or your.
- [02:58]
Liz
I think just on my personal. Yeah. So people, you could follow me, Larissa Warstiak on Instagram.
- [03:03]
Larissa
Yeah. If you want to see food photos and dog photos.
- [03:09]
Liz
But one of my favorite vegan restaurants I've ever been to in my life, it was such a surprise because we kind of discovered it last minute. Was in Barcelona. And it's this like small team of Argentinian expats that moved to Spain and decided to start this kind of like experimental, like high end vegan restaurant. And it was just like the best meal I've ever had.
- [03:33]
Larissa
I love that. I love a good meal with a bunch of courses where stuff keeps coming out.
- [03:38]
Liz
Yes, yes, Stuff keeps coming. Just keep bringing it out.
- [03:42]
Larissa
That's great. So did you get an emerald?
- [03:47]
Liz
No. I looked for jewelry in all corners of where I was. I found that Barcelona and I don't know if Spain more largely, they don't have a big like jewelry culture there. Like, I didn't really see a lot of good, unique jewelry. It's kind of just like your standard kind of jewelry store. You know, you can get like your engagement ring or wedding band, like that kind of stuff. There wasn't a lot of unique jewelry. Berlin does have this store that is very cool that if you're in Berlin, you should visit. I think it's literally called antique jewelry. Like that's the name of the store and it's very cute. And the people who work there are super nice and it's antique and vintage like all decades and eras. They have a really big selection and when you go there, they'll kind of just let you play too. They'll let you like try on a bunch of stuff. And it was my second time there. Unfortunately I did not find my piece. There was a lot of stuff I really liked, but nothing that was like, I must get this. But I love that store. Everyone should go visit it.
- [05:01]
Larissa
That's a good tip. And so now you're back, but you're heading to Vegas.
- [05:10]
Liz
I'm going. Yeah. I was home for like a week. Ish week. And now I'm going to Las Vegas for JCK and Couture. Going to Couture. Representing the success with jewelry podcast for the very first time. Oh, I did get new jewelry for my birthday list from Jordan. He got me a blue, blue driver ring. What?
- [05:33]
Larissa
Which one?
- [05:34]
Liz
Yeah, it's like, I don't know how good you're gonna be. Able to see it, and obviously the listeners can't see it, but it is a little silver band that is just engraved with flowers.
- [05:44]
Larissa
Oh.
- [05:44]
Liz
Amazing all around how incredible it is.
- [05:46]
Larissa
Her engraving.
- [05:49]
Liz
So pretty. Like, when he gave it to me, we were outside and it was very sunny. And the engraving is so delicate and defined at the same time. It looked almost like there were diamonds, like in the ring because it was sparkling so pretty in the sunlight. And I was like, oh, my God.
- [06:07]
Larissa
Yeah. Her work is incredible. If you aren't familiar with June Queen from Blue Blue Driver, check her out because just her engraving work is so good. I'm glad you got that band. I know. I remember now you saying that you liked it.
- [06:21]
Liz
Yeah, I was very. I was like, good job, Jordan. You paid attention to something I showed you.
- [06:27]
Larissa
Yay. Jordan liked.
- [06:29]
Liz
That was a win.
- [06:30]
Larissa
That's a big win. I love that. Well, that's good. At least you got some jewelry. I did. All right.
- [06:38]
Liz
I'm still potentially planning to kind of shop Vegas, especially the AGTA section, to see if I can find my gemstone, but, you know, we'll see.
- [06:49]
Larissa
I can't imagine. I know that, like, that's why a lot of people go to JCK to shop gemstones, but I cannot imagine. Feels so overwhelming.
- [07:01]
Liz
Yeah. I've never been to Tucson, as you know, so I have nothing to really compare it to, but I would imagine the gemstone stuff is a little more manageable than Tucson.
- [07:12]
Larissa
Probably true.
- [07:14]
Liz
Yeah.
- [07:16]
Larissa
We gotta get. I gotta get back to Vegas and we gotta get to Tucson. Just so we.
- [07:20]
Liz
We're gonna do it, maybe we should just do like a podcast trip for it.
- [07:24]
Larissa
We should do a podcast trip. We can tap into all their. All the money we're making from this pod.
- [07:32]
Liz
Yes.
