Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Dansby and Ashley Gentry.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ashley and I have been friends since grade school, we’ve always had a lot in common, growing up in a small town and really wanting to find our way in a bigger world. After high school we both moved off but stayed friends, and a lot of our friendship connection was the way we related to one another on not necessarily not “fitting in” in our small town but knowing that everything we knew growing up just wasn’t for us. We’ve both had executive level jobs in the corporate world, but we’ve also both been burned out on unfulfilled work culture, jobs, environment, etc. Ashey is an extremely fashionable girl, fashion makes her happy, and it’s a field she thrives in, for sure.
Myself, I love accessories, I would be perfectly content in an LBD everyday with fabulous accessories to change out and play with. The idea of playing with accessories makes me happy, there’s just something to the confidence that comes with boldness that you add to your day. So I reached out to Ashley, to see if she wanted to make our passions a thing. We both have experience with business development, we both appreciate the beauty of a couture piece, so why not? You’ll have to hear Ashley’s side as to where all of this come into play in her life, but for me, I was in a place of I want to accomplish this, not just for myself, I have a two-year-old daughter, I want her to see that if you’re not finding what you need in the world then you can create it.
I started imagining other young girls, young women who can relate to our story and “not fitting in” where they have been told they should always fit in, and I want to show these women, find your own space to fit in! And now it’s a mission to create a community of bold women who relate to a more independent lifestyle and want to accomplish their dreams this way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
NO!
Neither myself nor Ashley has ever started a business. If it wasn’t for Ashley and her knowledge and experience, I would have given up for sure. She has made sure all of our legal documents have been filed, all of our expenses have been marked… all of the unfun, but most important, things.
One of our statements from the beginning is that we will not cut corners, if we aren’t going to deliver the best to our customers, then we aren’t going to deliver. These women we are wanting to empower deserve the best we can give them. The world deserves the best we can give it. This means literally finding artisans from all over the world. We currently have pieces being hand beaded in India…. do you know how hard it is to find someone who can do this for you, and is the world’s best, and is across the globe??
The hardest struggle along the way is communicating across cultures. But it’s a learning experience so it is worth every challenge we have had there.
We know there are more challenges coming, we just haven’t crossed them yet, I’m excited to, that means things are moving and it means we are learning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Annet Chatoyer?
Our mission statement: By combining luxury and humanitarianism in all of our efforts, Annét Chatoyer strives to encourage the bold and unique character our client embodies and to empower creativity and inclusivity within our community. Our aim is to create a legacy that preserves the beauty that complements unapologetic self-expression and the complex dynamics that accompany the heart of authenticity.
Our brand was truly established to encourage the boldness and uniqueness that our customers embody. There is too much noise in the world that tells us not to be our authentic selves and to quiet down. We want to be the space that encourages you to live how you feel called to live. When our customer wears one of our pieces we want them to wear it because they know that we are in their corner to take on the day.
We know we have a long road ahead, but I want our customers to know that each piece is designed with the idea that our jewelry is made to be worn in the board room for a huge proposal, or on a first date to show their personality. We want our customers to grab our earrings when they know they have a big moment and they want to be on top of the world at that moment. A sense of invincibility that they may need in order to get to the top of their world.
I’m proud of that, I’m proud of our mission, and I’m proud of our vulnerability, and our perseverance and the community we are striving to build.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Don’t give up on your dream, Everything is figureoutable.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@annetchatoyer.com
- Website: Annetchatoyer.com
- Instagram: @annetchatoyer
