Today we’d like to introduce you to Janely Herrera Nieves.
Hi Janely, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have enjoyed art and fashion ever since I was a little girl. Throughout my life, I’ve worked with different mediums and in the wake of these trying times, I decided I wanted to try something new. I’m a firm believer that earrings are the most important part of every outfit. I often struggled to find the perfect pair of earrings, so I decided the new medium that I would pursue should be one that enabled me to create earrings I love. This is why I decided to get started with polymer clay, and once I did, I was hooked. As I created new pairs of earrings and got such positive feedback from loved ones, I realized that my new hobby could help make one of my longest-standing dreams come true; starting my own business. Eight months and eighty all-nighters later, J Snow & Co. came to be what it is today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With a full-time job, a newfound hobby, and no concept of how to practically run a business, the road was anything but smooth. I work full-time for a school district to help pull my weight around the house and to do my part to help the community. I love my job, but it was incredibly difficult to find the time to get everything done in the beginning. I realized that I would have to give up time in my personal life to make it all work, but I knew the sacrifice would help make my dream come true. Once I figured out the time I had to figure out the clay. It was easy to make pretty earrings, in pretty colors, in pretty shapes that looked pretty on the ear, but it was also pretty easy to break them. I very quickly realized that if I wanted to create a quality product, durability and craftsmanship were going to be everything.
The start of my business was less about business and more about improving my craft. I spent countless hours working with different clay, glue, earring findings, tools, and techniques to create the highest quality earrings possible. I was no stranger to improving my art, so when it came time to learn the business side of things, I knew I was entering uncharted territory. I wanted everything to be official and correct, but I honestly had no idea where to start. After lots of research, I decided that incorporating as an LLC was the direction I wanted to go. Newly incorporated, very uneasy as to how I should proceed, I figured that establishing a social media presence and building a website were the next logical steps. After trial and error, then trial by fire, I managed to find my way to where I am today. It’s definitely one of the hardest roads I’ve ever had to travel, but I’ve enjoyed the ride every step of the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about J Snow & Company?
Here at J. Snow & Co., we are polymer clay earring specialists that strive to do more than just make the best earrings. We believe the foundation of our business should be built on the quality of our products and the content of our customer experience. We use the best tools, on the best clay, to make the best earrings. Our earrings aren’t just some of the best because they look good; they’re sturdy too. We practice and experiment with new techniques to ensure that our quality is constantly improving and our durability is second to none. Through our packaging, social media interactions, and customer service, we express genuine gratitude to our customers for making this dream possible. We do not just want to be known for our durable earrings and thoughtful branding. We want to be known for our character and desire to help make the world a little better every day. We know that business isn’t just about business; it’s about people too. We advocate strongly for women’s empowerment, in part through our ongoing series “Women for Women” on our social media. As we grow, we are committed to helping improve our community and enable others like us to succeed as well.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think that polymer clay earrings have the propensity to be the next big thing. I believe that earrings are the most important part of every outfit. The right pair of earrings can turn an ordinary fashion statement into an extraordinary expression of art and creativity. Traditional earring mediums are, in my opinion, limited in their capacity to allow for this expression. Polymer clay, however, allows for more precise artistic execution and facilitates the exploration of unique avenues of creativity. I firmly believe that if I, and others in my industry, continue to passionately pursue advancement with customer experience at the forefront, this industry is going to skip the moon and head straight for the stars.
Contact Info:
- Email: j.snowandco@gmail.com
- Website: https://jsnowandco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.snow.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/j.snow.co/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsnowco
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.snow.co?