- [07:34]
Larissa
Just kidding. We're not making much, but anyway, I got new headshots taken on your 40th birthday. Unrelated, but. And the photographer got them back to me really quickly, so I've been able to incorporate them. I did a mini brand refresh and have sent out an email about it, so I feel like I got a lot done since we talked.
- [07:58]
Liz
I did see at least two or three of the pictures that you posted, and I thought they were very you. It was kind of how I imagined it when you were describing the plan to me, so good job.
- [08:13]
Larissa
I worked with a local Asheville photographer, Nicole McConville, and she's really, really good. She understood what I was looking for and was just really amazing to work with. She made it feel comfortable even though it was a studio shoot, which is Kind of intimidating. She made it feel super comfortable and she loved the clothes I picked and like, the vision I had for it. So it was really great. And with that, I also like. So I added them to my website and then I, like, tweaked my copy and I like, moved some stuff around and I made some edits to my website too, which I really haven't done in like four years. And they're very small. But I think it's impactful. I think it will be good.
- [08:57]
Liz
It's always such a good feeling to get that little refresh going on.
- [09:03]
Larissa
Yeah. And I feel like, you know, I think it's so hard to make the time to do a refresh, but everyone should. If you haven't looked at your website in a while, go and look at it. Because it's easy to like, let four or five years pass without making any edits to your site. Granted, if you're adding product or like, switching out header images and like, have a system for that, that's a different story. But for someone who's offering like the same services and like, hasn't changed their product offering, it's so important to like, go through and make sure that you're. You're updating and thinking about it.
- [09:40]
Liz
I 100% agree. I mean, that is like you said one thing that so much time can pass that you don't even realize you didn't check something. Or things can break without you realizing. Like, I always see email signups suddenly, like not working right or rendering weirdly. And that's something to just overlook very easily. So.
- [10:03]
Larissa
And it's also tedious because there were a few things as I was making changes I forgot to like, recheck or I forgot to check on mobile. And then you have to go back and I had to update my bio. I realized I hadn't really looked at my bio in a while and there were things that were different. So everyone look at your bio too. I totally spaced on it or didn't pay attention, but all these small things really do add up. And also I want to say that it's important to and like this. I feel like I'm like pushing a boulder up a hill with myself trying to get me to do this. But, like, you have to make a big deal out of things. Like, yeah, I just got new headshots and I, like, tweaked my website. But I think it's still important to, like, you know, make a big deal. Like, I did this. I'm launching this thing, you know, just to kind of get people back into looking at your website and seeing what you're doing.
- [10:53]
Liz
Yes, that's such a good point. It's like, it's a different mindset because, you know, when you think about talking to, like, family and or friends, it's like, if you're a reasonably socially, like, adapted person, like, you'll say something once and just be like, oh, I did this. Oh, cool, great. Move on. But. But, like, when you're talking to strangers and the masses, you have to have a different mindset about it, and you have to, like, almost over exaggerate something that would feel very awkward to just say in, like, more comfortable social settings, you know?
- [11:30]
Larissa
Yeah. You have to, like, create buzz for yourself, which is just such a strange thing to do. I had, like, getting the new headshots. I had a lot of emotions with it. And I just wrote an email to my list about this that I struggled to articulate. But just, like, you're kind of walking away from, like, the brand that got you to where you are now. And forcing yourself to evolve when something did work for so long is tough. And again, I know we're just talking, like, imagery and, like, copy. And I did my logo about a year ago, but it is kind of hard to let go of those old things and move forward. And I just kind of was realizing how much attachment I have to what I, like, originally launched with. And I feel like a lot of creatives, like, with, like, older collections, as you're, like, evolving your product line too, you might have some of these same emotions of, like, oh, well, but this is what launched me. Or, like, this is how I found my success, or this is how I got in the door, but I also don't want to be making it anymore, or it doesn't feel like my aesthetic anymore. It's really challenging to move forward. And I also realized, kind of re realized, how hard it is to think of myself, a human in the world, as a brand. That's a really tough thing to. To do.
- [12:49]
Liz
It's so hard, so, so hard because people will form these, like, preconceived notions about you based on whatever, usually based on them, not even you. And you have to just be okay with that because you only have so much control over how that brand is, like, received.
