Today we’d like to introduce you to Darcie Huff.
Darcie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was a senior at TCU, I had decided that after graduation I would go on an 11-month mission trip to 11 countries through an organization called The World Race. The Christian-based mission of the trip and the opportunity to see a ton of different cultures really excited me, but fundraising $16k to go really intimidated me. As a college student, I wanted a way to get my peers on board with sending me out without it being awkward to ask for hefty financial help.
I was given great advice that “people like to give when they get” – so I wanted to make something to sell. This item needed to be low-cost to make, affordable to buy, and easy to ship. Rings fit the bill! I wrapped some wire around my mascara bottle, trying to make a dainty stackable knot ring, and totally failed. I had no clue what I was doing. But I kept wrapping the wire and the Go Ring came about. It had 11 loops to represent the 11 countries I was going to, and seven bindings on the back to represent the seven teammates I’d be traveling with. I sold them for $15 each and raised enough money to fully fund my trip! It was such a joyful, magnetic way to fundraise.
When I got ready to leave for the 11 months, my college roommate Dru McIlhenny graciously offered to keep Go Rings running for me. The brand had some momentum and kept gaining traction through Instagram, Etsy, and local magazines. When I got back from the trip, to my surprise, we had a viable business! Dru has been the brains behind Go Rings ever since.
Fast forward six years later, and here we are! Now, based out of Austin, we team up with other women who are raising money to “go do good.” People apply on our website to partner with us for a month. Our monthly fundraising partners encourage friends and family to buy from GoRings.com and receive 30% of everything sold in their name. It’s been so fun and encouraging to help send others out to bring some more light into this world.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been weirdly smooth. Of course, over the course of six years, there have been some bumps along the way. I’m grateful that ours have been small! Dru and I have learned a ton through accidentally starting a business.
I think the biggest liability in our business is owning a company with one of your best friends. It’s not always easy, and we’ve learned a ton about honoring one another. I think getting through relational difficulties early on was the biggest struggle for Go Rings. I’m happy to say that as we’ve grown up, we’ve got a super solid working relationship and non-working relationship. Dru is an amazing business partner, and Go Rings would not exist without her!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Go Rings story. Tell us more about it.
We sell handmade and ethically-sourced jewelry, partnering with different individuals and organizations monthly to help them fundraise. 30% of what we sell goes to fund our partners for that month.
We’re best known for our dainty gold jewelry line. Our collection was made to be your every day, never-take-it-off, lasts-for-years kind of jewelry. Dainty, on-trend, high-quality — yet durable, classic and affordable.
We are really proud of what we make and how we make it. Our production is split between Haiti and Texas. We work with Haiti Design Co., a Port Au Prince-based production company who teaches artisan skills to Haitians. Our team of women in Haiti who make Go Rings are hilarious, kind and loving. We also have a small team in Austin who makes the other half of our jewelry.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Consumers are becoming more and more conscious these days. I love it, and I believe this movement will continue. Go Rings is proud of every aspect of our business. Ethically-sourced materials, ethically-made products, high-quality pieces, and benefitting amazing causes… that’s what we’re all about. We hope that consumers will continue to become increasingly aware of the companies their dollars are supporting.
Pricing:
- All of our products are priced under $50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gorings.com
- Email: hello@gorings.com
- Instagram: @go_rings
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.
