In the hectic halls of university life, where textbooks and lecture notes often take center stage, it’s easy to overlook the hidden talents and entrepreneurial spirit of students. However, for Mackenzie Deane, her passion for creativity has led her to carve out a unique niche in the world of entrepreneurship, selling jewelry.
Mackenzie Deane, a junior business major with a concentration in marketing, has always had a knack for creating beautiful and intricate pieces of jewelry.
“I started off making earrings with my mom. She taught me how to bead and wire wrap when I was younger. [Now] I mainly make a lot of wire-wrapped crystal jewelry, I do a lot of earrings. I basically make any kind of jewelry you can think of. Gold, silver, studs, and dangles [too],” Deane says.
What started as a hobby during the pandemic quickly blossomed into a full-fledged business venture.
“I’ve been making jewelry since I was about 7 years old. I kind of re-found jewelry-making over the pandemic and kind of just obsessed over it and it took up my life, that’s when I made ‘The Happy Red Head Shop’”, she says.
Driven by a desire to share her handiwork with others, Deane decided to bring her jewelry to local fairs and home shows to find a new home for her creations.
After developing her business, she created an online platform to sell jewelry, allowing her to reach a wider range of customers on social media.
“It was easier to link content with the jewelry that I make. [Now] I sell on TikTok shop, shoppers can buy directly from my videos which makes it easier for me to market my jewelry. I opened up my shop about a year ago, making most of my sales there,” Deane says.
As word of mouth spread and social media buzz grew, Deane’s jewelry business began to flourish.
“I’ve gotten scouted out as a vendor; people reach out to me. That has really said something about where my business has grown from,” she says.
Deane says her customers are usually satisfied with her quality products. Senior biology major, Surya Padian includes these statements from her experience buying from Deane.
“I bought my bracelets from her during a girl’s night out where she brought some of her products. The process was quick, and she knows what her customers want and might be looking for,” says Pandian.
Pandian also remarks that Deane’s attention to detail and extensive knowledge about the materials she uses sets her jewelry apart from other big companies. She says Deane made the experience welcoming by sparking a conversation about the products.
“She showed us some of her bracelets and charms that went on each one,” says Pandian. “[Deane explained] what type of crystals she used and what some of the unique choice of charms she used meant to her when she was putting together her jewelry.”
Pandian says that quality customer service is Deane’s main goal in her small business.
“Mackenzie is an understanding seller; she supports the customer’s choice and encourages them to seek what might be best for each individual. I would definitely buy from Mackenzie again just so I have a bracelet to wear with any of my outfit choices,” she says.
However, what sets her creations apart is not just quality craftsmanship and customer service, but also the responsibility behind each piece. Deane is passionate about sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring that her materials are environmentally friendly.
“I drive about an hour away just to buy my beads from a shop that humanely sources their beads. I make sure that I find the crystals that are the most humanely sourced. I try to get the best quality products for my customers,” Deane says.
Deane says her passion to create jewelry stems from her love for all art forms. She says she dabbles in everything from painting, sculpting and photography.
She says that although the business has been a fulfilling experience, it comes with its fair share of challenges.
“It can be difficult to stand out apart from other jewelers at markets, art shows and craft shows. [It] depend[s] on the uniqueness of the product that you sell,” she says.
Despite the challenges that come with running a business, Deane found a way to connect with customers and combat these difficulties.
“I really think that I persuade my customers with my personality, being able to communicate with them and actually make a personal connection with them so that they come back and become a repeat buyer. I try to be as authentic as I can be on social media, I think this helps create a bond,” she says.
Whether it is a simple pair of earrings for everyday wear or an elegant necklace for a special occasion, each piece carries with it a story – a testament to Deane’s passion, creativity and unwavering dedication.
As she continues to pursue her dreams, Deane stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“It does seem intimidating starting your own business, I feel like as long your head is in the right direction, you can definitely succeed,” she says.
