We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shelba Malone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shelba, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
My generosity comes from how I was raised. I was always taught to share and to be kind. My mother, though flawed as we all are, is the kind of person who will give her last dollar to someone in need. She is primarily who instilled in me the ability to be generous. Now as an adult running a jewelry business, my generosity has helped form relationships with my customers. Every order that I’ve ever received, I’ve gone above and beyond for by including extra gifts. I want every single one of my customers to be delighted when they open a package from me. In turn, I’ve gotten so many wonderful reviews and here recently an email letting me know that their package made their day because of all the extras I included. These comments fill me with absolute glee, that not only are these people who took a chance by placing an order with me, not only love the quality of the jewelry, but also enjoy the extra thought and care I put in. I realize behind every order, there is a human being with the same challenges that we all face nowadays just getting by, I would like for my jewelry to brighten those days that are sometimes challenging to get through. In short, it brings me joy to be generous.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I make jewelry of all kinds though mostly macramé styled. I began making jewelry when I was about five years old, but I learned how to macramé when I was in the sixth grade in an art class. I realized that I could make jewelry instead of wall hangings and began making macramé bracelets that I would give to friends and family. Over the years I continued to make jewelry and found that friends, family, and co-workers would encourage me to set up an Etsy store. With some convincing, I sat up an Etsy store in May of 2017 called Miss M’s Macrame and I have never looked back or regretted that decision. Since then, I have attended many craft fairs and farmer markets all over Arizona and even in Montana.
Since opening my Etsy store, I have just reached my 200th online sale, though I know that to some, that isn’t very many, however, to me it’s an incredible achievement and something I’m very proud of. My ultimate goal is to become a recognized brand with affordable quality jewelry. Eventually expanding to having a luxury line using precious metals and stones. As of right now, I work with quality glass and crystal beads, along with some semi precious stones.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I would say some of the qualities that have been the most impactful along this journey was being generous, acting with integrity, and remaining optimistic. The impact I’ve had on people and my business through these qualities have been what’s ushered in waves of success. By being generous, people have had many positive emotions regarding my brand and business. By acting with integrity, I’ve gained the trust of my customers who have turned into repeat customers. Staying optimistic has allowed me to stay committed to my business and building my brand even though there has been many periods of no or slow growth. In addition to these qualities, it never hurts to have some book keeping knowledge as it’s also important for keeping a business running.
If I were to give advice to someone who has just started their journey, I would tell them to always be honest and upfront, if they can be generous, do it, and stay optimistic because no matter what, at some point you might feel like giving up. Focus on the small wins, and your goals in order to help maintain your optimism. I would also encourage them to take classes on running a business because even if you have all these qualities, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you may find it harder to keep going.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am open to collaborations, especially with people who can share my love of all things beautiful and whimsical. As I adore designs by a well known designer, Betsy Johnson and hope to one day have a look that sparks a similar whimsical joy that her work evokes. Anyone who would love to work with me to create things similar or even in a cottage-core style genre can email me directly.
Contact Info:
- Website: MissMsMacrame.etsy.com
- Instagram: missmsmacrame
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissMMacrame
- Other: TikTok: miissmsmacrame
