Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Godby.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lauren. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Lojewels initially began on Father’s day of 2015. It was a relaxed summer day at home, and I had the urge to create something. After searching on Pinterest at fashionable jewelry, I decided I wanted to make my wrap bracelet. I began searching online and proceeded to buy some light gray leather and a lavender druzy stone. I had just graduated from high school and was about to attend Texas Christian University, so I wanted to make a purple statement bracelet to wear for game days. Once my materials arrived, I put it all together and was obsessed with the bracelet! I loved it so much, so I decided to post a picture of it on my VSCO account, which is a photo-sharing app that allows users to edit and share photos. Some of my followers saw my post and immediately asked if I could make them one of their own. After I realized that several friends had much interest in my product, I decided to create an Instagram.
This is when we created the brand name, “Lojewels” since most of my closest friends and family called me “Lo”. After creating the Lojewels Instagram, a blogger/influencer friend of mine saw the wrap bracelets I had made. She immediately wanted one for herself and proceeded to post her new bracelet on her Instagram, which brought in a tremendous amount of orders and sales. The sales were crazy, and my business took off so quickly! This was when I knew that this was the start of something special, and I took advantage of this opportunity to grow my business into a successful one over the past four years. Lojewels has consistently grown over the past four years, and I manage every aspect of my business including social media, website management, accounting, photography, design, and a lot more! Now that I have graduated from TCU, I am working full-time for this business of mine!
Great, 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?
It was challenging at times to manage my business due to my busy schedule as a college student and an entrepreneur. On top of being a student, I was also a member of the TCU Showgirls dance team, which was a huge time commitment and responsibility. I am also the owner of my photography business as well, so I have to schedule various photoshoots for clients which can also be time consuming. Due to having such a busy schedule with my other commitments and responsibilities, this created challenges toward my business. My knack for social media and photography widely contributes to Lojewels’ successful social media page. Yet, because of the lack of time I had during the school year, it was a struggle to maintain consistency with posting on social media and managing the website, which I built entirely on my own. It’s important to keep the website and social media up to date, but sometimes this was difficult considering the busy schedule that I had. On top of that, fashion trends are always changing throughout the seasons, so I always have to keep in mind how to evolve the different pieces to keep up with these constantly evolving trends.
Please tell us about your business.
Lojewels completely grew from the power of social media. Remaining consistent is a huge key to a successful business and makes a brand more recognizable, therefore I post consistently every day on Instagram. Given my knowledge of photography, marketing, and my creative skills, I turn my products into something extraordinary throughout social media in creative ways. Lojewels is known for its unique and well-priced statement pieces. Our initial target audience was the college-aged girls, which led to our niche of game day jewelry. Lojewels continues to popularize in game day jewelry as well as game day scarves. Also, butterflies identify with our brand as well. I have always had a fascination with butterflies and the beauty that they bring, so we incorporate this butterfly symbolism throughout the brand.
Over the past four years, I haven’t heard of any other company or brand where one individual in their twenties completely manages every aspect of the business on their own. I market every aspect of Lojewels on my own, have completely built my website, manage social media daily, keep track of accounting, photograph products and models, and create all the content. Therefore, I have never had to hire any outside help besides the selfless help of my mother and sister. Also, I am most proud of how I was able to build a brand that is widely known across the country when I was just 19 years old.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Maintaining consistency, value, and trust is of the utmost importance to the brand’s success. We want to remain consistent in the quality of the products so that our customers are pleased with their items. Valuing Lojewels’ customers involves acknowledging their opinions and experiences to better serve their needs. Also, creating relationships with customers and treating them with kindness is what compels consumers to trust in the brand and continue to purchase from Lojewels. The brand strives to have a distinctly unique identity that competitors cannot match. I am one of the lucky ones with the chance to turn my dreams into a reality while inspiring others across the nation in unimaginable ways.
Pricing:
- Items are very well-priced and affordable
- Earrings and necklaces vary from $15-40
- Scarves vary from $30-45
- Velvet Pearl Headbands are $25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lojewels.org
- Phone: 8176896017
- Email: contact@lojewels.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lojewels/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lojewelss/
Image Credit:
Davis Scruggs
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