LIVING AS A JEWELRY ENTREPRENEUR IS UNCERTAIN…

How great it is when you are at an art show and a couple people come into your booth, wondering a lot about your jewelry, asking you questions about how you make your pieces, why the red & black?, Are you local?….And then the best question of ALL. Do you do wholesale? DING DING…OF COURSE…

That is how a met business partners Edward Hart & Eric Nelson owners of Artfully Gifts & Chocolate  at the Alexandria Fine Arts & Wine Festival on October of 2011. We scheduled time to meet so we could talk about possibly placing an order to carry Evelyn Brooks Designs at their Alexandria location.

When I walked into the shop, I immediately fell in love with it and the variety of gifts they have to offer, BUT their hot coco’s with famous hollywood names is an ingenious idea. So if you are in Alexandria, stop by and see it for  yourself. If you feel in a mood of ice cream you can find it here, too

.

I went there the other day and saw a mom with two kids trying to get some gifts…and as a mom I admired what she did…she got a cup of ice cream for each of her kids, sat them on the tables and she peacefully got her gifts…I was thinking inside myself  WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

Getting into a new boutique or gallery is always a uncertain. We did not know if my jewelry designs were going to work or not, but Edward & Eric saw my work as a great fit for their gift shop. And indeed I brought my 1st pieces by the end of November, they quickly sold and have been selling non-stop ever since.

Later in January we talked about launching my Nazca Jewelry Collection at their Alexandria location just in time to celebrate Valentine’s, too.

This exclusive line of jewelry is an extension of my eco-chic collection and it is inspired by the Nazca lines, which represented a celestial Inca calendar used for rituals related to astronomy, the Spring 2012 Nazca Collection evokes mystery and mythology. Legend has it that the Nazca lines were built by an ancient Peruvian civilization called Nazca, located in the south of Peru.

The collection is hand-made with natural seeds of red, black, and hand-texturized sheets of silver. This new collection will feature necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for women. Prices range from $68 - $950.  

Now if you have the opportunity and travel to Peru take at least to days to visit Ica and go to the town of Nazca. Where you can take off on a little airplane and fly over The Famous Nazca Lines. Once you are there, you will understand more closely my jewelry collection inspired by the Nazca Lines.

Hasta la proxima
Evelyn

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More Valentine’s Gift Ideas…

 

 

My angels are a great gift when you are thinking about giving something special & affordable to  someone special or simple to say Thank YOU for our friendship 

Want to go for something classy? These sets passion red huayruro pieces are favorites among my clientele….The knots in between each huayruro bead and the silver heart in the middle of the bracelets makes an statement.

What to go romantic & exotic. This is one of my new assymetric onyx heart necklaces hand-wired with huayruro seeds around the heart. Length 18”

If you like to order it…email me @ evelyn@ebrookdesigns.com

Want to buy more pieces or add to your excisting collection order

The Evelyn Brooks Jewelry Catalog (click here)

Hope this helps you find and give you ideas for the PERFECT Valentine’s Day!

Hasta la proxima!

Technorati Tags: valentine's day,valentine's gifts,evelyn brooks designs,jewelry ideas,jewelry entrepreneur,angels jewelry,heart jewelry,red heart jewelry

Caution, redesign underway!

I was reading Entrepreneur Magazine (as you guys may already know I read this magazine FAITHFULLY) and it reassured me that redesign is not a word I should fear when it comes to my website. Many people fear change, but often times change can be beneficial. That being said, the Evelyn Brooks Designs website is undergoing redesign very soon  to make it more interactive for all you jewelry shoppers out there .

This is how I plan to undergo redesigning Evelyn Brooks Designs website:

These are my advices to consider when re-designing your new jewelry website:

1. Clean it out! Only include what is relevant to the site.

2. So easy a monkey can do it.  Make sure that your website is easy to navigate through and buy from. You must make it as simple as possible for customers.

