Gilbert & Frech Independent Representative Andrea Kelly shares her success story. Andrea, congratulations on your success and thank you so much for your time! Please visit her web site for more details and information (see contact information below). To make jewelry purchases at warehouse prices, visit www.traderlou.com
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Andrea Kelly
Jewelry by Andrea
www.jewelrybyandrea.com
(403) 483-4108
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I started my business as a fluke. After being a stay at home mom for 4 years I was getting restless and really felt a loss of knowing myself. I have always had a creative side but just never found that right niche. In the past I have tried silversmithing, making hemp necklaces and I also did a degree in Interior Decorating. While all of those activities touched a spark in me, they were never the right fit. I have always loved jewelry. I’m a necklace and ring person. I’ve found in this business there are different “types” of people e.g. / bracelet and earrings, necklace and earrings, etc. My love for jewelry has always focused on unique pieces which are often out of my price range. My sister-in-law was turning 30 and I wanted to get her something with her birthstone, Emerald. Everything I found was either too fiddly or too expensive. I ended up ordering in some B grade emeralds and making a necklace for her. From there I continued to make necklaces for myself and as gifts. The more I made, the better the response I received. I felt like after years of searching, I had finally found the right way to channel my creative side. One night over coffee, my friends encouraged me to start my own business through home shows. I started in February of this year (2008). To date I have done several home parties, a large festival, landed a wholesale contract with 7 gifts shops and am booked through until Christmas. I have my own web-site but can’t begin to find the time to keep it up to date. Many items I sell before I have a chance to even photograph them.
As my business has grown, I have learned that in order me to maximize my sales during events, or any face time with a customer, I need to offer a full variety of products. I always wear a minimum of a necklace (of my making) and a ring (normally from G&F) when I go out. I get so many requests for cards this way. I do purchase stones and pendants from G&F but also from other suppliers. Rings are a huge seller for me but it is expensive to stock a variety in several sizes. A big thing I love about G&F is that I can bring in smaller numbers, in a variety of products, check the website before a show regarding what is still available, and then offer to bring in a product if a customer is willing to purchase it. In some cases I’ve actually just emailed photos of the products to customers and they have bought them before I have even ordered them. This allows me to run a small business, with high end stock, that is available in a variety of sizes (for rings especially) and colors, while not having to invest all of my money in product. I also find the artisan bracelets and earrings are big sellers, although I normally only carry about 2 of each at a time to keep that “one of a kind” feel. I use the smaller G&F non-faceted pendants as part of my necklaces and the faceted and larger pendants I sell on chains. Even some the stones from G&F come on cord with a tassel on either end. I bring these to my shows to give customers an idea of what the raw product looks like compared to a finished piece, but the presentation from G&F is like no other. *Nobody* else puts tasseled ends on their semi-precious gemstones and it looks classy. Gilbert and Frech products are not only a great seller, but an absolute favorite supplier to buy from. I signed up as a representative and love the benefits of the program. I know I can always get quality products and good prices. My children *love* the fact each shipment comes with 2 chocolates. I always purchase smile promotions, smile bags, anything of that kind. I love the surprise of what is going to arrive but I also *always* receive a great product at an even better price.
My advise for newcomers to the business is that you don’t have to invest your life savings all at once to start. Become a Gilbert & Frech representative and get products in at a great price. Wear the products, talk to your friends and family about the idea of selling jewelry and see if you can get just one show. Even if you just start by making yourself business cards, purchasing jewelry as gifts and putting a business card in with it, that’s a start. After doing several shows I now have a better idea of where I want to take my business. It’s a learning process and every night of poor sales, mistakes or blunders is a learning experience. For me, I figure my worst case scenario is that I end up with tons of jewelry that I love. Be sure to check out suppliers before handing over money and make sure you know what you are getting. I’ve learned to always have a ruler by my side when ordering and make sure I check to see what size the product is. This may sound like a paid for advertisement for Gilbert and Frech but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I have suppliers from India , China , Thailand , Bali and the throughout the U.S. Every order with G&F is worry free, it’s fun to get such nice jewelry at such a good price and it sells. For me, it’s the compliment to my hand-crafted necklaces, but the finishing touch, that closes a sale and makes my customers rave about how far I’ve come in such a short time.
Andrea Kelly
Jewelry by Andrea
www.jewelrybyandrea.com
(403) 483-4108
Gilbert & Frech comments:
Some tips from Andrea to emphasize:
1. Keep your business expenses low. What’s great about selling jewelry is you can keep all of your inventory in a shoe box.
2. WEAR your jewelry. Have your business card on you at all times with lots of copies
3. Enjoy what you do. Do you enjoy jewelry? This could be a great opportunity for you.
4. Order only what you need. Share photos, show examples. You don’t need to purchase tons of items…just order items each week as you need them.
5. All orders are “worry free”. There’s a 90-day return policy for all G&F Reps so you can return any items that you do not sell.
