FLM - The pandemic certainly has impacted many businesses last year. Describe any challenges you may have experienced and how you were able to pivot that allowed you to maintain or increase business.
MM - My business was very much based on events pre Covid. I would host many events each month all over the world to introduce the brand to new clients. I also have my boutique, in addition to selling to other stores. Unfortunately, with Covid I had to pivot quickly to more online sales. We always had our website but jewelry sales online are a bit more challenging than many other product categories. So I had to get creative. I have always been involved in charitable endeavors. With Covid I did many promotional sales where a percentage of sales (and even sometimes all profits) were donated to Covid related charities. This, in addition to putting some items on sale for the first time in our history, helped us transition to a new way of selling during the pandemic.
FLM - The challenges of your personal life have been front and center on the show. Explain how sharing intimate and/or tough conversations has either helped or changed you in some type of way.
MM - In the strangest of ways, Housewives coupled with Covid saved my marriage. I call the process a sort of glam therapy. Obviously, nothing is confidential, in fact, quite the opposite. You are putting everything out there and it makes you think about how you engage and disengage with others, how you communicate with others and how you want to be treated and treat others. It is highly self-reflective process if you embrace it and don’t try to cheat the process.
FLM - You're a businesswoman and a fashionista, tell us your 5 year plan with Meredith Marks as it relates to your jewelry and expanding your brand into other product lines.
MM - I started expanding my business into other product categories about five years ago. I started an outerwear collection and then went into handbags and some other soft accessories such as cashmere scarves, hats and gloves. I am now starting to do a bit more of apparel and a spa collection. I have a few other exciting things coming up that I cannot discuss yet!
FLM - Share three helpful tips for women aspiring to launch a new business in the fashion or jewelry industries.
MM – Number one is networking. Just like in any industry, networking is everything! Number two is passion. Jewelry and fashion are highly competitive and difficult industries to break into. You will need to work extremely hard to succeed and without a strong passion, it is impossible to survive. Number three is marketing. There are many, many very talented designers out there but your customers need to know who you are. Marketing is crucial!
For more information and to shop Meredith Marks visit www.meredithmarks.com.
Photo Credit Romer Pedron
Photo Credit Karlina Zitolina