- [13:10]
Larissa
And you have to, like, think, like, these are my colors and, like, this is what I'm going to wear, and this is the type of imagery I should have my on my site, and this is the way I should write sentences, because this is my brand and you Know, as an ever evolving human, like to have to think about that, like, oh well, this is where I am now. This is where I was before and I need to move to where I am now and make sure that's aligned across like my website, my Instagram and all the things. Yeah, it's a lot to think about.
- [13:42]
Liz
I thought about that a little bit when I went on my trip because when you are your business basically or your brand, it's basically that. That's like 24, 7 as long as you're kind of like in the swing of work. But like when I went on my trip, I didn't do any work and I had so many moments where I'm like, oh, I'm more than like worklors. That probably sounds kind of depressing but like I fully just put her on a shelf and like, was like, I'm gonna be all the other parts of me, you know, I love that.
- [14:20]
Larissa
How were you able to do that? Because I'm, I'm taking off my first week ever like in years, maybe ever in June. Like five days we're going to the beach and I have no meeting and that's bizarre.
- [14:36]
Liz
Are you going to the Jersey shore? No, we had to adapt because we.
- [14:42]
Larissa
Live in North Carolina now. So we're not going to the Jersey shore, we're going to some, some island off of like kind of near past Charleston. But anyway, I, I don't think I've taken like a trip where I'm like, I have to consciously step away from work and what you're saying. I can relate to so much. You know, if I'm not talking about work or if I'm not talking about being a mom, I don't know what color I like, you know, like I don't know who I am.
- [15:14]
Liz
Yeah, I think the scenery and environment change helps a lot because you're literally now in like a totally different setting and you're forced to kind of experience yourself differently. The other thing I found very refreshing when I was in Berlin is my sister in law lives there. So we hung out with like some of her friends. A lot of them are expats, but they're all from like Europe. Like nobody talks about work and I'm like, oh my God, I love this. No one's asking me about my job and what I do. Can we just like have fun or like enjoy this beer?
- [15:48]
Larissa
I love that.
- [15:50]
Liz
I hate when people ask me about my work.
- [15:54]
Larissa
That is funny. I found that same kind of thing and I kind of love that about my mom. Friends and, like, hanging at a playground. Like, nobody asks about work. We're talking kids stuff for the most part. That is nice. And it's like, well, how do I get beyond that, too? But it is nice to have places where you don't have to talk about work because it is consuming. And, I mean, after my kid goes to sleep, I'm, like, back to work. Like, the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is think about work and constantly, like, writing little notes in my phone and stuff. And that's what you kind of have to be like as a solopreneur. But finding the space to compartmentalize and take breaks. That's huge. Yeah.
- [16:34]
Liz
Living in a big city here, too. I mean, pretty much the vibe is like, we all work all the time. Our work is our identity. So when I, like, connect with people, even outside of work, like, they talk about work. So it's like, I don't want to talk about work anymore.
- [16:53]
Larissa
Our whole culture is crazy.
- [16:56]
Liz
No, it's terrible. It is.
- [17:00]
Larissa
But I mean, it's also great to, like, love what you do. And I know you love what you do.
- [17:04]
Liz
Yeah.
- [17:05]
Larissa
And I love what I do. So at least we're, you know, doing something we like versus having to do something we don't like.
- [17:13]
Liz
But everyone needs a break in perspective, though, you know?
- [17:17]
Larissa
I know, because I think everyone is burnt out. I think we're all burnt out. Yes. So the last thing I wanted to talk about before we head on to chat with insiders is, is this the year of merch? I think it might be. This is something I've been thinking about. I did merch for the Stay Gold Collective, and I sent it out to a bunch of people, and I have more shirts, and I'm just sending them to people, and I love that. And I might do a new shirt every year or something. It's really quite fun. I think that with merch, and I've seen good merch and bad merch, but the things that are, like, interesting or have a story in aren't just necessarily, like, a logo on a thing and are more, like, designy or more aligned with an idea or concept. I think perform or, like, are more interesting. For example, East Fork pottery, which I've talked about a lot. They're doing a tote bag right now that I want, and. But I have to spend $150 in, you know, on their pottery. Oh, to get it.
- [18:22]
Liz
Tote bag, to get it.
