How I Made a Shocking Injury in Iraq into an Amazing Media Prospect for My Jewelry Business

by Tara Hutchinson
(San Antonio, Texas)

In 2006 I wasn't thinking about jewelry; far from it. In fact, stationed in Iraq as a Staff Sergeant and Squad Leader in the United States Army I hardly had the time and resources to take a shower every day.

That's why on Valentine's Day when my truck hit a roadside bomb and I was left without my right leg, I couldn't imagine myself living the rest of my life, much less having another career and ever being truly happy again.

After I got back to the USA and started the difficult and painful process of rehabilitation, my doctors couldn't figure out why my hands were constantly moving, even when I slept.

They did all sorts of tests and eventually discovered that during the attack when I was without a heartbeat for almost 20 minutes, a portion of my brain died, leaving me with a movement disorder.

More bad news: I was stuck with it for life.

Eventually, I had an occupational therapist who told me I should take up a hobby that helped re-tune my fine motor skills.

Lumineux Everyday Oxidized
Sterling Silver and Iolite Briolette Dangle
Earrings From Summer 2011 Sweet Bliss
Collection by Tara Hutchinson

So, I tried beading a necklace.

This brought back my intense sense of curiosity and natural urge to learn more, and soon I was getting my feet wet with metal clay, soldering, repousee, stone setting and everything else I could learn.

Fast forward 5 years: I am now divorced and living in a house independently by myself, and I have a new jewelry business that is in the exciting stages of just getting off the ground.

I am getting ready for my first outdoor show (a bike rally) in a week, when I get a call from a producer of the Dr. Oz show. They want me to take part in an episode about women who have come back from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they want me as their uplifting success story.

Quickly, I calculate in my head how many people I can inspire with my story, and I can't help but add in promotion for my business, so I say YES!

Then she tells me they want me to come out to New York, in 4 days; 2 days before my jewelry show!


Gisella Oxidized Sterling,
Concave and Marquise Cut Citrines,
and Green Amethyst Necklace
with Hand Forged Clasp from
Summer 2011 Sweet Bliss Collection
by Tara Hutchinson

Also, they will be coming out to my house to film me in my 'natural environment' the day after tomorrow.

So I give her two conditions: first, the trip will have to be as fast as possible to facilitate me preparing for my jewelry show.

Second, they must fly me first class.

(There really was no practical reason for this, except it would be SO much more glamorous and fun!)

So, she says ok without hesitation, which made me wonder, should I have asked for more?

So that Sunday, the film crew arrived right on schedule and started filming in my living room. I was wearing my most elaborate necklace during the interview, and even made them pan out so they could see the whole thing.

Two days later I was in the very first seat of a 737 bound for La Guardia International Airport, and when I finally arrived, there was a black SUV with tinted windows waiting for me.

I finally got to the hotel and in bed a little after 2 a.m., and completely slept through my alarm the next day.

I am so glad I ordered room service!

The car that was waiting for me outside took me to NBC Studios on Rockefeller Plaza, where there was another person waiting outside to whisk me past security.


Lanai 14K Gold Fill and
Carribean Blue Chalcedony Earrings
by Tara Hutchinson

During the filming, I got to view the 30 second montage they put together from the 4 hours of footage they filmed at my home.

Inside this footage, they panned over my studio and me sitting at my bench working on a piece of jewelry.

After the short video, Dr. Oz introduced me, and I rolled my wheelchair next to him on the stage.

The first question he asked me was how I have gotten to where I am today, referring to the PTSD. So I told him it was a combination of time, therapy and medication.

It was also finding something I loved to do. I didn't elaborate on this, because I assumed he would ask me about my business at the end of the interview.

Lesson learned? Don't assume anything with TV. That was the biggest plug I got to give for my jewelry business.

The other questions he asked me were referring to my PTSD and my Army career. Then it was time for a commercial, and my interview was over.

I got a photo with Dr. Oz, and I had to run to catch my plane.


Tara on the set with Dr. Oz

The trip was amazing, but when I got home on Wednesday evening, I was exhausted! I didn't even get to sleep in on Thursday; I had a jewelry show on Saturday morning!

Tips for
Working with the Media

All in all, it was a great trip. Exhausting, but I learned a lot about working with the media. Some of the lessons I learned are:

• ALWAYS ask beforehand if you can mention your business, and be specific in what you want to discuss. If I had done this, I believe I would have been able to mention my website.


• Prepare 2 or 3 different versions of a summary to discuss. If he would have asked me about my business, I am not sure what I would have said. It would have been nice if I had prepared a summary to discuss before I got there.


• ALWAYS get a wakeup call when staying at a hotel! If that room service guy wouldn't have been so persistent, I would have missed my appearance!


• When traveling as an ambassador for your jewelry business, bring samples of your jewelry! I had many people ask me if I brought pieces to sell! I didn't even think to do this before I left. There are sample cases available to do this, and it would have been easy to pack a few pieces in my luggage.


• Bring LOTS of business cards! I almost ran out, and I brought a 2-inch stack of them! I was giving them out to everyone I met; at lunch before I left, at the airport both ways, the hotel, I even gave one to the driver folded up inside my tip.

Zoe Sterling Silver, 14K Rose Gold
and Pyrite Wrapped Hoop Earrings
by Tara Hutchinson

All things considered, I think it was a successful appearance.

It will inspire a countless number of women who are currently experiencing PTSD, and if they are interested in what I am doing now they can Google me!

The show will air on Thursday, April 21, 2011 on NBC, and I hope you will tune in!

XOXO

Tara

Tara Hutchinson
Tara Hutch's Jewelry Blog
Tara Hutch Jewelry on etsy