Meagan Kurtz wanted a job that would be more flexible. She had just given birth to her third child and she knew that she wanted to be there for them. The industry she was already working in, advertising and marketing, just was not flexible enough to meet her needs. According to the Annandale Patch, she quit her job and went into the jewelry business.
In her first year, Adorn Design jewelry was sold in stores throughout the area such as Caramel Boutique in Washington, D.C., boutiques Kiskadee and Georgie’s Pilates Loft in Alexandria, VA and The Denim Bar in Arlington, VA. Earlier this year, Kurtz was chosen by Crave DC, the Washington, D.C. version of the urban guide to all things women crave to be featured among its 100 female entrepreneurs.
According to Kurtz, building relationships and understanding the unique markets of her clients are the keys to her success. It took her two to three years to build a recognizable brand. Kurtz started attending industry trade shows as a vendor in 2008 before expanding her client base.
Kurtz began showing her work when she collaborated with fashion designers during fashion week in New York. She was paired with designers whose clothing her work complimented. Kurtz said working with large accounts she obtained from major retailers was a huge learning curve for her. “I had to be part business person and not only an artisan,” said Kurtz.
Photo from ADMK Jewelry