Meet ADK Jewelry
FOUNDED BY
THE INTERVIEW
Written by Boston Women’s Market & Alex Kavanagh
BWM: Can you tell us a bit about what led you to begin your journey with your business? Was there an aha! Moment?
Alex Kavanagh: In my corporate role I work as an Airport Civil Engineer which is (for good reason) a very regimented and controlled industry. I was working on a Runway Construction and some of the materials being used for the subgrade contained (what I thought was) a pretty crystal rock. I took a couple of pieces (from the excess material) home from the site, and convinced myself I could use it for material in jewelry.
The first challenge was crushing the rock into jewelry sized pieces, which was achieved by wrapping the rocks in a dish towel, placing them on a concrete step in the backyard and smashing a hammer against it (for what felt like hours).
I was living in Somerville at the time, andI had some creative housemates who knew how to wire wrap jewelry. I told them that if that taught me how to wire wrap they could have half of the crystal rock from the Runway. We exchanged services/goods and I continued to practice.
After a while my housemate stuck her head in my door and asked what I was going to do with all the necklaces I had made, followed by a suggestion to try and sell some. I found a craft market in Lexington where I stood in a park and sold 17 necklaces. That day, people told me how creative they thought it was and it felt so good to have positive feedback.
Since then, growing ADK Jewelry as a business has allowed me an outlet for my creative energy which I had been missing in my work. I love that something I make with my hands makes people smile or when I do a market day and if a visitor walks by and says “Soooo cute!!!”.
Although not one specific “Aha!” moment, there were multiple moments that kept pushing me in a certain direction and I just tried to listen to what they were telling me and things really took off.
BWM: For many women starting out in the entrepreneurial world, there can be a lot of self-doubt. Do you have any personal stories about how you conquered self-doubt? What guidance would you give to others?
Alex: I don’t know if any of us really ever conquer self doubt. It has been present for me my entire life. I have found not telling people what I am doing and just doing it helps block out unwanted noise. I have also found that documenting/ tracking sales and feedback helps me compare what works and what doesn’t.
For a small craft jewelry business in particular, online sales have been really challenging. I have found people prefer to touch and see how jewelry looks before purchasing which can be difficult to create online. So whenever I feel like the business isn’t doing well, I try to find a market day to get some in person feedback. And I usually end up laughing at myself for thinking ‘no one likes my stuff’ the week prior.
BWM: A mentor can play an integral role in someone’s career progression and personal growth. Did you have a mentor that influenced where you are today?
Alex: I have been lucky enough to have had multiple mentors in Australia / the USA/ in my family life / working Mums/Moms / working parents. I ask almost anyone who has achieved something I admire for advice, all the time. People love to be told that you admire something about them and then want to tell you about how they achieved what you admire.
Someone once told me that unless you are inventing something brand new, someone has already done something like what you are trying to do. So, I often try to find those people/brands/businesses and try to mimic what they have done but alter it so I am staying true to myself.
“Since then, growing ADK Jewelry as a business has allowed me an outlet for my creative energy which I had been missing in my work.”
BWM: Do you have a favorite moment so far with your business? Where you really felt like you were on the right path?
Alex: Yes! As a craft jewelry business, I have also strived for products that are affordable and bring a little joy. So when I first started I wanted to get pieces out in bulk and get photos of everyday people wearing the jewelry to use for social media and the website.
I used the Everything Free Somerville facebook page to offer free jewelry to anyone who might be willinging to take a selfie wearing the pieces or create content with the pieces and send me the pictures.
This work wonders, I suddenly had Boston’s most creative town wearing my creations and helping me create content and advertise my products. People also got to know the name of the brand this way and sometimes when I Vendor with BWM in Assembly Row I meet some of the people who helped me start out.
And then I have one other, all time favorite…. I had made a pair of white druzy agate crescent moon drop earrings. A customer bought them for her celestial themed wedding and shared photos from her big day with me! I couldn’t believe it, it made me so happy, it still makes me happy.
BWM: How have you continued to manage the growth of your business while also finding time and ways to invest in yourself?
Alex: Honestly, growth isn't necessarily my number 1 goal here. I do this as a creative outlet with the hope that what’s making me happy could also make someone else happy. The act of doing that is investing in myself. Who wouldn’t want to hear that their jewelry is awesome, from dozens of women, in a single day at a BWM event?
BWM: From one small business owner to another, what is your favorite go-to business tool or resource you can recommend to our community?
Alex: Wix as a website platform. I had a web designer assist me with the website creation. Then I downloaded the app on my phone (much easier to navigate than the website in my opinion). I can easily track inventory and process sales with my thumb.
Square is an awesome POS which enabled me to process credit card transactions! It can make a big difference on a market day to have the option!
Canva has saved me so many times. This business started because I was seeking a creative outlet but content creation is not it. If you also find this exhausting, Canva will change your life.
BWM: What is your go-to Podcast or book of the moment?
Alex: Life Uncut - a podcast created by two Australian Bachelor finalists Brittany Hockley and Laura Bryne. I love their unfiltered honesty and relatable content on relationships, working and motherhood.
BWM: Anything else you'd like to share?
Alex: One item I haven't touched on in any of my previous answers is the benefits I have received of being an EmpowerHer member with BWM.
If you are nervous about starting a business, joining a group of other women who at some stage were unsure about their business, is a great place to be!
I didn't discover…
wix or canva or square
or jewelry bags or crystal displays
or work out the most effective way to carry a whole shop into an event on my own
or put up my own tent and weigh it down
or catch my displays flying away in a gust of wind ….
on my own. This knowledge was collected as I met more people, watched other vendors on market days and asked other people in this community.
I have had a wonderfully fulfilling experience being part of this group and look forward to paying it forward to any new comers.
