Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Turner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always been a creative person that loves fashion. When I was in college, beaded jewelry became extremely popular, but it was so expensive. My mom took a jewelry-making class around the same time and came home and taught me so that I could make my own beaded jewelry. We made jewelry together as a hobby, but my friends quickly started requesting my designs. I started by giving away necklaces as gifts, but the demand grew! I started an Etsy and an Instagram and had no idea what I was doing. I sat in my college apartment stringing beads all hours of the night and selling them to my sorority sisters. The power of social media connected me with some really great people as well as local businesses, and I started doing pop-ups in the area, as well as wholesaling to boutiques. Georgia Gypsy was my full-time job all throughout college and grad school, where I actually studied merchandising and wrote my thesis on the power of Pop-Up Shops (full circle moment). As grad school graduation approached, I was hit with the societal pressure to get a “big girl job” with “benefits and insurance”. I started my career with Gucci while keeping Georgia Gypsy running. Although working for a company like Gucci was my dream job, I knew deep down in my heart of hearts that Georgia Gypsy was my heart and soul and that working for myself was what truly made me happy. After 4 years with Gucci, I transitioned to a corporate career where I was abruptly laid off with zero warning. It was truly a “sink or swim” moment, and I threw my all into my business. I knew that God had been giving me signs that I needed to work for myself 100% again, but this time, he was literally screaming at me to pick my dreams back up and go for it. I now work 100% for myself, and I am the happiest I have ever been. While Georgia Gypsy originally started as a jewelry-only line, I wanted to expand. I am a UGA alumni, Go Dawgs! and I always wanted cute red accessories to pair with simple black and white outfits for gameday. This is when I got the idea to expand my line to hats, and to create a cute and sporty Georgia ball cap that could be worn from gameday to the gym to vacation and everywhere in between. I was also getting married in Athens last fall, so I thought, what better way to kick off Georgia Gypsy’s hat launch than at my wedding in beautiful Athens, GA? So, I designed the hats, had them made, and threw them out at our wedding reception. The response was incredible. We sold out within an hour on our first launch and within 5 minutes on our second. It reignited the flame I had 8 years ago when I was a sophomore sitting in my college apartment googling “how to make a website for my small business” and reminded me that I was on the right path. As of today, Georgia Gypsy has expanded to not only jewelry but also Georgia hats, Atlanta hats, and who knows what’s next. But it feels so good to put my heart and soul into my business and create something I love every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not, but that’s the beauty in entrepreneurship. I started my business back in 2015 before there were tons of E-courses on how to become an entrepreneur. I didn’t have investors; I had 2 years down in business school and Google. I started before I knew what I was doing, but I learned as I went. I think this is the best way to do it. If you have an idea, JUST START. You will learn, and you will figure it out. And if you don’t give up, eventually, you will succeed.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My business is The Georgia Gypsy, and I am the founder. I am the designer, the shipping department, the social media manager, the content creator, etc. When you order from me, you will receive an item that I have designed and put together myself, packed myself, and shipped myself. I have no employees besides myself. I am known for my high-quality, affordable jewelry. Every piece is gold-plated stainless steel or sterling silver and highly tarnish-resistant. Most recently, we are known for our Georgia-based hat collection. If you want to rep Atlanta or UGA, we are your one-stop shop. I am most proud of my grit and grind and my resilience. I started a business before starting a business was the cool thing to do, and I figured it all out on my own. I’m proud of the community that I have built. I am proud that I never gave up my dream, even when I was working for someone else. I’m proud that I kept going.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom deserves so much credit. She truly started this hobby that turned into a business. She taught me how to make jewelry! She went all around town with me to every bead store and was always so supportive. This was our thing we had, and it is so special that now I’ve been able to turn it into my full-time business. My dad also deserves so much credit for teaching me the importance of work ethic. He didn’t just preach it, but he practiced it as well. He was a great example of how hard work and dedication will pay off. And last but definitely not least, my husband. I actually knew him way before we dated; he was my brother’s best friend. Back before we even started dating, he would come to my pop-up shops to support. He’s been there from the very beginning, and he picked me up when I was laid off from the corporate world and encouraged me to dive headfirst into my business. He is the greatest supporter and cheerleader I could ever ask for.
Pricing:
- All items are under 50 dollars, most under 40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegeorgiagypsy.com/
- Instagram: Thegeorgiagypsy
Image Credits
Logan Simmons Photography
