Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa McKinzie.
Alyssa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Living Lyss Jewelry started because of a small bet and a lot of heart. I started the company while still in college at Texas A&M and originally intended the jewelry to be for myself and some friends. It wasn’t until over a year after taking that step, that I realized I genuinely loved creating unique pieces for other people.
I began selling with the intentions of bringing high quality, culturally driven products, at a price everyone can afford. I wanted all people, in all age ranges and circumstances to be able to purchase a piece of jewelry that helped others in need.
Driven by spirit and wanderlust, Living Lyss Jewelry hopes every piece encourages you to create and make your own dreams. You are worthy and capable to do whatever you want in life and we hope you never forget that.
I hope that through this company, I can learn more about people, understand what truly makes others come alive and share their stories through our pieces. Creating jewelry has always inspired and encouraged me because it only unveils the intrinsic beauty each person wearing it has. I’m privileged to get to meet, talk with and use my passions to create a community that changes your mindset, challenges your thoughts and encourages compassion in every single piece of jewelry sold.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Trust your gut, end of story.
I struggled with believing in myself for quite some time because I would continually compare my products and ideas to others who were already well established. Word to the wise, don’t pay attention to other people. The most important and amazing aspect of being a creator and business owner is the fact that YOU are the person that makes your company special. There’s only one you in the world, so why would you expect to be judged by another person’s standard based on their own abilities.
It takes passion, and I mean TRUE passion. I have a full-time job from 9:00-5:00 pm, so finding time to create pieces, cultivate relationships, and ship out orders can be hard. It’s the passion I have for my jewelry, for the people purchasing it that encourages me to keep on keeping on. Most nights a week I’m up until 2:00 am creating and thinking about ways I can make my company better. With all that being said, it can be overwhelming, you will doubt yourself at a time and there will be periods when you question whether it’s worth it or not. I want you to know that it is worth it. Your dreams are worth it. Day after day, put in the work, take chances on new opportunities and believe in yourself because if you have a great product driven by spirit and the desire to become better, you will no doubt be successful.
what should we know about Living Lyss Jewelry? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I create jewelry. I know that sounds so cliche, and I hate the stigma jewelry creators have nowadays. Honestly, I’m most proud of the community of people I have met doing what I love. I have met people who have been challenged in ways I couldn’t imagine and experienced things, I never have and that’s the most exciting part of my job!
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light. –Vera Nazarian
Some of my favorite podcasts are:
Mackey Speaks Leadership Journal
Gary Vee Podcast
How I Built This
Books:
All of the Light We Cannot See
Between the World and Me
Tribe of Mentors
Screwtape Letters
Contact Info:
- Website: www.livinglyssjewelry.com
- Phone: 713-295-1611
- Email: livinglyssjewelry@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinglyssjewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livinglyssjewelry/
Image Credit:
Collin McKinzie, Brandy Anderson, Mikal Wright
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.
