Jaclyn Elbaum

Always listen to the customer, and don’t take it personally. If they don’t like what you are doing, don’t force it! Move on.

 

Jaclyn Elbaum is the owner and designer of Love Audry Rose, a line of hand-made jewelry from Santa Monica, California. All of the jewelry is made with ethically sourced stones.

Where did the idea for Audry Rose come from?

I had always worked in fashion, but felt frustrated by the seasonality and how quickly things became “old”. I found myself drawn to the timelessness of jewelry, the stories that go back generations were always so exciting to me. When I grew the courage to actually start my own business, I knew creating an atmosphere for people to buy jewelry unlike anything they have seen before, was it. It felt natural to name the company Audry Rose, which pays homage to my grandmother, who passed down many of her pieces to me.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Once I am at my desk I usually will check emails and settle in for the first 30 minutes, next I go straight into photography. I feel most creative in the morning. The rest of my day is filled with answering e-mails, placing orders for new product, and editing all the photos taken for the day. Keeping my day structured and following a to-do list is what keeps me most productive, once I finish one project, I cross it off and it is on to the next one. I usually leave the office around 6PM and try to remain completely off the clock when at home and go into pure relaxation mode.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I am not the type of person to have an idea and not follow through. If it is a design idea, I will create some styles myself – or work with our designers to bring an idea to life. If it is a feature for our website I will discuss it with the team, and once the idea is finalized – send it to our developers to make it a reality.

What’s one trend that excites you?

We are seeing more statement pieces again. While I love a good ring stack, if you see from our Instagram, it really is my favorite thing. It feels refreshing to also have one statement piece. I am starting to see more and more of this from designers, and can see the customers gravitating towards it as well.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

My ability to stay focused on the task. I may not work the 80-100 hour weeks, but when I am at my desk I am laser focused and getting work done.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be so scared, and who cares if no one believes in you.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Everyone thinks starting your own company should be really difficult, if it’s too hard, it probably means you are in the wrong business. Yes, you should be working hard, but you should be seeing reward for the work you put in.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Always listen to the customer, and don’t take it personally. If they don’t like what you are doing, don’t force it! Move on.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Focus on customers. I know it sounds over simple, but there isn’t much more to it then that. If you are constantly working to impress and service your customers, in the long run you will steer your business in the right direction.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

You’re constantly failing as an entrepreneur. I think if you aren’t failing you aren’t moving forward. You just have to evaluate each opportunity. There is no generic answer to this one, in business the risk of spreading yourself to thin is real, and you just have to watch out for it.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Well – you will probably laugh, but one thing I have always wanted to do was open a store filled with dolls dressed and styled from head to toe, then you can just go in and purchase the full look, rather than figure out what goes with what. The work is done for you.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Dinner at Barrique with my husband. It is a restaurant in Venice in a small home. It is one of the only restaurants we can sit in and talk for hours, and actually relax. The people are wonderful, the food and the wine is amazing.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Light Room and Photoshop. Without them our website would not look nearly as good. Out company survives on good content and our images are everything. So being able to use Light Room and Photoshop has helped us tremendously

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“Sapiens”. It is one of the most thought provoking books I have read in a while.

What is your favorite quote?

“When you doubt your power you give power to your doubts”

Key learnings:

• Make every hour spent at your desk productive. If you aren’t being productive, get up and do something else, or head home and relax!
• Make a routine. Early on its ok to adjust it while you figure out what works for you, but once you have it down, stick to it. It allows you to focus your brainpower on your work.
• Focus on your customers.
• Read Sapiens. It may not help your business take off tomorrow, but it reminds you to keep an open mind.

Connect:

www.loveaudryrose.com
Love Audry Rose on Instagram: www.instagram.com/loveaudryrose
Love Audry Rose on Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveaudryrose