Shanelle Smith, Fashionista and Owner of Snaketwist.com

Please come on over to my new website:

Jewelry Making Journal

I've got lots cool new things for you there - including
my videos, a unique tutorial, and Jewelry Business Insider interviews.

See you there!

- Rena Klingenberg

Shanelle Smith, Fashionista and Owner of Snaketwist.com

by Shanelle Smith
(Seattle, WA)

Hilary Duff wearing a Snake Twist

Snake Twist worn as a hair wrap

Snake Twists worn as a bracelet and necklace

Snake Twist worn as a hair ornament

My story is simple. I don't own a TV, a new iPod or a nice car. I don't spend money on hobbies like camping, scrapbooking, etc.

I'm of the tribe who spends every last dollar shopping for the latest trend, accessory, heel, boot - and I couldn't be happier. With a name like Shanelle, that's expected.

I've loved fashion and accessories since the day I was born. I used to throw a tantrum at two years old if my mother didn't buy me a new pair of shoes every time we went to Target.

When I was in college, studying journalism at the University of Washington, the paper asked me to write a weekly column, called Fashion Victim, which targeted people who dressed badly on campus. Yes it was mean, but it became so catchy, my friends were constantly texting me pictures of people who were dressing awful! It was so fun!

Today, I'm 24, I'm an innovation consultant in Seattle. As the daughter of a Delta Flight Attendant, I'm able to get the latest trendy items all over the world.

I'm starting my own online import jewelry business because I've realized there is a ton of quality jewelry available in China - and the U.S. retailers like Nordstrom, Target, Macy's, J. Crew are ripping us off.

My mom is able to bring home beautiful pieces for $1, versus $40 in the department stores. We get so many requests from friends and family, we thought it would be only fair to give people a chance to get quality, affordable jewelry that lasts.

I've been selling amazing snake twists, which can be used as a headband, necklace, bracelet or a belt in metallic colors.

I directed my snaketwist.com domain name to my ebay account, but obviously I've just started. All of my girlfriends were buying them from me like crazy, so I thought why don't I create an online store and brand Snake Twist.

This is becoming really challenging!

My question to small business owners out there, who've been in this business for a long time, is how can you create a name and following for your site online. Are there any strategies you've found that have worked?

What's the best way to invest your time and money?

Purchasing more inventories and going to events and shows, or slowly going viral? Has anyone had success with Ebay?

Any advice would be amazing.

Shanelle Smith
SnakeTwist

Comments for
Shanelle Smith, Fashionista and Owner of Snaketwist.com

Click here to add your own comments

cool necklace
by: Val

Hi Shanelle,

This sounds like an exciting venture and a great way to earn extra money. I have had a lot of success on eBay (http://stores.ebay.com/Miss-Vals-Creations) and my business is continuing to grow there. I think it is the perfect way to start. The key to this site is top notch customer service and pricing. As an eBay store owner you can research completed listings of similar jewelry. A wide variety of items is important to bring traffic to your shop. I have not spent money on advertising and have just stuck with grass roots things such as blogging, Facebook, Twitter among others.

Best of luck!

Val www.missvalscreations.com

Company name
by: lady beader

Definitely don't name your company for that one item. Yes it's edgy and cool now but in a year it will be done with and your customers will want the "new" thing. Try to incorporate your name into your business name. Something that will cover everything you make/import to sell. Good luck with your new bus.

Consider Snakeophobes LIke Me
by: Anonymous

Most people, like me, have a terrible aversion to snakes! Even hearing the name makes me shudder. I don't know why advertising people think it's cool and sexy and put snakes in car ads on TV or in magazines. If I come across a printed magaazine page with a snake in it, I rip it out so I don't accidentally see it again everytime I want to read the issue. I change the channel ASAP (BMW used a boa in it's TV ad, and it made me feel sick!) I had to leave a bellydance event because the "goddesses" had boas in baskets which totally freaked me out.

So, I would suggest you consider this when naming your company, etc. I know I'm extreme in my aversion, but I don't know. I think the majority of people are afraid of snakes or, let's say, not very comfortable with this unusual creature...

P.S. Oops--I Forgot to Say This...
by: Anonymous

Love the product! I checked out your Ebay listings and think you should definitely also offer these as "Buy It Now" listings. I rarely bother with auctions--I prefer to just buy something if I like it and want it.

I also think you should sell your products directly through a website. I would consider purchasing if it was available as a direct sale.

Love the Snaketwist Jewelry
by: Noreen

This looks like a fun piece of jewelry, and I can see that it would be hugely popular - for a while. But people being people will soon move on to the next new thing. I would suggest not basing your whole site/business on just that one piece, but rather add new things regularly as your Mom discovers them for you. Perhaps a better name might be Fascinating Accessories.com or something else you like that would fit with what you want to offer.
And then you can offer a new piece or two from time to time - which will keep people coming back to your site to check it out, rather than a one time visit/purchase.

Promoting the SnakeTwist
by: Rena

I have a couple of thoughts for promoting the SnakeTwist:

I think a short video of someone using the SnakeTwist - demonstrating how it bends, what you can do with it, how you can wear it, why it's cool, etc. - would be a tremendous help in selling them.

Most people could probably connect with it better if they actually saw it being bent, twisted, wrapped, etc.

You could post the video on your website as well as on YouTube.

Also, why not reach out to a few fashionista bloggers? You could send a couple of SnakeTwists to each blogger, and ask them to check them out, put them through their paces, give you honest feedback that you can use in your advertising, and review them for their readers.

And I think you've gotten some great tips in the comments above! Lady Beader, I agree about not naming the business for one product; instead, choose a name that you won't outgrow as your business expands.

Anonymous has a valid point about many people having an aversion to snakes - you may or may not want to try a different product name.

And Noreen has a great tip about creating a business that incorporates a variety of the treasures your mom finds - that way you can build up a base of repeat customers.

Good luck - I think this is an interesting product with a lot of potential, and you have a great opportunity with your mom's travel and accessory-sourcing ability!

Catherine D'Arcy, who wrote The Accidental Jewelry Business article here, may be a source of inspiration for you.

Thank you
by: Shanelle

You all are so amazing!! I launched my own website www.snaketwist.com

Please check it out and let me know what you all think.

I also made a Facebook page where the first 50 people to like us will get a free Snake Twist, so please like us and try it! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Snake-Twist/165023953546242

I'm still selling Snake Twist on Ebay.. My main concern though is finding the right vendors to sell Snake Twists at. I was a vendor at a cheer competition, but didn't do as well as I would have like simply because little girls don't have money to spend. Do any of you have ideas on events that are great for selling jewerly that is under $10?

New and Improved Website
by: Shanelle Smith

Hi Everyone,

Since writing this article I was actually able to create a new website and it's working!! I'm selling a ton of Snake Twists. Check it out and let me know what you think!!

www.snaketwist.com

SnakeTwist.com
by: Rena

Awesome, Shanelle! Your site looks great - and I love how your snake twists pop out visually the moment I arrived on your site.

I also like the dark purple in your site template, the "Under $12 Gifts" enticement, the examples of how to use the snake twist - everything is really nicely done, uncluttered and very appealing!

I'm so happy to hear how well your snake twist business is doing - your business story is inspiring.

Click here to add your own comments