Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Holmberg and Jessica Nicoles.
J. Stark started as a wallet company out of Erik’s apartment in 2014. He wanted to leave the tech industry and make things with his hands. After creating a wallet line and taking it to New York for a tradeshow he realized the market was saturated with small leather goods and pivoted the business into canvas and leather bags right there. Jess joined on in 2017 and helped open the retail shop/manufacturing hybrid. The shop serves as a community hub to help launch other small local brands.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think if you knew all the issues you’d run into when you start your own business, you probably would stay working for someone else. If you have your own business, you have to think of it as an infinite game with puzzles and problems to figure out almost daily. If you can celebrate the small victories along the way, there is a lot of fulfillment to be had.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with J. Stark – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in using heritage materials to create modern designed bags. We are most proud of creating high paying jobs for people to work with their hands. What sets us apart is our customer service, quality of materials and construction, and our custom program, which allows people to create a bag colorway that they have dreamed up.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our plans are to grow at a steady pace to create more jobs and hybrid retail shops in other cities that offer experiential retail. We hope to improve on our designs and manufacturing every day.
Contact Info:
- Address: 489 King St.
Suite 100 Charleston, SC 29403 - Website: https://starkmade.com
- Phone: 843-813-0433
- Email: info@starkmade.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jstark/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starkmade
Image Credit:
Photos by Erik Holmberg and Lizzy Ervin
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