3.  Engagement. Plan to engage the customers more. How, you may ask? Some ideas are promotions and special services.

4. Take a look at the analytics.  Look at the amount of people who view the site, where web traffic is coming from, etc. This way you can see what works and what does not.

5. Ask for help when needed. I know I am no expert at web design, that’s why I’m getting help! Don’t refuse it, web design professionals are at your disposal.

6. Feedback. I want to hear from my customers. After all I am serving you. Let me know what you think about the Evelyn Brooks Designs website.

I will keep you all posted as the renovations are made!

Love,

Evelyn Brooks

Ready for Crystal Couture 2012

Beautiful jewelry will be presented by Evelyn Brooks Designs at Crystal Couture Show & Sale 2012.

Caught On Camera for teaching ad campaign...

I’ve been teaching jewelry design classes at Montgomery College for a couple years now. I have to say it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences to teach people how to make jewelry. It’s therapeutic and gets your creative juices flowing. All you need to do is bring yourself !!  Please, trust me on this one I guarantee you’ll love it. And if you don’t want to take my word for it take a look at some of the shots I’ve taken of my students! With the pictures I’ve taken of my students and thanks to some tips from Entrepreneur magazine (I would be so lost without their trusted articles) I put together a video.

All I did was picked a topic…in this case it was the Jewelry Design Classes I teach, and used Windows Live Movie Maker to compose the pics together. It was easier than I thought! On the other hand, if you want to record a video, don’t psych yourself out. Be confident and press record. Practice, practice, practice so that you don’t  say “um” every other word, look directly into the camera lens, and address your topic of choice. Check mine out

I’m REALLY proud of my video. And hey, maybe next time you’ll see me putting up jewelry business tips on YouTube .

 

Yours truly,

Evelyn Brooks <3

I need Social Control...

Why is it that every time I get online to do something productive, I find myself on a social network. It's crazy!! People spend hours after hours liking Facebook status' retweeting, looking at friend's photo, it just doesn't stop!

Social networking was not a part of my life not too long ago, but now it's even a part of my job. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter,I do it all.

To manage all of these accounts I use Hootsuite.com. It allows me to manage my different accounts, schedule posts for free; and if you are willing to upgrade your account you can get extra features such as custom analytic reports. With this tool I am able to spend less time on social networks, while staying connected!



Social media dashboards are a great way for small businesses to stay engaged under budget. Hootsuite is not the only social media dashboard out there. There is Tweetdeck.com, which is also completely free! And if you and your business can take on a minor expense there is: www.sproutsocial.com, actionly.com, and nutshellmail.com.





And hey, while you're at it why don't you check me out at Evelyn Brooks Designs and like us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn ;)
Until next time,

Evelyn Brooks

Technorati Tags: Hootsuite,evelyn brooks,evelyn brooksdesigns,facebook badges,twitter badges,youtube and lindkedin

P.S Thank you to Entrepreneur Magazine for the inspiration today, read more on www.entrepreneur.com/article/217785

Red is still ON...

I just got the latest Redbook magazine and found these beautiful red outfits that u can accessorize with any of the Evelyn Brooks Designs jewelry pieces;) In just a few days we will be celebrating valentines day and that will be another excuse to get out of your closet that red outfit and once again impress your man;) Please remember we are here to help you find the perfect red and black jewelry accesories with the Evelyn Brooks Designs jewelry collection

Blogging from my iPhone...a whole new experience!

I can still not believe that I m actually blogging from my iPhone. I m sure there are still things that we can not do in this app, like a hipper link, a emoticon, etc... but it is truly making my life much easier and it is making me feel very productive.

So i thought what can i share this time? ...I look on my cell phone for a picture I could share with you and I found the picture of my latest collection that just arrived to Artfully gifts and chocolates located at 506 John Carlyle st. Alexandria va. 22304 that I took a few days ago...

If you are a blogger and want to share with us fabulous things you are doing with your iPhone. Please share them with us. Especially if it helps you to safe time and helps you post quickly.

