Thanks to Tracy & Robin from Flourish & Thrive Academy, I have taken my first spontaneous action step in creating this blog. I am definitely out of my comfort zone since I've never even left a comment on a blog before. I prefer to stay in the background. Anyway, they are generously offering a scholarship to their course, Laying The Foundation and I'm hoping to win them over with my story.
My name is Eleni Andreadis and I’m a Jewelry Designer. Wow, that felt good to say because my business has been on the back burner forever. For the past 20 years, I have chosen to be a full time mom. I have juggled 3- 4 part time jobs and a part time jewelry business around my kids; struggling just to pay my bills. In June, my youngest son will be graduating high school and I'll be out of my full time job as Mom.
Today My Jewelry Business is about starting over. I’m
on a mission to discover my “true” jewelry design identity. Over the years, I
have created pieces that I could sell at local craft shows and home parties to
generate immediate cash to contribute to our income. My styles have been all
over the place from collage to sentimental; guessing at what designs I think would bring
me the greatest income; while trying to stay true to myself. I have had some
sales and gotten interest and positive comments for my designs. However, not
enough people buy to call myself successful or quit my other jobs.
My Greatest Struggles revolve
around reinventing myself and my business; independent of being a Mom. I know
where I want to go, but have no clue how to get there. I’ve never really had the time, money or
guidance to spend on product development. I’ve lived from paycheck to paycheck
creating the designs I could in between. I think I know what I want to make, who I want
to sell to and how I want to do it; but self-doubt prevents me from taking
action. I’m insecure about my business decisions, afraid that I don’t have the
right resources to pull “it” off and my limiting beliefs are having a field day;
not to mention the money issues.
My Vision is to create a
line of jewelry that uses words, sayings, images and colors to bring hope,
encouragement, and laughter into women’s lives. I want to design pieces that
help women celebrate who they are and what’s important to them. I’ve had a lot
of struggles and obstacles in my life and it has always been my faith, family,
friends and positive words that have gotten me through. I want my products to reflect
those ideals.
I would love to create an interactive website community
where women could design, be inspired and use my products to connect with
themselves and others .I want my products to be customizable from selecting
quotes, to colors, to patterns and more. This type of personalization,
self-expression and creativity are a key foundation for my business model. To
me, it’s all about giving back what I have been given; love, hope, faith and a
sense of humor in the toughest of times.
My greatest dream is to create something I love
that would bless other women and enable me to be financially successful, all at
the same time. I would like to grow a
business that would incorporate finished products, workshops and community.