- [18:24]
Larissa
I think that's interesting. But it's a really cute design, and I Think there's a limited edition aspect. I doubt they'll sell this tote bag of this promotion. But it's not just like East Fork on a tote bag. It's like a. A unique design, and I want one cute. So that's one thing I saw recently. But the other thing is Rough cut is doing a candle. Yeah. Which is so fun. I think it's so different. And it's not just a T shirt because, yeah, you know, they're thinking outside of the box.
- [18:58]
Liz
The challenging thing with Merch is like, trying to figure out what people will like. I think that's the hardest part of.
- [19:05]
Larissa
It and what they'll buy. Because essentially, like, the merch I'm doing is just for Stay Gold members and, like, people who have done chats with Stay Gold and things like that, people in the universe as thank you gifts and things like that. But I'm not selling it. And I think that if you are thinking about merch for your brand, you want it to be cool or cute enough or aligned with your brand enough to sell it. I love when people do, like, jewelry boxes or jewelry cases or pouches or things like that. And Palm Sunday did sweatshirts, and I bought one because the design was super cool. So I think that, you know, thinking about, like, what would my customer actually, like, purchase or want as a gift rather than a thing that you're going to throw in, like your junk drawer.
- [19:52]
Liz
I'm a sucker for a good hoodie. You got a good hoodie? I. I love a.
- [19:59]
Larissa
A tote bag. A tote bag here for the tote bags. If it's a cool tote bag. That's what I love about Bagu, which is like a reusable bag company. And they do, like, cool purses and stuff too now and, like, all kinds of bags, but they do a lot of collabs. Or like, you could. I think. I think they ended this program, but you would be able to, like, buy their bags with your design on it. And a lot of stores I've seen do, like, collabs with Bagu. Thistle and Bass is a store in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they did a really cute bagu. And I was like, oh, I want that. Yeah, I like, I have a lot of tote bags.
- [20:42]
Liz
I know I have, like a whole huge, like, home goods been full of bags. So I think that's why I'm like, no more.
- [20:52]
Larissa
No more. But I think, I mean, it might be the year of the merch something, I think.
- [20:56]
Liz
So. You know, Jordan's been doing a Lot of merch experimentation with his project.
- [21:02]
Larissa
So he.
- [21:03]
Liz
I forget which platforms he tried. I know when I asked you about it, Liz, you said you got them done locally, which I think is very nice, but can also be difficult, like, logistically, because then you have to have all that inventory on hand. Right. And like store it and stuff.
- [21:21]
Larissa
Yeah. Last year I did merch and I'm trying to upgrade, like, as I evolve my brand forward, I'm like trying to evolve like everything forward to make sense together again, alignment of everything. But I use Printful, which has a plugin to my website, and somebody could buy something and they print it and ship it and do all of that stuff. The print quality, Aldi and I haven't looked into it too much. Isn't that great? I could probably upgrade that somehow. But with the recent merch project, I did like the. I wanted to support Asheville. So it's a collab with a local Asheville or artist and then also like a local Asheville printing company. But I do. I did get into like, I ran out of mediums and I had to do another run to get more mediums. And even though I had account beforehand, like, I. For everyone, like, I know you all out there listening or selling a product, it is so hard. I. Yeah, you all are doing great.
- [22:19]
Liz
Physical products are hard.
- [22:22]
Larissa
You have to do so much thought and just like figuring out what shirts sizes to order. And I think I was closer on my second count, but. And prediction.
- [22:33]
Liz
But it is.
- [22:35]
Larissa
You have to invest in advance.
- [22:38]
Liz
Yeah, we should think about that for our Patreon, which.
- [22:43]
Larissa
We should think about that for Patreon. That's why I wanted to talk about Birch on the pod too, because I'm like, we should do something cool, but I don't know what that is yet.
- [22:52]
Liz
If you guys have ideas, let us know.
- [22:56]
Larissa
Yeah. What kind of merch you'd want or if anybody wants to collab too.
- [23:01]
Liz
Oh, that could be cool. We love a collab.
- [23:07]
Larissa
Love a collab. All right, so what's on your mind? Let us know. Visit successwithjewelry.com and if you love the podcast, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message or leave us a review. Thanks for being a part of our community.