Daily Inspiration: Meet Gracie Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gracie Johnson. 

Hi Gracie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Gracie Johnson, I am 20 years old and I have been the owner and operator of Hello Gorgeous for the past 5 years! It all started my junior year of high school where I started sewing together badge lanyards for our school IDs and selling them to my friends. I then started making scrunchies, makeup bags and so much more. I eventually realized that I could go beyond my friends at school and I could sell some of these things on Instagram, so I did! I started my Hello Gorgeous Instagram and the rest is history! I started making earrings and other kinds of jewelry, home decor, etc. I really let this business fill my crafter’s hearts and let myself have fun with it! I didn’t necessarily set strict rules of what I would make and sell, I simply made things I thought were popular at the time and that has proven to work! That’s when 2020 hit and I got very worried. With Covid shutting everything down I had no idea where HG was going to go, until one day, someone mentioned to me that I should use my sewing skills to make masks because there was a shortage everywhere. So, I did! I made masks to sell, I donated to medical facilities, I made so many masks I could have done it in my sleep! I stopped counting at 3,800! That being said, 2020 was a good year for my business, which many people can’t say and I am abundantly blessed that God gave me the opportunity to help so many people, as well as keep myself financially afloat. I continued after that to attend Farmer’s Markets and numerous craft shows! I began to sell on Facebook as well and actually just opened my Etsy shop, HelloGorgeousbyGracie! I love working for myself and proving to others that if you set your mind to it, you can make it happen. I got married in January of this year and my husband and I are expecting a baby at the beginning to 2023! 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would not say smooth by any means, but it always seems to work out in the end. Sometimes I invest time and money into something I think will sell really well, but then I post it and all I get are crickets. Sure, it can be discouraging, but that just means I need to focus on my customer, what do THEY want, and what will meet their current needs? I often have to refocus myself and push myself to keep going, then I remember how fulfilling this job is and why I started this in the first place! 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an entrepreneur, I have always loved creating new things, and for as long as I can remember, I have loved crafting and creating something from nothing. The product I handmake includes faux leather and charm earrings, beaded and stamped aluminum bracelets, stamped rings, kids’ accessories, home décor accent pieces, baby teethers, and pacifier holders, etc. My most popular item has to be my earrings. My goal from the very beginning was AFFORDABLE! I didn’t want to upcharge a $1 pair of earrings a crazy amount, instead I upcharge a smaller amount so that I can sell more of my inventory instead of getting more money off each purchase. I have seen this beneficial because someone will enter my booth at a craft show and see that the earrings, they picked out were only $5 compared to $12-$14 so they buy another pair for $4, one for their mother’s birthday coming up for $6 and one for their daughter for $3, in the end, because of my prices they spent $18 instead of $14 for one pair, and they are excited about it! I am proud that I can say my products are handmade or upcycled by me, everything is created with love, and I can truly be fulfilled when someone falls in love with one of my products, I put my time and love into. 

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
My customers matter to me most. I want to make them happy; I want them to see the time and care I put into every pair of earrings; I want them to proudly recommend my brand to everyone they know. I care about people and being able to make a little girl smile because she is able to spend the $3, she got from chores in my booth and get something she loves, or see the relief leave a mother of 3 girls who want a bracelet and she doesn’t have to spend $50 to make her babies happy. My goal isn’t to make millions of dollars, my goal is to create a successful business for real-world people. 

Pricing:

• earrings- $3 to $9 dollars
• bracelets- $4 to $14 dollars
• gift items- $3 to $20 dollars

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellogorgeous8701/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellogorgeous8701/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HelloGorgeouByGracie?ref=seller-platform-mcnav