Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Franso.
Hi Holly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
At a very young age, I knew I was going to be my own boss. I noticed that I didn’t care to keep a 9-5 or to be inside of any building for long periods of time. I am an artist and I firmly believe in doing what you love is more important than doing something because it pays well. I remember people would ask me why I couldn’t “keep a job” as if it was a bad thing. The longest job I kept was at MAC cosmetics because it allowed me to be artistic. As soon as I found out that my sales were more important than my skill set, I quit. I knew I loved to express myself through art and I knew I loved to make people feel good about themselves. So, I started doing henna tattoos at the ocean beach farmer’s market. I didn’t know that henna was going to open up doors I never imagined would open. Little did I know that the start of my crystal nose ring business and the seed to tattooing career was planted and about to begin. It was as simple as me wanting to wear a hoop nose ring. I sitting at the market waiting for my next henna client thinking to myself, “I want something different. So, I’m just going to make my own”. So, I walked into the local bead shop and asked the owner for a gold wire that I could string a couple of crystals I found. I literally made the nose ring at the shop and walked out with it on. I sat back down at my farmers market booth and took my next customer. Then it sparked! Within just minutes, someone walking by asked me “where did you get your nose ring?” I told her I made it. She asked me to make her one so I said sure why not, just pay for the cost of supplies. The domino effect began as more and more people saw my nose ring and wanted one for themselves. Every Wednesday new people came to the farmers market just to find me and to ask me to make one for them. I built my own display case for my nose rings and started selling them at my booth. 9 years later, I have an online store where I ship globally and I am in store in 3 different locations.
Alright, 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?
Definitely not a smooth road. I had to learn how to run an entire business. I am the creator, the merchandiser, the packer, the shipper, the customer service rep, and the financial accountant. I had to learn how to price my art without overcharging or being underpaid. I even stumbled across someone who tried to steal my idea. Luckily, my customers are like my extended family members and they helped me put that fire out. I also learned the very hard way, that there are slow seasons and that I needed to budget during the winter.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Assyrian Creations is my dream business come true. I hand-make nose rings using real crystals and stones. But it’s more than a nose ring. There’s a message behind what I do. With social media completely becoming a place that susceptible to bullying, unhealthy expectations, and comparing ourselves to others, I wanted to use to my nose ring as a symbol rather than just a piece of jewelry. I want people to have a gentle reminder that is literally in their face. That when they look in the mirror or a selfie screen, they see that they are perfect just the way they are and to be yourself bravely. To know that the differences you have are what make you special. That there’s no one like you and that is to be celebrated. I use to be made fun of all my childhood for being different. That is what Assyrian Creations is all about. I also love that my nose rings brings people together! Anytime someone runs into someone wearing one of my pieces it’s always a sweet exchange of smiles and conversation! When you come across someone with a nose piercing, just take a second to look and see if you spot an AC Nose Ring. On another note, after doing henna tattoos for 8 years, I began my tattooing career. Everyone noticed my steady hand and my capability of creating eccentric designs freehand. I decided to take my art from temporary to permanent. Tattooing has been such a joy in my life. I compare it to the feeling of being baptized. Every time
I tattoo, I am doing something that brings me more life… as if I just dove into the ocean and come out of each tattoo session renewed and happy. Tattooing is another opportunity to create art, make someone happy, and to carry conversations about life. I started tattooing in 2019. I now have my own studio. I specialize in stipple shading, sacred geometry, and henna-style designs. Both my business allow me to create my own schedule which gift me time with my 1-year-old daughter Leiko Savaii. Of course, the money I earn helps keep a roof over her head and food in her tummy but most importantly, allows me to give her the experience and quality of life I have dreamed of giving her. I want to travel the world with her one day and explore nature together.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I use to live in the streets when I was a kid. After my parents divorced when I was only 7, my life dramatically changed and I went through things a little girl should have never experienced. I was always moving around from school to school so I was always the new girl. Which is why I was bullied so much. I didn’t have a sense of belonging to any group of friends because I was always leaving anyway. It was only when I was living out of the super 8 motel in El Cajon, my only friend Reina and her parents took notice of my rough life. I was ditching school a lot and not having a normal childhood. Reinas parents, Doreen and Jerry, offered my mom to take care of me until she could get herself back on her feet. They gave me my own room, rides to and from school, and even an allowance. Something I didn’t have for a very long time. They are still my family and I will never forget the love they gave me at the fragile stage of life I was in.
Pricing:
- 50 For sterling silver nose rings
- 50-60 For gold nose rings
- $180 hourly for tattoo appointments
- $100 minimum
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Hollyfranso @assyriancreations @hollywatertattoo
Image Credits
@__jojoooo.em
@sterlinggold
