Today we’d like to introduce you to Hanah and Andy Bartee.
Hanah and Andy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My husband and I met at Church Camp in the summer of 1989 in Tishomingo, OK. I was nine years old and he was 11. I did not know it at the time, but he says I was his first crush. Little did we know, that 23 years later, we would be married. We reunited later in life and both knew right away, we were meant to be together. We dated for about two years then started looking for engagement rings. After searching for a while, I wasn’t satisfied with the selections. Don’t get me wrong, they were all so beautiful, and I would find rings that were so close to what I wanted but not that “perfect” one. Looking back, I now see it was because I wanted something unique that would represent “us” in a special, classy way. I kept searching for something I loved until one day I thought, “What if I could design my own ring? How could I make it something unique and represent Andy and me?” Then, long story short, the first Initially and Forever engagement ring was designed!
When I mentioned to Andy I wanted something custom, he heard me, and he did well!! I mentioned to him the idea of incorporating our initials into our ring in a very clean classy manner. I did not want it to be visible for everyone to see, but somewhat encrypted where we knew it would always be there so that only he and I could share. I was overjoyed when he proposed to me in Napa Valley on Spring Mountain at Barnett Winery on Rattlesnake Hill the Fall of 2011! Andy being in the wine industry, the proposal should have been expected when heading to wine country, but he was able to surprise me after all. I had a beautiful, classy ring that incorporated our initials and I thought, “I love how the initials are intertwined!” “It represents our union and is a beautiful symbol of our love and becoming one!”
I took the initials and created the very first Initially and Forever Personal Initial-Based Logo Signet. Coming from a marketing background, I got to work and had a vision to “brand” the wedding. I used our Personal Logo Signet for our Save the Dates, Invitations, Napkins, Stickers, Dance Floor Light and really felt our union was represented in such a special unique way, and I loved it all!
Since we had created our “Personal Logo Signet” Andy was able to take that into our marriage for gifts for special milestones. For our fifth year anniversary, Andy designed a Diamond Necklace pendant with our initials and presented it to me with roses on our hotel bed! Again, I was so thankful that he had thought of me that way and created something again so special and custom. I have been able to take that design idea and put it into Personal Logo Signets for engaged couples getting married and for married couples who want their children’s initials set to a birthstone. The fun thing about our story, is we want to share the experience with everyone and give them that feeling I had each time I glanced at them for the first time, pure joy! We can design the perfect custom option then fabricate a beautiful jewelry piece that represents your love and memory. It has been so special for us and we love creating the same experience for others.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think anyone who starts a business based out of a passion project has a smooth road. If so, introduce them to me, I’m all ears! There have been many challenges for sure! The first challenge was branding and finding our target market and whom we would appeal to. With my marketing/branding background I had trusted relationships and my branding was something short of a miracle and cost me nothing believe it or not! Yes, logo, website, marketing materials all of it! I am so grateful, but with the aspect of “free”, it did take some time, two years in fact. In the end, it was well worth that wait. I had this passion since our wedding, Spring of 2012, but wasn’t able to launch until Winter of 2018.
After I launched, there were many growing pains and more marketing challenges than I had originally anticipated. My proof of concept was so innovative that the market didn’t even know it existed, so cutting edge to say the least. I had to do a fair amount of research to discover the target market, then revamp the website to attract that target market and then create a new marketing plan so it would attract those who don’t know they need what I have to offer. I also have learned how to serve clients well, and provide a solution for them that creates that intrinsic joy they should have when designing custom jewelry. So much fun! The process has been a learning curve for sure, but all very necessary for growth and achieving the goals my husband and I set out to achieve. Through all of it, the ups and downs have been fun and exciting and we are both up for the challenge, ready and eager to serve our current clients well and welcome many more. We see it as a lifetime relationship and love building on the flourishing customer base we have already created!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Initially and Forever – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Initially and Forever is luxury custom branded jewelry that focuses on Initial-Based Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands, and Necklace Pendants set to diamonds or any precious stones using white gold, yellow gold, rose gold or platinum. We also provide a service to Brides that offer Initial-Based Logo Signets for their special day. A Logo Signet is the bride and groom initials set to a logo that can be incorporated into the wedding with, Save the Dates, Invitations, Wedding Programs, Napkins, Monogram Projection or whatever you like! It is something unique that will help “brand” the most important day of your life. Everyone will love that it represents the bride and groom becoming one!
Our Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands are completely custom and exclusive to each couple. Our Jewelry is designed and very individual to our clients, based on how they want to integrate their initials of the bride and groom in an exclusive once in a lifetime piece. We pay special attention to the client’s unique personal brand and match the design style of the bride’s choosing and incorporate both, ensuring the ring represents her completely.
Our Necklace Pendants are popular and serve multiple occasions: Husbands to Wives as gifts for Wedding Anniversary to represent their union and marriage. It can also be for Mothers, Sisters or anyone special as a gift on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas or just to say “I love you.” The Anniversary Necklace Pendant includes the initials set to a diamond, white sapphire or birthstone in whichever precious metal you prefer. The Mother Necklace Pendant will include the initials of the family or children, again completely customizable to what Mom might want! Birthstones are popular to incorporate into this design, but the lucky mom’s get a diamonds (c’mon, they deserve it!).
Every piece of jewelry from Initially and Forever is meant to cater to exactly what each client wants, we aren’t happy unless you are happy!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The future of Initially and Forever is so bright! We want to provide a unique opportunity and bring happiness and memories to so many Couples, Brides, Sisters, and Mothers. Being a Mom, Sister and Bride myself, I know that we are always looking to feel “special” and sometimes, there is a sense that we don’t deserve it. I say, scrap that feeling! Yes, you DO deserve to feel “special” and be taken care of in a unique and personal way. Initially and Forever is primed and ready to meet those needs!
We are marketing on Facebook, Instagram and pushing potential clients to our new website! Our goal is to take the unique experience and share it with as many as we can, we love to enjoy the memories we make and the relationships we build along the way. Andy and I love sharing our story with each client, and then being a part of their story!
Pricing:
- Initial-Based Custom Logo Signet $500
- Initial-Based Custom Engagement Ring (Custom pricing)
- Wedding Bands (Custom pricing)
- Initial-based Custom Necklace Pendant (custom pricing)
Contact Info:
- Address: 10305 Mapleridge Dr
- Website: https://www.initiallyandforever.com/
- Phone: 214-732-2828
- Email: hanah@initiallyandforever.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/initiallyandforever/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/initiallyandforever/
Image Credit:
Jessica Sherrell
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
