Good Morning!
Yes, I found that broken BBB link, and fixed it. All the links should be working now. Thanks for your help on that.
I do have some TPO photos on my site, with permission from the company. I also have posted some photos in the ring section that my wonderful young photographer and per diem assistant took and photoshopped for me (Leslie Roemer of Innovative Photography in Massachusetts).
Photo permissions are listed at the bottom of my home page.
Leslie will be doing (and learning) more as I purchase more stock to appeal to customer tastes and requests.
I'm a start up, and eternally grateful for the kind assistance with photography and photos, negotiated with my various suppliers and assistants. The cost savings has helped me grow my small business in a down economy.
I launched my website soon after receiving my Diploma from the GIA Graduate Pearls course. I took the final Pearls exam under the watchfull eye of a local attorney last spring, and the Pearl Lab took place at The Doubletree Hotel in Boston's Chinatown in June of 2008 (the food was terrible, but the Lab was great). I had inventory purchased and the site launched by August. Then the market crashed.
Not one to give up easily, I forged ahead (even through the ice storm last December, which forced me to temporarily run the business out of a hotel room -- and yes, I really did walk a few customers' holiday gifts through the snow to ensure on-time Christmas delivery.)
Eventually, I envision a website and a company with greater scope and independence in marketing and sales, though for now mutually supportive, informal business partnerships are working out well.
In addition to website sales from customers throughout the USA, I vend and participate in expos and tradeshows throughout Massachusetts, where I created and founded my company. This helps me to raise capital, restock, and pay overhead costs, including the cost of my site. Perhaps soon I can start to draw a small salary, too.
BTW, I wash all the pearl jewelry I sell in person in The Pearl Doctor. Perhaps this is why I have gained something of a local reputation for having the most beautiful pearls in the area. The fine work TPO and my other suppliers do in sourcing gorgeous stock certainly helps as well.
Also, I offer jewelry bridal showers, and private jewelry parties for corporations. I also vend at special events (such as fundraisers for the Dress for Success non-profit organization) on request. My company gives small donations to various charities, or donates a percentage of sales at fundraisers.
I do not engage in multi-level marketing or pressure customers to sell for me, but I do offer free gifts as incentives for party host, and for customers purchasing at various levels. I prefer an employer model, and now employ several wage-earning per diem employees who help me with my shows.
It's all about my customers and getting the word out about pearls and my business. I am working both the internet and local vending circuits to (with any luck) bootstrap my way to success within the next 3-5 years.
The feedback and comments received here are much appreciated.
