Meet Alaine Hutson, founder and maker of Social Justice Jewelry, an African American, woman-owned business based in Austin, TX since 2016. While always connected to her creativity, Alaine is an academic trained at universities in the US, UK, and Nigeria. She taught at institutions in IN, MI, and MO and currently teaches history at Austin’s HBCU Huston-Tillotson University.
Social Justice Jewelry is message jewelry that lets the wearer proudly communicate their value and their values. Wearing Social Justice Jewelry is meant to ward off demeaning TRASH (transphobic, racist, ableist/anti-semitic, sexist, homophobic) remarks. Social Justice Jewelry helps customers express messages of peace and strength out into the world and lets others know how you expect to be treated and treat other people.
Alaine shares her experience as a business owner and how EGBI can help you grow your business too.
Hi Alaine! To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
I used to be a professional tennis umpire and have been on the court with Serena and Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Sloane Stephens.
Why and how did you start your business?
I had been approached by people who made “jokes” that denigrate others. I wanted it to stop. I was thinking about it as I walked past an ad for medical alert bracelets and thought – that is what I need an allergy bracelet to social injustices. So I started making the “Allergy” cuffs.
What was the toughest moment in your business journey? How did you go past it and move forward?
I told myself when my business bank account runs out of money I will quit. So when I get low on funds and think the end is near is a tough moment to face, but so far I have been able to go to find markets or new wholesale clients, and once I was boosted by a grant that bought several of my pieces and kept me going.
What would you tell other entrepreneurs wanting to open their own business?
I had a clear purpose when I started my business and I think that is important advice for entrepreneurs. After I had the prototype of the first cuff and before I did anything else I wrote up what my values for the company would be and what would be the point where I had to walk away, so I wouldn’t have to make those decisions when I was feeling vulnerable or in a tight spot. Also, I set up separate business accounts, did my DBA, and sought out as much education as I could about establishing a business. So I could present the company and operate starting day one from a professional place. It helped me get retail partners and also helped me establish confidence; Social Justice Jewelry is a business, not a hobby and not a fluke.
How has EGBI helped you throughout your business journey?
At a time when I was feeling vulnerable and had just survived a funding low, I found EGBI through a long-time EGBI client – Lucero Photography. I needed some more education to push me to the next challenge. The 90 Days to Biz Success program put me in contact with entrepreneurs I could learn from and who saw I had some experience to share. EGBI gave me accountability and strategies to accomplish more in a shorter time. I am still in touch with Lucero and I am in the process of collaborating to make a crossover product with Sharafina Designs. We are also important sources of information about opportunities for each other.
“Supporting EGBI brings more success to your local small businesses.”– Alaine Hutson
What would you say to someone that is still unsure about using EGBI’s services?
There is nothing to lose and so much to gain. To paraphrase a rule from an art department, EGBI is a place you can trust, so “try trusting it for a while.”
Want to work with EGBI? Contact us to find out how you can get started.
Meet Rebecca, an Austin native and founder of Earth + Hand, a health and wellness company offering locally produced soaps made from all natural ingredients. She started making soaps for her family and friends in 2011 with the goal of eliminating chemicals and toxins from her everyday routine. Having a child on the spectrum, she was especially focused on creating products with aroma and texture sensitivity in mind. Although she was hesitant at first, her friends loved her products and encouraged her to start a business. Today Earth + Hand products can be found online and at local markets around Austin.
Rebecca shares her experience as a business owner and how EGBI can help you grow your business too.
Hi Rebecca! To get started, would you mind telling us what inspired you to start your business?
I experienced sensitivity to a lot of skincare products and was worried about my son who’s sensitive to certain fragrances and dyes. I wanted to create a product that minimizes toxins while using sustainable and renewable ingredients.
What makes your business unique?
We take a general wellness approach by combining wellness with everyday life. Our soaps are thoughtfully made and produced by hand in small batches. We’ve also started selling sage and crystals to encourage self-care for both the body and home.
What are some obstacles you feel like you have encountered in starting or growing your business? How did you overcome this?
Our biggest obstacle was the shift with the pandemic and no longer being able to sell our products in person. Our soaps are very aroma centered, with a focus on aromatherapy, so it’s been difficult not having an in person experience. Moving online was especially difficult because I’m not the most tech savvy person and had to learn everything from scratch. I’ve overcome this by being persistent and intentional. The most important thing is to keep trying.
What workshops/business coaching have you done through EGBI?
I was so excited when I found EGBI! I started doing business coaching with Barbara and Joni, where we focused on formulating my business and kicking it into high gear.
How has EGBI helped you?
EGBI helped me turn my passion into a sustainable business. My mom was an entrepreneur and having a personal background in real estate I knew a little about selling services; But to sell products I needed a completely different approach. It’s amazing how after one coaching session I knew exactly what steps I needed to take in order to get my business off the ground.
Want to work with EGBI? Contact us to find out how you can get started.
Meet Viridiana Reich or Viri, founder of Mayan Expressions, a hand-made gifts and jewelry company specializing in the creative work of indigenous Mayan people and their ancestral traditions. After moving to Austin from Chiapas Mexico, her mother would bring gifts from Chiapas made by indigenous Mayans during her visits. These gifts inspired Viri to start her business selling imported items while helping the indigenous people of her home country. These imports are made by hand with material indigenous to Chiapas. Today Mayan Expressions products can be found at their virtual store and at Austin Gift Company on South Lamar.
Viri shares her experience as a business owner and how EGBI can help you grow your business too.
Hi Viri! To get started, would you mind telling us what inspired you to start your business?
When I arrived in the US I started working a traditional job, but I’d always been proud of my heritage and inspired by silver jewelry. After friends saw my Mom’s presents from Chiapas they asked where they could buy similar products. That’s when I realized I could turn these gifts into a business.
What makes your business unique?
Our products are unique because everything is handmade and has a history. They also give back to the community by helping indeginuos women from Chiapas. It’s really a team effort between everyone on both sides of the border helping each other succeed.
What are some obstacles you feel like you have encountered in starting or growing your business? How did you overcome this?
There has been a lot! The biggest obstacle was combining my business with my family. I never felt like there was enough time and was always a little afraid of taking big steps like quitting my job and getting a loan. Prioritizing family definitely haltered my growth in the beginning but now owning my own business gives me the flexibility to be there for special moments. I thank God for how my business helps me support my family.
What workshops have you taken at EGBI?
I took the entrepreneurship classes with EGBI and they were very thorough. I’ve never lost contact with the EGBI staff and love seeing how much care and dedication the EGBI team puts into their work.
How has EGBI helped you?
EGBI helped me build a base and solid foundation for my business. What I really appreciated was the coaches putting themselves in my shoes and always thinking about my needs. It’s obvious they care about their clients and want to build a sustained relationship. The coaches are genuine and want to see their business owners succeed.
Meet Sandra Flemings, a client of EGBI that sees the value of the organization and has become a volunteer and supporter as well. Originally from Mexico, Sandra moved to the US after getting married. She has been an educator for more than 20 years and has a doctorate in education. As a very passionate early childhood educator Sandra saw the need for childcare in Austin, and thus felt called to open up a daycare center: CEI Preschool.
Sandra talks about the hurdles of opening up a small business and offers words of encouragement to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Hi Sandra! To get started would you mind telling us about your small business? Why and how did you start?
I saw the demand for childcare, and I saw that there was a need for reasonably priced childcare in the area. We started with the business in the home (as a home daycare) and the demand was so high we quickly saw the need to expand. We converted our home into the daycare center and grew from there.
What was the toughest moment in your business journey? How did you go past it and move forward?
The toughest moment for me was beginning to hire employees as the growth supported it; I was also pregnant at the time with my 3rd child, so that added to the challenge. I got past it in large part with the assistance and education I got through EGBI. Their resources are a big part of what allowed me to move forward with hiring and not getting overwhelmed by it.
How do you feel about the growth of your business and being able to open a 2nd location?
A daycare is a highly localized business; parents do not want to take their children far outside their normal commute if they can avoid it. Additional locations are needed to cover a greater geographical area. In order to ensure that growth is sustainable, we needed to solidify our internal organizational structure before taking the leap to open a second location.
What would you tell other entrepreneurs wanting to open their own business?
Do it! Take the leap! It is good to get educated, and it is critical to have people like EGBI backing you up. But oftentimes the biggest thing you need to do is to take that first step and get started.
“An investment in EGBI is an investment in the future of your local community.”– Sandra Fleming
How has EGBI helped you throughout your business journey?
EGBI has been a huge help to our business. From general knowledge support, to connecting us to critical resources in the community, to giving us specific assistance in areas where we needed help (i.e. bookkeeping and hiring practices), they have helped us every step of the way from the first day we connected with them.
What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering and supporting EGBI?
EGBI is a worthwhile endeavor. The support that they give businesses and entrepreneurs give returns a hundred times over through the growth and stabilization of the economic engine that is the small business community.
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Want to work with EGBI? Contact us to find out how you can get started.
In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Clients like Sandra make this possible by becoming supporters and volunteers to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Si deseas aparecer en las primeras posiciones de los resultados de búsqueda en Google, debes comprender cómo Google determina las clasificaciones. El algoritmo de Google utiliza la relevancia, la distancia y la prominencia para determinar los resultados de las clasificaciones locales de sus motores de búsqueda. Una clasificación más alta puede ayudarte a aparecer en búsquedas relevantes y mostrar reseñas de clientes.
Usa palabras claves: tu empresa necesita usar palabras claves relevantes que se ajusten a lo que el cliente está buscando.
Actualiza regularmente la información clave: asegúrate de que toda su información se muestre en el panel de resultados de búsqueda de tu empresa y asegúrate de mantenerla actualizada a través de tu website. Incluye el nombre de tu empresa, número de teléfono, dirección, sitio web y horario de atención.
Vincula a Google Maps: vincular tu ubicación significa que aparece en los resultados de búsqueda geográfica, como “cerca de mí”. Esto es especialmente útil para empresas de servicios domésticos como limpiadores, paisajistas, electricistas y plomeros.
Configura una sección de preguntas y respuestas: la creación de una sección de preguntas y respuestas permite que cualquier persona envíe preguntas sobre tu negocio. Responder a más preguntas aumentará la clasificación ya que estás alimentando al algoritmo de Google.
Incluye fotos: las empresas con fotos se consideran más respetables y te ayudarán a parecer más legítimo y confiable. Una lista aceptable tiene un promedio de 11 fotos.
Blog escrito por Anne Lagrange, traducido al español por Veronica Trevisan. Para leer el artículo en inglés, click here.
