Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Ellis.
Hi Crystal , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
After being persuaded by a friend to attend Oprah’s “The Life You Want” Tour, I started to critically think about my passions. It had been a rough year in 2014, where I questioned my career successes as well as my upcoming milestone birthday and accomplishments to date. For my happiness, it was time to do things that created a path that would ultimately have a positive and lasting effect on my life. And the journey all started with a shopping trip (of course.) For years, I had loved wearing the beautiful stones bracelets I purchased from a high-end retailer and a recent purchase of a black onyx bracelet somehow subconsciously kept revisiting me in my dreams. For two nights, theses powerful thoughts of designing and making the bracelets myself pushed through my subconscious to actually wake me at 3 am. So, on the 3rd morning I decided to visit a local beading shop and sign up for a beginner’s beading class. Of course, by the time I attended the class I was already collected lots of pretty semi-precious and precious gemstones and making some on my own. The bracelets were to be Christmas gifts to my friends and family however with me not being able to keep secrets very well, I started to show my friend’s their “gifts.” They loved them and prompted me to sell them but who would buy them……3 weeks later I made my first sale! A week later, the virtual doors of B.Birdwatcher Spiritual Stones opened !
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Entrepreneurship is tough but I have always said that it’s the best, most fulfilling tired you will ever feel. The biggest struggle so far has been continuing to work a traditional 9 to 5 job then filling my weekends with events to sell my gemstones. Prior to the CoVID-19 pandemic, I missed a lot of family functions, friend’s birthdays, and other important celebrations because I had to work my gemstone business. The down time during 2020 taught me that I have to create a balance and rely a bit more on my website, www.bbirdwatcher.com. I have also struggled to ask for help and hire a team to take some of the stresses away of setting up and manning a mobile shopping experience just to take it all down a few hours later. But, I look at all the hurdles are gained expertise which I love to pass on to other budding entrepreneurs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in blending high-end gemstones and their metaphysical chakra meanings together for the eco-chic fashionista. Not only do I use beautifully, rare gemstones, I like to teach my customers about the gemstone’s historical meanings in hopes to find the perfect gemstone for that customer’s personality, aura, or needs. I’m known for creating a very zen-like shopping experience where smiles as well as tears are shed. I’m really proud of the fact that my customers not only come to me for a specialized shopping experience but also that they trust me enough to share some of their more touching stories and moments with me. I do believe that sets me apart in business.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would not be here if it wasn’t for my friends who told me that I had a talent and eye for putting together beautiful pieces that would actually sell. They were the first to purchase when I wanted to just gift them as presents and to this day; six years later, they still come out and shop my collection. I would also give a lot of credit to the yoga community who truly embraced me when I was just starting out in 2015 and invited me sell inside their shops and at their festivals.
Pricing:
- Prices Start at $25 – $300
Contact Info:
- Email: bbirdwatchergems@gmail.com
- Website: www.bbirdwatcher.com
- Instagram: @bbirdwatcher
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bbirdwatcherspiritualstones
- Twitter: @b_birdwatcher
