Today we’d like to introduce you to Janell Rowland.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Janell. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My name is Janell Rowland, and I started Clam & Clasp early in 2018. Clam & Clasp creates high-quality seashell jewelry that supports ocean conservation. I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean. I grew up in Southern California and remember going to the beach when I was a little girl and spending hours looking for shells while my sisters tried to convince me to come play with them. I even made my mom a pair of seashell earrings when I was ten years old, so I think my inspiration started at a very young age. As I grew older, I continued collecting seashells, and what started as a fun and exciting way to spend days at the beach slowly became a stress reliever, a source of joy, and access to moments in which I feel totally at ease.
In July of 2017, I watched the film Chasing Coral and was so moved by the message it relayed of the dangers facing our oceans. The moment I finished that film, I started researching ways I could get involved with ocean conservation. A couple months later, the idea that ten-year-old Janell had come back up. What better way to spread the word about ocean conservation than to create beautiful, wearable pieces that are literally a piece of the sea?
Clam & Clasp is my way of giving back to the ocean a small piece of what it has given me. I hope our jewelry will inspire wearers to speak for the sea and share the struggles facing our ocean and planet with others.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have definitely faced some challenges in starting this company. I quit my job at an advertising agency in December of 2017 so that I could focus on building this company full time. This is a self-funded company using my personal savings, and I am also currently a one-woman show, so I’ve had to manage many budget and time constraints.
I’ve taught myself and researched every aspect of starting this company, from managing inventory, to legal filings to accounting, and there have definitely been learning curves, which set back my launch date by almost 2 months.
I’ve also faced some logistical struggles, such as how to find quality seashells in large quantities that are sustainably sourced. I went through several vendors using different screening processes before I finally found suppliers that I was confident in and that provide quality shells in a timely manner.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Clam & Clasp – what should we know?
Clam & Clasp’s purpose is to speak for the sea and share its beautiful creations. My minimal and dainty jewelry designs are redefining seashell jewelry from tacky or kitschy pieces to beautiful, fine jewelry fit for everyday wear.
The products are handmade in California with 14K gold-plated, sustainably collected seashells. Customers can choose from different chain lengths and styles, as well as a variety of shell sizes, and can even make specific shell color requests to customize their jewelry. I do my best to find every customer the perfect shell.
Each piece is one-of-a-kind and tells the story of an ocean conservation initiative. 20% of profits from each purchase are donated to organizations focused on ocean conservation. One of our partner non-profit organizations is even focused on and located in San Diego – San Diego Coastkeeper.
Although the sound you hear when you put a seashell to your ear may not actually be the ocean, my hope is that each time someone wears their Clam & Clasp jewelry, the ocean’s story will be heard through one of its beautiful gifts.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
For me personally, I feel that my drive and passion for the mission that I have for the company is most important to my success. It’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed with daily stresses, but in those moments when I remind myself of my mission to make a positive impact and create a company that inspires others to make positive impacts as well, it helps me pull myself out of the rut and think about the big picture. Having a mission that I’m passionate about as my guiding principle has helped keep me motivated and level-headed, even on days when nothing seems to go according to plan.
For the company, I think to have a mission that customers can join in and feel a part of has been an important part of success. The uniqueness of the products and letting customers customize their piece by choosing their shell also creates a memorable experience. Having a piece of jewelry that is totally unique, is your own little piece of the sea, and supports a great cause is something that is really special.
Pricing:
- Necklaces range from $50-$58
- Bracelets are $48
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clamandclasp.com
- Phone: 6574643168
- Email: info@clamandclasp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clamandclasp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clamandclasp/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/clamandclasp
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/clamandclasp/overview/
Image Credit:
Toranj Noroozi Photography
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