Monday Spotlight: Simply Lovely Gifts

Meet the mom behind Simply Lovely Gifts!

Who is Simply Lovely Gifts? Where are you located?
Simply Lovely Gifts is a new online store featuring beautiful gifts for babies, girls, and Moms including genuine pearl jewelry, silver jewelry boxes, delightful frames, sterling silver rattles and more. All of our designs are by Simply Tiffany Taite who has quickly reached the top of the known children's jewelry and silver designers and has expanded into jewelry for teenagers and adults as well.

When and why did you decide to start your own business?
I just started my business in June. I had no intentions of doing anything like this when I began shopping for my daughter's 1st birthday present. I have two boys who turned 3 and 4 this summer so shopping for a girl has been a completely new experience for me. I realized that I should get her something sentimental for her first birthday so I sent a note to all of my friends seeking advice and suggestions. The overwhelming response was jewelry. I searched online (can't get out much because of the now 1, 3 and 4 year olds) and came across the Lulu pearl bracelet by Simply Tiffany Taite. Of course I fell in love with it so I ordered one. I decided to look at the Simply Tiffany Taite website and see what other products they carried and fell in love with the 4x6 pearlized frame and decided I just had to have that as well. The only problem was that I couldn't find it anywhere online and I really wanted it. They also had several other items that I wanted in the future for my daughter. So the wheels started churning and before I had even received my Lulu bracelet, I had a call in to Simply Tiffany Taite to see if they would consider allowing me to sell their products. I just thought if the products were more readily available, everyone would fall in love with them just like I did.



How did you get started?
Being an eBay shopper myself (got hooked when I was pregnant with my daughter & pre-bought TONS of clothes), I decided to start on eBay. I created a store there and got a lot of positive feedback about the products. Advertising capabilities and opportunities are more limited with eBay, so I decided to also establish a stand-alone store in July. It was ready to go by early August. I plan to continue operating on eBay, but will be focusing more efforts on the stand-alone store. I have several resources that I have relied heavily on and have already learned so much through this business.



What motivates you to keep your business going?
I just can't help thinking that other people will love these products as much as I do once they see them. Kind of like when you find a great deal and you call all of your friends to tell them about it, but of course, this is on a little bit larger scale :-) And, I absolutely LOVE getting emails from customers telling me how much they love the products. My favorite story thus far was when one Mom got her daughter the Lulu necklace for her "sweet 16" birthday. She said her daughter was surrounded by her friends and when she opened up the package, the room just fell silent. She said it was wonderful. Those kind of stories just make my day!


Do you have a new product/design you are featuring on your website?
The Lulu is always a favorite as is the sterling silver heart bracelet. My personal favorites are still the 4x6 pearlized frame, the Lulu, the Abigail pink pearl bracelet & necklace with clear crystals, but the Isabella bracelet & necklace and the Lacy necklace are quite beautiful. The Maggie bracelet & necklace, silver spoons, Polka Dot jewelry box, and silver & sterling rattles have all been big sellers while the Abigail white pearl with clear crystals is definitely beginning to take off.



How do you juggle family and work at home?
Life IS a bit crazy with all three of my kids being 4 and under. The boys are starting preschool this week, so I'm hoping to maximize the short time that they're gone each day while my daughter naps. For the days that they don't have school, I'll stay up late or wake up early as well as use any naptime that becomes available. I don't know what I'll do when they stop taking naps!!!


What advice would you give to moms seeking to become a WAHM?
Make sure you truly love your product. This is such an incredible learning experience, but it is also a lot of hard work, so you really have to believe in what you are doing.

Visit Simply Lovely Gifts at http://www.SimplyLovelyGifts.com