Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Reyna.
Karina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I studied business and received my degree in Marketing from Texas A&M in Corpus Christi and have always wanted to open up my own business. After gaining experience in marketing and advertising I decided it was time to open up a small business and in October of 2014 I opened up Three Sisters Jewelry & Accessories.
I have two sisters and a younger brother so I decided Three Sisters fit perfectly! I also thought that since my sisters and I have our own styles and wear different sizes, it was a great way to promote my business and cater to all women.
I started out with participating in small markets back in my hometown of Del Rio. After a few markets selling only jewelry, I added clothing and began selling online. In 2016, I thought it was time to get into the Houston market and started with the Dia de Los Muertos market in the East End. It’s been busy with markets ever since and I have slowly added home goods items such as placemats, coasters and table runners as well as items from Mexico including clothing, hats, bags, shoes, and blankets. I really look forward to market days and weekends and continue to participate in markets in Del Rio to Houston and cities in between!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not exactly, at first I never thought I could open up a business since I was still in student loan debt and trying to live. But I thought with my good credit, I would slowly purchase wholesale with a credit card and pay back with sales and profits from the markets I participated in.
I also felt overwhelmed competing with other businesses in Houston so I started out small with markets back in my hometown until I gained experience and felt confident enough to participate in markets in Houston. It took me a couple of years but I finally took the leap!
I have worked full-time and run my business part-time but I have continued to work hard so I can one day take my business full time! Until then, I will continue to participate in markets around town, get my business name out there, meet new people and continue to provide great customer service and products to each and everyone who visits my booth!
Please tell us about Three Sisters Jewelry & Accessories.
I started my business mainly focused on jewelry but slowly incorporated clothing and scarves, placemats, coasters, table runners, bags, then items from Mexico like blouses and dresses, blankets, hats, sarapes and huaraches.
I feel at first I was known for having a variety of fashion jewelry but lately when I added new products including placemats, bags, and coasters featuring Dia de Los Muertos designs I became “that girl” selling “those placemats!” But I have to admit that adding clothing from Mexico such as Puebla blouses and dresses, I feel that customers have come to look for me and have referred me to others. I specialize in a variety of items, and the good thing is that I have so much of so much I can pick what I want to take to a market depending on what the theme is and I can change it up!
What I have been most proud of lately is when market organizers have reached out to me to include me in their events. It takes time finding markets to participate in, some markets go through a selection process so when I get approved I just get excited!! There have been a few I wasn’t accepted too and at first, I was bummed but then thought it was just an opportunity to find others that I could be a part of. I also love hearing comments from people about hearing about me. It keeps me going!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
When I first bought wholesale products, I think I just got super excited and over bought! Sometimes you get a better deal if you buy more of an item. But, I should have paid the few cents more to buy less of an item and tested out the products first.
I also would have planned better financially!
Pricing:
- Jewelry prices range from $3-$30
- Clothing $16-$48
- Homegoods $3-$20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://squareup.com/store/three-sisters-jewelry-and-accessories
- Phone: 830-734-4380
- Email: 3sisterstx@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.reynathreesistersjewelry/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threesistersjewelryandaccessories/
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