Sincerely
Evelyn;) Hasta la proxima!

GOOD ENERGY, GREAT CLIENTS AND A 2012 FULL OF HOPE…

Time flies since I posted on our blog…why because I only have two hands. There is only so much you can do just with just two hands. This year it will be different. We are more organized than ever. We will post once or twice a week.

I truly believe in good energy, some call it good vibrations, others wear a clear crystal, others wear a Huayruro for bringing positive energy (like me, I always carry my red huayruro), whatever it is just think positively at any given time and even if it is in the middle of a cathastrophe at least thinking positively will give you HOPE for better times.

Our holiday season was STRONG, not great because I think the economy situation is still a big concern for buyers. Whom were actually looking more for the lower ticket price items and  few for the high ticket items. But it is what it is…and we were happy with it.

MOST IMPORTANTLY we are still in business, FULL OF HOPE and taking bigger projects for 2012.

One of the best things that happen to me as an entrepreneur during the holidays was…I got a call at 10p on New Years Eve (the day our MOSCHIK coupon expired) and this lady did not want to miss the opportunity to complete her whole EVELYN BROOKS DESIGNS set with the $25 off). Anyways while I was taking her order, she mentioned: I had wore the necklace and the earrings I purchased from you to a dinner party I was going to in Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, and a very refine lady came up to me and told me: YOU ARE WEARING AND EVELYN BROOKS DESIGNS PIECE…of course to me it almost brought me in tears, I couldn’t believe it!;  that someone in Kentucky would recognize my work. Which means we are growing and we are making it all the way to Kentucky.  It may sound funny at 1st but working and being an entrepreneur is not easy. We are always trying to do something to grow our business and perhaps we never sit down to think WHERE ARE WE? in what stage? and that call made me SIT DOWN and THINK (just a for a few minutes)…that my work is truly paying off, is not just in DC, VA, MD like in the begining. It is going all over the US, just as I dream it.

We have made it into over 20 boutiques …and that is why this year our efforts will go even further….I am gonna use a phrase that I heard BUZZ LIGHTYEAR from Toy Story the movie says: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND…that is what my little one is now saying, so I can use that phrase, too.

I hope my enthusiasm brings you HOPE to any projects you are about to begin or are in the middle of…

My sincere wishes of a happy, healthy and succesful 2012! THANK YOU SO MUCH for your continuing support!

Sincerely,

Evelyn Brooks

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Exciting-Black-Friday-Offer-from-Evelyn-Brooks-Designs.html?soid=1101757815098&aid=_Ani-bpPMGs

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Exciting-Black-Friday-Offer-from-Evelyn-Brooks-Designs.html?soid=1101757815098&aid=_Ani-bpPMGs

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/More-the-TWENTY-boutiques---galleries-carrying-EBD-jewelry-collection.html?soid=1101757815098&aid=sA6vZtJVw3s

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/More-the-TWENTY-boutiques---galleries-carrying-EBD-jewelry-collection.html?soid=1101757815098&aid=sA6vZtJVw3s

PLANNING FOR A RETAIL SHOW

Dear friends

I am writing this blog from Los Angeles California. The Annual National Hispana Leadership Institute 2011 Executive Leadership Training Conference & Mujer Awards is happening Nov. 3rd & 4th.

This is the 1st time Evelyn Brooks Designs is officially exhibiting in the West Coast.

And of course we had to plan ahead of time for this so awaited exhibition..

I have a list of items to bring for my retails shows...but now I realize that there must be a list for every show just cause every show is different. There are different clients and different expectations for every show. There are different promotions that apply for every show, too. It is a lot of work getting ready for every show.

We not only do retail shows, we also do wholesale shows, we do marketing only shows, we do runway shows, so for each show make your list of items you should never forget. And of course every time you do them make sure you at your list at the end of your show and see what other things you can implement. You can always learn from other exhibitors. Some have been around longer than we are and can give us some advice. Specially try to find how to travel lighter and lighter.

