|
 Since I was very young, walking the beach and collecting treasures has been a favorite pastime. I began sharing my love of sea glass by crafting it into jewelry with basic wire wrap and leather cord, but over the years, developed it into a much more sophisticated line. Being a stay at home mom with twins, it was not until my children were school age that I began to nurture the idea of turning my favorite pastime into a business.
New to the business world, my first step was to contact the Loudoun Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which was instrumental in fulfilling my dream of becoming a successful small business owner. I began by attending the SBDC-sponsored “How to Start Your Own Small Business” seminar, where I met SBDC Executive Director Robin Suomi, who later provided one-on-one counseling on next steps and future goals and lots of encouragement. I took advantage of the resources made available to me through the SBDC and attended a number of other workshops and began the necessary paperwork for registering as a business in the
Commonwealth of
Virginia . After converting a room in my home into a studio, Uniquely Sea Glass officially became a woman-owned LLC on 13 February 2007.
In May, 2007, I hosted an official “launch” party to introduce the Uniquely Sea Glass line. That first year, I began showcasing my jewelry as a vendor at promotional events, local school fundraisers, home parties, and arts and crafts shows. Word soon got out, resulting in repeat business, new venue opportunities, and new customers who “had heard about the sea glass lady.” My jewelry is also now featured at gallery-type boutiques along the East Coast. Uniquely Sea Glass LLC is well on its way, I am doing what I love, I am sharing it with others, and I was sincerely honored to have been selected as a finalist for two 2008 Loudoun County Small Business of the Year Awards for Home-Based Small Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.
|
