Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Watson.
Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Studio Art, I moved to Boston to explore a city on the opposite coast. I started working as a stage manager in a local comedy theater and eventually took a summer job in the wardrobe department of Cirque Du Soleil. Jewelry was a hobby at the time but a few performers asked about the jewelry I was wearing and it was to them I sold my first pieces.
Eventually, I landed back in California where I launched my company, which is in its 11th year of business. I grew Mimi & Lu from a single sale to a co-worker in Cirque Du Soleil to a brand that has been sold to thousands of customers nationally and internationally and has been seen in various media outlets such as People Magazine and The Zoe Report, and doing so without formal experience or training in jewelry-making, business, fashion or retail. I run Mimi & Lu, with the help of my staff, in downtown San Diego.
I recently launched a platform called Dream Driven, which is roundtable mastermind event for local business owners, to provide a place for entrepreneurs to work directly on their business with advice from their peers.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have yet to meet a business owner who has a path without bumps in the road. Most will tell you it’s a roller coaster and I cant say my experience has been any different. My struggles usually centered around taking bigger risks and the unknown, which is a huge part of growing a business. However, my largest struggle was navigating my way in the business after my young son was diagnosed with Leukemia in July of 2017.
I, essentially, stepped out of Mimi & Lu for 6-8 months and depended on those who worked for me to keep it going. The road during that time was not smooth but I learned that my work the previous years to make (most) of Mimi & Lu operationally independent from myself helped us get through this time. It allowed the business to run without me, thanks to that planning and my incredible staff…
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mimi & Lu – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Mimi & Lu creates delicate, layering jewelry which includes rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. We also make a selection of accessories, such as key rings. Most of the merchandise is manufactured in our San Diego studio. We specialize in items that can be worn alone or stacked together to create a bolder or more boho look. The line is, for the most part, season-less so it is ideal for year-round wear. We are known for our distinctly delicate designs that fans use as their everyday jewelry piece.
As a company, I am proud that we have had significant growth year after year in an industry that is jam-packed. I went into jewelry because it was small, creative and I enjoyed making it but didn’t consider just how many others were also making and selling jewelry. It’s a competitive space. We set ourselves apart by being genuine and true to ourselves. We place value on customer connection, professionalism, branding, accessibility and integrity.
We consider our brand playfully chic- we love an effortlessly chic lifestyle, but don’t take ourselves too seriously.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our plans for the future include branching our sales out to a wider audience. We are concentrated on the West Coast and look forward to covering a broader space. We also have an opportunity on the table to expand into specific international territories, so that is something we are currently considering. Recently, Mimi & Lu launched our Ready to Wear collection, which is hand-picked pieces that are ready to gift and ready to wear. This collection will be expanding in the coming months.
The biggest plan, personally, is to continue to expand and grow Dream Driven. I enjoy giving back by sharing my experiences and advice with other business owners and it is a platform I am passionate about. I look forward to meeting more business owners at our roundtables this year.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mimiandlu.com / www.daydreamdriven.com
- Email: hello@mimiandlu.com
Image Credit:
Becca Batista
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