My personal advice if you are returning to a show don’t forget to email all your clients that live close by that area, or clients that you met the year before, invite them and informe them that you will be there:) perhaps an extra incentive would not hurt either

I love the reading the Entrepreneur magazine and they always have ideas and advices for those entrepreneurs just starting a  business and for those already are on their way…

I found this link that talks about how to start your retail business

http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/startupkits/article75912.html

And this one that talks about how to increase your retail sales

http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/startupkits/article75912.html

Good luck!

Sincerely

Evelyn Brooks

P.s.- Pictures above, attendees admiring and purchasing my latest designs at the 2010 NHLI conference in Miami Florida. One of the best parts of my conference last year was that I got to personally meet Miguel Bose  

Technorati Tags: evelyn brooks designs,miguel bose,entrepreneur magazine,retail business,retail shows

WHY PROFESSIONAL FOLLOW UP IS SOOO IMPORTANT?

The wholesale shows have passed and the next ones aren’t happening until January/February, right? So what happens when you have clients that did not visit your booth at the recent wholesale shows or you simply have not heard from them.

You are probably wondering why? what happened? was my product good enough for their clientele?  and  did my product met their sales expectations? etc., etc.…One of the main things your have to find out is making sure they have received your information which means your new catalog, brochure, etc., etc.…

Don’t wait to find out that the post office did not deliver your wholesale catalog and that you lose an order because of that. That just happened to me. I was hoping to get an  order from a very important client BUT GUESS WHAT? my client never got my catalog and when I spoke with her she told me. I am really sorry because I already placed all my orders for the rest of this year. So please contact me back in January. OH WELL! maybe it wans;t my time BUT I was really upset. Although I learned a lesson. With your VIP’s make sure you mail your wholesale catalogs via certified mail.

Anyways…as the fall is coming and the weather is changing I can not just sit down and wait for calls to come in to get orders from my clients. So I am actively calling my clients to make sure they have received my wholesale catalog and if they want to place another order.

Following up is SO IMPORTANT! Don’t feel bad by calling and getting feedback on your product. Every time we learn something and don’t be afraid of hearing some constructive critic.

Surprisingly, few businesses actively follow up with their existing clients. This is a mistake. Your existing customers produce more sales at a lower cost to you. They already know and trust you.

If you follow up, it will help you to identify problems that customers had but didn’t complain about. This will allow you to resolve those problems and keep those customers. You are providing excellent customer service, and you will generate positive and ongoing word of mouth advertising about your company.

You can read  Word of Mouth Advertising for more on this subject.

Marketers tell us that it costs 5 - 8 times the amount of money to get a new customer than it does to keep an existing customer satisfied. Well, it’s true. Think of customer retention as pebbles rolling down a mountainside. Happy customers spread the word, and soon you can have an avalanche on your hands. Follow up is the key.  

Follow up works to build customer loyalty. It’s how you tell your customers that they are important. Research shows that 68% of customers that don’t return to a company say that the company never contacted them, was indifferent, or had a poor attitude. Sending your customers follow up letters is the solution.

And of course your competition is trying to win your customers. But you can beat them. A follow-up personal note is more powerful that a full page ad in the New York Times. If you invest in your customers, they will keep bringing – and sending – you business for life. No competitor will be able to win them away if you stay in contact and follow up with your customers.

For more information of Professional Follow Up

PRESCHOOL vs WORKING MOM

This is a very personal post that I like to share with all of the working mom’s out there. Who hasn’t missed the 1st day of Preschool, the 1st day of 1st grade, kindergarten, etc.…

Yes there is a feeling of guiltiness BUT I think we also have to be responsible workers, right? I got mixed feelings last week when I had to choose between attending one of my most important events of the year and bringing my little one Tyler (2 and 1/2 years old) to his 1st day of preschool. I had to choose and I hope I made the right decision.

