Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Wells.
Stephanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all began in 2001. I had been living in Israel for 3 years and then backpacked through Ethiopia and India for four months before returning to San Diego to live.
I fell in love with jewelry and stones in Ethiopia and India. I met so many interesting people In my travels – a jeweler in Ethiopia who basically spun gold thread into beautiful filigree designs and a stone cutter in India who took huge sheets of stones – bigger then a dining room table, and cut it down into thousands of small faceted, glistening jewels . I was spellbound.
I continued my love of stones and jewelry back in the US where I purchased a bunch of turquoise, citrine, garnet beads – not because I knew what to do with them – I am self-taught, and had no experience when I began – but because the stones called to me.
I began playing around with the beads, with shape and color and created pieces for myself to wear. People began asking me to make jewelry for them and I started to realize I could make a living from doing this. My sister was living in NYC at the time (2001) and saw an opportunity for her to sell it there. To promote it, she applied as a volunteer cocktail waitress at a high profile fashion show. Her plan was to wear jewelry while serving. She sent them some pictures of the jewelry as another way to promote it. To both of our surprise, I was asked to be IN the runway show. At that show, we met celebrities, stylists, Neiman Marcus, editors and lots of other people in fashion, who became big supporters of the designs. Many doors opened for me in 2001.
Since 2001, Double Happiness was built into a company selling in over 500 stores worldwide. We have been in over 500 magazines, like InStyle, Harpers Bazaar, Vogue, etc and have had 50 magazine covers. We have been in hundreds of TV shows and we work with the worlds top stylists and photographers.
In 2010, I wrote The Earring Style Book published by Random House and in 2011, I designed for and co-hosted a TV show on Jewelry Television.
In 2013, after the birth of my two children, I slowed down, selling only to Anthropologie, Nicole Miller, and a few other large scale stores. I also opened my first retail space in Liberty Public Market in Point Loma.
Currently at my Liberty Public Market space, I have the freedom to sell one of a kind pieces, test out new designs or offer items at 50% below retail prices. I also sell clothing. I love being able to create a space that is fun and affordable. I meet people from all over the world and have even participated in a wedding at my booth of two random strangers who decided to buy a ring from me in the morning and come back in the afternoon with a friend who married them!
The name Double Happiness represents a karmic chain reaction. Our jewelry gets you noticed, often complimented. When you take that energy in, in turn, you share it with those around you – this positive energetic exchange is Double Happiness – making your world, and the world around you better, happier.
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?
There have always been and will always be obstacles and challenges. You just have to deal with them and move on.
My advice is to go slow, build systems, remember why you want to do this and love what you do,
In my opinion, the key to success is the systems built and maintained. You must have systems to manage all the data that comes with a company – customers, pricing, inventory, sales. And you must maintain them, even though they can be a bore.
If I were to offer any insight as to why I have been so blessed to do what I love for so long, I offer this – find a reason to love what you do. Make that reason the basis for everything. Running a business is not easy, there are systems to be created and maintained, which can be tedious and boring, but get it done because if you don’t, you won’t be able to actualize your dream. Honesty, integrity, professionalism is also part of it.
My basis or mantra is held in the belief that I can make things that make people feel strong, hopeful, beautiful and empowered. With this in mind, I remember to infuse everything with love and positive energy. I believe in energy, and see my designs and a chance to share it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Double Happiness Jewelry & Home – what should we know?
I think what sets Double Happiness apart is our unexpected use of materials, shape, and color.
We create interesting combinations using silk, leather, stones, metal, color, and shapes.
Our feel is organic and natural. All our items are made by hand and have a high-quality handcrafted look.
I love color, especially blue and green, and use lots of color in my designs.
Overall, our designs walk the line between on trend and unexpected. I think people look at the jewelry wanting to fall in love, wanting to be surprised. I think our jewelry does that, I think our jewelry excites.
I think our jewelry empowers. Our designs are unique and bold and well suited for the woman who has her own personal style and likes attention.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Pay attention. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep moving forward. Create systems. Love what you do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2820 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
- Website: www.doublehappinessjewelry.com
- Phone: 858-254-0007
- Email: sales@doublehappinessjewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublehappinessjewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoubleHappinessJewelry/
Image Credit:
Jared Wells, Daisy Mae PR
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