LL Always: EST. 2014
I can tell you that I have been creative and entrepreneurial my whole life, but didn't act upon it, for fear of being judged. Honestly, LL Always is a story of bravery and courage to finally put myself out there. I can still remember my first sale, my first time setting up a booth, and my first wholesale order. I didn't know what I was doing, I asked a lot of questions and was so nervous... but SO excited. My advice to anybody who has a flutter in their stomach or a nag at their heart to put yourself out there and try something new...do it, do it scared! The world needs people like us.
On December 2014, I made a decision, I was going to open an Etsy store and try to sell my jewelry. Realize that I have NEVER worked retail in my entire life. I am a teacher. I have taught swimming lessons, middle school math, and taught student teachers how to teach. Living in a small town, I knew that the internet was the answer to provide a wider reach. I went to our local library and got the book, Etsy for Dummies. I decided that I would follow all of the steps and see what happened. This decision happened during my holiday break, in my Lazy Boy chair, coffee in hand, fireplace lit, and laptop on my lap. Let’s give it a try, then I got my first order, her name was Peggy and she was from North Carolina.
They say that all businesses start with a problem that they are trying to solve. My “problem” was that I was trying to buy a necklace with the numbers 26.2, but couldn’t find it. At the time I was running a lot, multiple marathons and half marathons each year. The significance is that the number 26.2 is the length of a marathon, 26.2 miles. Before a race, runners go to a running expo, I walked around each expo with a $50 bill in my pocket that I received for my birthday. Nothing, I couldn't find it. So, why not try making it myself? I starting watching YouTube videos on how to metal stamp and went to Michaels craft store and bought $50 in supplies. I made it, wore it and loved it. People commented, and it got me thinking.
That Christmas I decided that instead of buying gifts, I would try my hand at making some keepsakes with my new stamps, I was excited because I now had letters and numbers to stamp. People received jewelry, ornaments and key chains…each were personalized and it made them smile. Looking back, I am a little embarrassed, the quality, the letters are crooked, the bad metal, but it was a start. Every Christmas I love seeing my first ornament that I made for our family, stamped with a crooked “Ludwig” in the middle with little snowflakes.
Fast forward to today, and I have made and sold thousands of pieces of handmade jewelry. Over the years, there have been lots of ups and downs, but I made the decision in 2014 that I would not quit, and I haven’t. Our Etsy store is still going strong with over a 1,200 orders and 150 five star reviews, further, we attend about 15 craft shows every year, and have met some amazing people along the way.
This business has now become a family business with my husband Matt and my three daughters Anne, Karen and Megan. We have shipped to all 50 states and Canada. It geeks me out knowing that jewelry that I make with a hammer and stamps in our little studio in Upper Michigan, is out there in the world bringing joy.
--Linda Ludwig, LL Always