Learn more about this inspiring Enterprising Mom, who despite four heart surgeries, is growing a business while also growing her family. Her latest venture will direct 50% of it’s profits to heart research through her online bookstore. Meet her at our free Enterprising Playdate on August 26th.
Name: Tammy Goddard
Title: Owner and Artist
Business: Bead On Through
Type of Business: (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2C mostly, but have recently started doing some B2B
Industry: Retail, Jewelry
Product/Service:
Handmade jewelry. I have over 200 pieces I make regularly to sell, which isn’t reflected on my website – yet, and I take custom orders all the time. I often sit down with a customer and help them design a piece, including brides. Usually it is because they want a piece to match an outfit, complete a set (for example, they want a pair of earrings to match a favorite necklace), or find something in a magazine that they want reproduced. I work primarily with beads – from gemstones to Swarovski crystals to everything in between. I also make personalized jewelry with names and birthstones.
Years in Business:
Hung my shingle in 2005. That was the year “Bead on Through” was born, but I had been making jewelry as gifts for a few years prior to this.
Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Most of my work comes directly from referrals. I often hear from customers by saying “someone stopped me at a party the other day and asked me where I got my necklace!” The customers love that (who doesn’t love compliments?) And then it is also a huge compliment to me.
Personally speaking…
Home life:
I live in Leesburg, VA with my husband of 10 years (next week!), Josh and my two children. Josh and I have been friends since we were 15 years old, but never dated until our mid-20’s. Our kids are: Ever Grace who is 5 and Trent Adam who is 4. We also have a rescued dog, a Golden named Finn and a little fluffball of a dog named Toto. We feel thrilled to be here and grateful when we all snuggle down together at night. Having had my 4th heart surgery last summer, and now both of my kids having uncertain cardiac futures, every single day is a gift for us.
Childcare situation:
My husband is a cop and has an amazing schedule. He works the day shift. So he is home during the week a few days and even on work days he is home at 5:30 pm. I work from home and schedule appointments when Josh is home, so one of us has always been fortunate enough to stay at home with the kids.
Motivation for starting your business(es):
I have always loved making things. From homemade jam to knitted scarves, I am a terror at places like Joann Fabrics or Michaels. A friend of mine introduced me to jewelry making and I was hooked from that day forward. Once I realized I could make money from selling my jewelry, it became a longterm goal to eventually retire from real estate and just do Bead On Through. By the way, Bead on Through was named after my favorite group, The Doors. Break on Through was one of my favorite songs, so Bead on Through was born! I feel a thrill like no other when I am creating things. It’s not simply something I want to do, its something I have to do.
Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Making it exactly what I want. Let’s say I decide I don’t like something I have been making anymore. Well, I just stop making it! Complete freedom.
Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
For the first time in BOT’s history – my jewelry is going to be carried in a Hallmark store in Virginia Beach!! I haven’t figured out how to celebrate it yet, I am still so speechless that this is even happening! And also – I have been hired as the Jewelry Instructor at Joann fabrics in Leesburg – this is going to be so fun!
On your nightstand:
Glass of water, whatever book I am reading now (currently obsessed with Young Adult fiction, the Twilight series- my guilty pleasure), medicine and mini Nilla wafers (to wash down the medicine – haha)!
The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My Blackberry. I have one item on my blackberry “memopad” which I use constantly – anytime I have an idea or a brainstorm, I put it in my memopad. I have been using it a lot lately when I think of an idea for my blog. Another item on blackberry – “maps”, like my own handheld GPS, it helps me find places all the time.
Last purchase for self:
A book – Eclipse (by Stephenie Meyer) just came out in paperback this week, and my hardback copy is falling apart so I had to get the paperback.
Favorite way to unwind:
Making jewelry.
Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
“Fake it ’til you make it.” I used to hate when my mother would say that to me. But I have learned, especially with my own business, that you have to appear confident even if you don’t always feel like it. It’s important to be (or appear to be) very self-possessed in running your own business.
Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
The fellowship! I love connecting other people. I get such a thrill out of reading an inquiry, and then thinking of a way I can help connect that person. I mean, what are we doing this for if not to help each other out? And a perfect example is this – I am getting all this support from you all for my bookstore to help raise money for the Americanheart.org for my kids. Its just wonderful!
Connect and learn more:
Web Sites: Bead on Through and Online Bookstore
Blog: Mama Tazz Says …
Facebook: no fan page yet, but I would love to friend you at Tammy McIntyre Goddard
Twitter: tazzygod
Logo: Don’t have one – but my slogan is “Making Chicks Happy Since 2005″
What: Coffee and Connections – Networking 1-2-3
For entrepreneurial moms, finding just the right childcare arrangement, one that provides enough care to enable one to focus sufficiently on business while also providing moms a flexible schedule with time for family, can be one of our greatest challenges. This is can be especially difficult when one is first starting out. Does one commit to childcare to create the time to build and maintain the business? Does one work in the off hours until the money starts coming in and then invest in childcare? Or, does one use some creative combination while getting things rolling.
At long last, The Enterprising Moms is taking the plunge and joining the social media revolution. A bit late to the party, for sure, but here nonetheless. We’ve been on Linkedin for a while, but really haven’t done much in that space. But, with a new social media strategy in hand, we are poised to take advantage of social media tools and the numerous benefits they offer for connecting with relevant communities for the benefit of our membership.
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