I got this picture at 910a and I was in tears cause I wasn’t there. I will try and do my best to make sure I am there for his 1st day at elementary school. Hopefully there will be many 1st days in his life that I won’t miss.

This is a whole new chapter in my life as a mom, wife and as a working mother entrepreneur. I have to adjust my schedule based on the days Tyler goes to school. I also have to adjust the meals we eat, nap times, bed time that is on the personal side and on the working side meeting times, perhaps will have to sell more online so I have more flexible time, too?

With the flooding we had last week Tyler only went to school on Thursday and  on Friday he did not go cause’ his school was flooded. That was something that I did not expected to happen. I was wondering what would have happened if that day I was committed with a client, or to deliver an order or to have a show, etc., etc.…Luckily that day I did not have anything scheduled and I was able to stay home with him. BUT I am thinking that now I also have to take in consideration that when the weather is not looking good Tyler may not go to school

I wish there is a book that tells us what is the best and the perfect thing to do for your kids. But there isn’t. I think when you have kids you do the best, hope for the best so they have a brilliant future and better opportunities.

Tyler one day you will read this post.  I want you to know YOU MOTIVATE to grow as a mom, to be your best friend and to continue proving the world that you can be a mom and also a mompreneur. I hope you feel PROUD of MAMA when you read this email.

LOVE U – TE QUIERO MUCHO

Evelyn Brooks

Partnering with The Green Cup Polo…

My partnership with the Green Cup Polo began last year. But Evelyn Brooks Designs has been part of the Green Cup Polo for already four years. It all started in 2008 when Evelyn Brooks Designs donated a piece of jewelry to support the efforts of the Green Cup Polo.

Then in 2009 we came back to participate as one of their vendors during the main event and at that point the organizer/event planner and myself were already talking about the possibility of designing a customize piece of jewelry that would help raise funds for the Green Cup Polo. This proyect did not happen until November of 2009 when we started the process and creation of the Green Cup Polo bracelet. The final piece was ready by February of 2010 at that point we thought it would be a great idea to add cufflinks to the Green Cup Polo Eco-Sustainable Jewelry Collection.

The bracelet is made with natural peridot and recycled silver  (Suggested Retail $150 – Yours for $95). The cufflinks are also made with recycled silver (Suggested Retail $195 – Yours $150)

Evelyn Brooks Designs supports the efforts of the Green Cup Polo initiative of preserving our world while working with eco friendly materials to create a final product.

It has been a wonderful experience and partnership. Last year Evelyn Brooks Designs was also invited to be part of the Eco-Fashion Show accesorizing the georgeous models.

During last year pre-events and the main event we were selling the Green Cup Polo bracelets and cufflinks with proceeds benefiting them. Lots of guests were proudly wearing their new jewelry pieces.

We are ready for the 2011 Green Cup Polo and look forward to seeing you at the 1st Eco – Gala  happening on Sep. 15th at the L2-Lounge of Georgetown and during the main event happening on Sunday Sept. 17th at The Capital Polo Club in Poolsville Maryland. 12n – 6p)

Tickets are on sale NOW – GET YOURS! COME OUT & SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE GREEN CUP POLO 2011 this year benefiting the National Resources Defense Council.

You can also support The Green Cup Polo 2011 buying the bracelet and cufflinks.

Watch our  PROMO  VIDEO  (Click below)

Green Cup Polo Jewelry Promo Video

 

Nos vemos!

Evelyn Brooks

Technorati Tags: L2 lounge,green cup polo,capital polo club,lorraine lamont,roberto do,evelyn brooks designs,eco sustainable jewelry,natural peridot bracelet,green cup polo cufflinks

EBD celebrates its 5th years as part of the Latina Style family….

