Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Linda Hattenbach, Founder of Revelry Designs, located in Lakewood, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Revelry Designs is a custom jewelry design company specializing primarily in collegiate jewelry. Jewelry that captures one's school spirit, allegiance, and pride, both on the part of the student attending and the proud parents who helped them along their journey. Revelry Designs caters to current university students, parents, and alumni. As well as anyone looking for a unique gift for a student in their lives. As a relatively new business, we have licenses to sell at eight universities across the country, the majority located in Colorado, where our business is based. We are adding schools all the time. However, we have several sororities, fraternities, brothers, sisters, parents, and regional pieces that will appeal to anyone at any school.

Tell us about yourself

The impetus for Revelry Designs came when my own daughter was getting close to graduating high school, and I was looking for something more unique and meaningful to give as a graduation gift. I saw that there were not a lot of options for good quality, affordable collegiate jewelry on the market. So, in a moment of madness, I decided to bring just such a product to the market and started Revelry Designs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I guess my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is actually starting my own business and, thus far, still having said business in business. Starting a jewelry design company is something in which I had absolutely no prior knowledge or experience. It was an incredibly steep learning curve, a daunting undertaking, and an extraordinary accomplishment to navigate each step.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Oh, the hiccups! They will happen, and often. There are many days when you feel like you have taken one step forward (if that) and three steps back (at least). Many things will go wrong on the path to getting it right. Convincing yourself to see the possibility of what could be is so hard.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Perseverance...It will take more than you think you can muster.
  2. Don't give in to the defeatist self-talk...You will think "I can't do it" on many occasions, don't listen to you!
  3. Go with your gut...I read an article by an owner who said some decisions in business come down to a feeling more than what might make the most "by the numbers" business sense. Much to my husband's dismay, I believe this. Just because it is not the best business decision doesn't mean it is not the best decision for your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://revelrydesigns.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Revelwithus/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revelrydesignsjewelry/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-hattenbach-9003aa25/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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