1. You Need More Than Pretty Products — You Need a Brand
I thought my designs would speak for themselves, but the truth is: the market is saturated. Branding is how you stand out.
Your aesthetic, tone of voice, product descriptions, packaging, and mission all matter. It’s what helps customers remember you and trust you.
Helpful resource:
2. Pricing Is an Art (and a Math Problem)
Underpricing will burn you out. Overpricing will scare away your audience. Your pricing should reflect:
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Cost of materials
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Your time (pay yourself!)
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Packaging and shipping
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Platform fees
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Profit margin
Start by using a formula like:
(Materials + Time) × 2 to 2.5 = Wholesale price
Wholesale × 2 = Retail price
3. Content Creation Is Part of the Job
No matter how good your product is, people won’t buy what they don’t see.
Reels, product photos, packing videos, behind the scenes, voiceovers — it’s all part of the process.
I learned that done is better than perfect. The more consistent I became, the more traffic I saw.
4. Not Everyone Will Support You — and That’s Okay
This one stung a little. Some friends and family won’t buy from you. Some won’t even acknowledge your business. But that doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.
Instead, focus on building a loyal community. The strangers who resonate with your story will become your biggest supporters.
5. Launches Take More Work Than You Think
You don’t just drop a product and hope it sells. You need a plan:
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Pre-launch teasers
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Email marketing
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Instagram countdowns
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Influencer seeding (if you can)
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Post-launch follow-ups
Give yourself 2–4 weeks to promote a launch — not just 1 day.
Final Thoughts
Running AVARA has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done — but it didn’t come without bumps. If you're thinking of starting a handmade business, do it. Just be ready for the learning curve.
Got more questions or want more behind-the-scenes content?
Follow me on Instagram @avarahandmadejewelry and check out our latest collection.