On Thursday September 8th from 7a-3p the 8th National Latina Symposium is back!  This years event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel (2799 Jefferson Davis Highway. Arlington, VA 22202)

My relationship with Latina Style started five years ago at the 3rd National Latina Symposium. They gave me the opportunity to showcase my jewelry line; at that time I was working my natural gemstones jewelry line with sterling silver. I was giving my baby steps in the corporate world. Learning to display my jewelry, learning about my clients, what they like, their preferences, networking and more… (don’t get me wrong there is still a lot to learn…)

Every year I come back and I am excited to see old time supporters of Latina Style & Evelyn Brooks Designs as well as meeting new supporters and network with the most notable and influential Hispanic entrepreneurs in the United States.

I look forward to showcase my latest designs. I am  adding new  pieces to the excisting “Moschik Collection”

The 1st two hundred attendees will find inside of the Latina Style gift bags a beautiful Passion Red Heart bracelet (Sugg. Retail Value – $95) This bracelet has been designed especially to celebrate our 5 years attending the National Latina Symposium for this occasion.

We like to thank Robert Bart and all the organizers behind the making of the 8th National Latina Style 2011. Evelyn Brooks Designs is proud to be part of the Latina Style family; for all the support you have given me ever since I joined your family.

To those of you who like to know more about the 8th National Latina Style Symposium – Some of the subjects that will be talk:

• Nurturing Latina Success – Showcasing leadership inside and outside of your organization to create a pipeline of talent.
• The Power of Networking – How Employee Resource Groups and Affinity Groups can play a vital role in your professional growth and development.

ALSO ATTEND THE DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE AWARDS LUNCHEON 

 Register NOW – Don’t MISS OUT!

Nos vemos , sinceramente…

Evelyn Brooks

Technorati Tags: evelyn brooks designs,national latina symposium,latina style magazine,latina success,robert bart,power of networking

Finally the Summer Wholesale Season is Over…

Dear followers I like to share with you my experience during the wholesale Summer Shows I attended. Evelyn Brooks Designs was accepted and maintained a booth at the Buyer’s Market of American Craft (BMAC) in Baltimore. Overall it is been a great experience. I have heard that during the Summer show there was not much traffic but I can not tell you for sure cause’ this is only my third wholesale show with BMAC.

I think as a new wholesaler things are much harder than they use to be. We have to prove ourselves that our jewelry is worthwhile in new venues and that final clients will buy them.

Luckily I have continued to build relations with my exciting wholesale accounts and the Buyer's Market of American Craft has give us the opportunity to meet with new clients.

Our Booth During the Buyer’s Market of American Craft in Baltimore

Beginning October you will be able to find Evelyn Brooks Designs at the National Building Museum in Washington DC, The Baltimore Museum of the Art in Maryland, Gallery Five in Tequesta (Florida) and we are also finalizing details with two other museums that will be carrying my jewelry line.

The Nazka Collections

My suggestion to new jewelry designers embarking onto the wholesale world is mainly BE PATIENT. Results will not come to you as quickly as you think. If they do ,CONSIDER YOURSELF REALLY LUCKY. Also you should know some accounts will only pay you 30 days after you have delivered your order.

I would recommend to inform your wholesale accounts how soon you can turn in orders during Christmas season. If your turn around is quick ,you may land a lot of last minute orders.

I also visited the New York Gift Show. Why you may ask? Because, I definitely want to be part of it. I certainly wanted to have an idea of which pavilion would be the best for my jewelry to be featured. Also, I wanted to talk to some of  the artists exhibiting there. I was lucky enough to see some of my current clients on-site who also gave me their advice about this show.

It was totally worth visiting The New York Gift show. I heard there was a section called THE NEWEST DESIGNERS…located at Pier 92. I actually thought there was a pavilion inside the Javits Center called Pier 92. Not that you have to take a ride bus of about 15 minutes to get to this new section. I honestly did not hear many good things about this new addition. I wish them well to everybody who participated. Hopefully we will be part of the New York Gift Show in 2012.

For wholesale inquiries you can email me at wholesale@ebrooksdesigns.com

See you in Philadelphia during the 2012 Buyer’s Market of American Craft