Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Eberhard Erger.
Erin Eberhard, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always loved painting, crafting and making things ever since I was a little girl. I had always wanted to try making different types of jewelry but haven’t ever had the time to sit down and figure out the process and materials needed to make jewelry or to start a small business. I was born and raised in Louisiana where I went to LSU for undergraduate and Loyola in New Orleans for law school. After I finished law school and took bar exams, I finally had some time to try out jewelry making! I never wanted to really try any of this until I had a little time to devote to it! Therefore, in June 2017, I began experimenting with jewelry making by crafting my first earring, the tassel earring. I had always seen various type of this earring in boutiques and chain clothing stores but the price was always way more expensive than I wanted to spend on them. So, I went to the Michael’s near my house to look for earring materials and one thing led to another and the tassel earring was made! I then began wearing these earrings out and about and would always get compliments on them from friends and family. Therefore, I decided to open an Etsy shop, Charming Magnolia Shop! I figured I would give selling them a try and see if people were actually interested in purchasing the earrings or just giving me a sweet compliment. So, my sister and I used her Canon camera to take pictures of my jewelry as well as she and I are the usual models in the pictures on my Etsy page and instagram account. I felt that if I was going to get people interested in these earrings, what better way than to see them on the person. Sometimes, I would post a picture with either me or my sister with the earrings or necklaces on and within 10 minutes would have a purchase of that item.
So, from my first earring to now, I have added numerous other earrings, as well as some, necklaces with over 20 options of jewelry for purchase and one of the best features of my shop is that all the shipping is free! It’s almost like going to the store and buying the earrings except, these get delivered straight to your door. So, from the time my Etsy store officially opened in August 2017 until now, I’ve had over 300 purchases of various earrings and necklaces through my site, in person, as well as sales to multiple boutiques across Louisiana and Mississippi.
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I have had any major struggles but more so challenges because everything in this arena is so new to me. One challenge has been getting my jewelry out there! I have learned how crucial social media is in people finding your product. There are many aspiring entrepreneurs out there and I try to set myself apart from others with my jewelry designs and my social media presence. I have an instagram page, charming.magnolia, which is where many of the boutiques who have purchased items for their store have found me as well as individuals. I try to post pictures of some jewelry every day or a funny saying. I have never liked seeing places that are constantly saying “buy my product”. So, I try to keep the posts under the picture funny and sometimes informative about jewelry without being that person saying “go buy this now!” I have noticed that the quality of the picture and staging of the earrings can go a long way in making your earrings look even better by showing the details of the pieces. But honestly, I still don’t think pictures do justice to some of the pieces I have!
The advice I would give to young women starting their journey to entrepreneurship is to just go for it! I wish I would have honestly started sooner and I am not even that old. I have learned so much along the way, such as the social media aspect and the legal aspect of filing with the state of Texas your business. It has been a fun learning process and I think it is something that like with many things, you can only learn when you are actually doing it. So, if you have an idea and want to start a business to see if people will like your product, do it! Because otherwise, you may never know otherwise. It can take awhile to build a business but I would like to hope that a few years from now, I have grown my business significantly!
We’d love to hear more about Charming Magnolia.
I believe that I have unique and one of a kind handmade jewelry that can be worn for any occasion. I specialize in affordable jewelry that is lightweight on the ear and stylish. I sell tassel earrings, fringe earrings, and hoop earrings with glass beads. I also have necklaces with beautiful gems and arrowheads, as well as tassel necklaces! I believe what sets me apart from others is my customer service and accessibility. I ship out my orders in 1-3 business days and if anyone ever has any questions about anything, I am always able to answer quickly as well as if there are any problems with any orders.
I am most proud of how popular some of my earrings have become and these earrings came from ideas I had and in my head or inspiration from earrings I had seen. I never know if an earring is going to take off and people are going to want to buy them or if they will be a flop and no one buys them. But surprisingly, almost all of the earrings I have posted have been received really well! So, I would say I am most proud of the fact that the styles I like resonate with others so well in fact, that they want to buy some from me, a little small jewelry business!
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it was one experience growing up that played an outside role in setting me up for success later in life but a culmination of a supporting family and my drive to give something my all at anything I set out to achieve. Reputation is everything when it comes to a business, or even when you have a job. You don’t want to be remembered as being lazy or only doing your job half-heartedly so no matter what I have done, no matter how big or small, I want to be remembered as one who did it well!
Pricing:
- Most earrings are under $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CharmingMagnoliaShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
- Phone: 832-953-4514
- Email: charmingmagnoliashop@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charming.magnolia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charmingmagnoliashop/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharmingMagShop
Image Credit:
Rachel Eberhard, Diana Eberhard, Rob Erger
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
