Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Nokes.
Hi Courtney, 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’m a wife of 12 years and a mom to a 3-year-old little girl.
When my daughter was born in 2023, I knew I wanted to help support my family while staying home with her. I wanted to be present in her life and eventually be hands-on with her education. After she turned one, I started thinking about getting back into business, but I knew I needed something that wouldn’t just pay the bills. I wanted something that would actually bring me joy.
I had heard of permanent jewelry before, but I never paid much attention to it until I was invited to a pop-up. I started researching what it was, how it worked, and honestly my first thought was, “Is this actually a profitable business?” The more I learned, the more intrigued I became. It looked creative, empowering, and fun. Plus, who doesn’t want to say they make custom jewelry with a power tool?
After getting my first bracelet and necklace, I was hooked. As a mom, I loved having jewelry I never had to think about. It made me feel a little more put together every day, and I wanted to create that feeling for other women too.
I worked through the numbers, figured out my startup costs and pricing, and thought: “How many bracelets do I have to sell to pay for this?” Once I had that answer, it didn’t feel nearly as scary. Before my starter kit even arrived, I had already booked my first pop-up and first market.
My first pop-up was… memorable. My very first clients were a mother and daughter who chose the one chain on my display that I wasn’t confident working with. They were in a hurry, I was shaking, I kept making mistakes, and after finally getting one bracelet welded, I accidentally cut the wrong link and watched it fall right off. I was absolutely mortified. They were incredibly patient, chose a different chain, and I finally got them taken care of. I remember thinking, “What am I doing?” But then I realized the hardest part was over. I finished the day with happy clients, drove home on a complete high, and wanted to set up at home and just keep welding.
That day also showed me what I would end up loving most. It wasn’t just making jewelry. It was meeting people, celebrating milestones with them, and collaborating with other local business owners, most of them women working hard to support their families.
One of my favorite moments happened a few months after that first pop-up. I was back at the same location when that same mother and daughter walked in, still wearing the bracelets I had made for them. They told me they had come back just to see me. This time I confidently put them in the very chain that had intimidated me on day one. I got to tell them how much their patience had meant to me and thank them for trusting a brand-new business owner. It was such a full-circle moment.
I never planned to open a studio in my second year. My plan was to stay mobile because that’s where the people were, and I didn’t want the overhead of a storefront. But I started getting more inquiries from people who wanted appointments between events, and I didn’t have anywhere to send them. When a small studio became available in the same building where I had already been hosting successful pop-ups, I found myself asking the same question I had asked when I started the business: “How many bracelets do I have to sell to pay for this?” Once I had my answer, I took the leap.
Now I have a place where clients can come for appointments or walk-ins, while I still travel to the pop-ups and collaborations that mean the most to me. I get to support my family, bring my daughter to work with me, serve my community, and collaborate with incredible women who lift each other up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not easy. It takes constant effort and consistency, especially in your first year. I’ve learned that when I get in a rut, sales go down. I don’t necessarily have to post every day or work around the clock, but I do have to show up consistently.
Figuring out what events to say yes to, which ones to say no to, and honestly how to say no without burning a bridge has been one of the biggest learning curves. When you’re new, you say yes to everything. People can give you advice, but what works great for one artist in one area might completely flop for me, and vice versa. I’ve spent three days at an event two hours from home, paid for a hotel, worn myself out, and barely broken even on something I thought was going to be a dream opportunity. Learning to protect my time and not overextend myself just to feel “busy” has been huge.
Managing money has also been a learning process. You can have an incredible sales month and still lose money if you’re constantly reinvesting or overspending. On the flip side, you can have a slower month and still be profitable. You have to know your numbers…which is hard when your business revolves around buying sparkly things!
I’ve also had to learn to stay in my own lane. It’s easy to get discouraged when another artist gets the pop-up you wanted or a business chooses someone else. But there are some incredibly talented permanent jewelry artists in my area, and I’ve learned there’s room for all of us. I focus on the things I can control: my education, my equipment, my standards, my inventory, and the experience I create for my clients. Collaboration will always get you further than competition.
And then there’s being a mom. Some days I wonder when my daughter last ate something that wasn’t mac and cheese, or when I last had something that wasn’t iced coffee! My house isn’t always clean, and balancing motherhood, marriage, business, ministry, and now preschool is a constant work in progress. I’ve learned that I can’t do everything every day. I try to start with the things that matter most and let the little things wait.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Desert Bloom Welds is more than just permanent jewelry. We offer a custom jewelry experience. And that’s more than just choosing a bracelet vs. an anklet, a clasped piece vs. permanent jewelry, or sterling silver vs. gold-filled.
From the moment you interact with my brand, I want you to feel relaxed, comfortable, and seen for who you are. Whether that’s a frazzled mom who hasn’t treated herself in months, a grandma hoping to create something that reminds her of her family, or two besties celebrating friendship and all the days to come, I’m here to help you create something meaningful and make you feel welcome.
Especially since opening my studio, I’ve loved the vibes of Walk-In Wednesdays. Clients come in just to check it out, and leave with memories, laughter, and a forever piece they’re completely in love with. On the outside, I offer permanent and custom high-quality jewelry that’s made to be worn every day. But what I really specialize in is creating a fun, relaxed, and empowering experience for women of all ages.
I feel like I’m known for being everyone’s hype girl. I take so much pride in the quality of my inventory, equipment, education, and overall experience. I pour myself into permanent jewelry education and business education so I can offer my clients the very best there is to offer. I don’t cut corners, I’m not willing to compromise when it comes to quality, and I have a warranty to back it up.
I also pour myself into my community, whether that’s the people I serve or the businesses I collaborate with. I’m a girl’s girl through and through. I genuinely want everyone to succeed. I want to hype you up, make sure you know you’re supported, and help create opportunities for all of us to grow. I truly believe everyone benefits through collaboration, kindness, and building each other up.
That’s what inspired me to go beyond Desert Bloom Welds and create She Blooms Market with my friend Ciana Simpson, owner of The MoCo List. We wanted to create a market by women, for women. Our first market in February was an amazing success that brought together female entrepreneurs of all kinds to create the ultimate girls’ day out. It wasn’t about personal profit for me, and it remains one of my greatest accomplishments. Watching women support one another, discover new businesses, and build real relationships reminded me exactly why I love what I do. I can’t wait for our next market on September 19th.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me began as something very simple: supporting my family by helping pay the bills. I didn’t have some dreamy “why” statement. I was practical. I wanted to contribute financially, stay home with my daughter, and do something that didn’t drain me.
Honestly, that’s still enough for me to call myself successful. I’m helping pay the bills, I’m staying home with my daughter (or bringing her to the studio with me, lol), and I love what I do more than I ever expected.
But somewhere along the way, success grew into something more. It’s creating something meaningful, whether that’s a special piece for a client, a collaboration with another local business, or an entire market that brings together everything women love. It’s putting a smile on someone’s face and going home with one on mine.
It’s also knowing I’m a kind person with a good heart and that I share that with others without hesitation, whether they’re my clients, another business owner, or someone in my community. If I can make people feel welcomed, supported, and celebrated, then I’m doing something worthwhile.
Of course I want Desert Bloom Welds to continue growing. I have big goals. But I never want to chase growth at the expense of the things that matter most. If my business grows while I’m still serving my clients well, supporting my community, and being the wife and mom I want to be, then I’ll consider myself successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://desertbloomweldstx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertbloomwelds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertbloomwelds
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@desertbloomwelds
