Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marley Chase. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Marley, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I’m extremely fortunate to come from a long line of blue collar workers- where even my biggest fan of everything I do, my Papa, STILL to this day works at 83 years old. The best part is, he absolutely embodies the saying of “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”. Along with my Papa, his wife (my Nana) and my parents are extremely dedicated to their life-long work. They were outstanding role models for me to understand the significance of how important it is to push yourself in your work. Although a strong work ethic isn’t as common now in the workforce, I was beyond fortunate to have a front row seat. From a young age, it was always instilled in me that what effort you put in, you’ll reap the reward if you work hard enough. Practicing that mantra for 30 years through school, soccer (I played for 17 years) and being in the workforce, has really shaped me in to the woman I am today, as well as the type of small business I own and run.
Since opening my e-commerce business in 2020, having that extra push and desire to succeed can only be credited to my work ethic. Working full-time and running a full-time business was no small feat. As someone who possesses a strong work ethic, it’s extremely important to produce products that are high-quality. It’s something I pride myself on, especially in this business, and it hasn’t let me down ever!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, where more than enough banana breads were made and we first brought home our mini-goldendoodle named Oakley (our honorary co-founder)- clay & oak began. This small business started within the Berkshire mountains, and has recently made its way out to Eastern Massachusetts’ North Shore as of January 2022. I’ve always had an eye for art and design, and this small business has given me the capability to share my passions with all of you. After more than (almost) 4 years of experience in creating unique, hypoallergenic polymer clay earrings, from the bottom of my heart, I love what I do! This small business has been featured in numerous articles, podcasts, a part of weddings and special events throughout the country, and has been housed in a dozen local storefronts throughout New England.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three skills that I believe are extremely important to survive in this day and age of running a small business are: the ability to find your voice as a small business owner, push away the imposter syndrome, and live in the moment.
When you first start out owning a business, it can be really intimidating. It’s hard to put yourself out there and be vulnerable about a product or service you are passionate about without worrying about what others may say or if you’ll be accepted as a “legit” business. With the perception of others, especially in today’s world with social media- do not change who you are. Do not change how you run your business (unless you personally feel that you need to re-evaluate/grow), or what your goal was from the very get-go. Stand your ground, and those who love what you have to offer- on your own terms, will be your biggest supporters in the long run.
Imposter syndrome can be so crippling! It’s hard to measure yourself to others and think “am I doing it all wrong”? Social media presents us with so many competitors that make us re-evaluate what we do. We could be extremely successful in what we do, but that one social media account could take it all away in a matter of moments- “why aren’t I that talented”, “if only I had that..”, “wow she really has it all together”..the list goes on. Try to look at social media as a networking tool and point for reaching your targeted audience.
Lastly, my husband 100% gets the credit for this one- don’t let your small business be your entire personality..I mean, mine is probably 90% of mine, but don’t forget to focus on those who are most important to you. Often when you’re driven and looking for ultimate success, the blinders come on and you forget to smell the roses of what you’ve built! So flourish in the accomplishments, but take that extra 20 minutes to play outside with your dog, or an hour to cook a nice homemade meal with your loved one. The business will still be there the next day, I promise.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
As an only child (I know, that term often brings a negative connotation), but they always told me I could do anything. It sounds cheesy, but they really told me I had the ability to do anything I wanted if I worked for it. There was never a discussion of “if you want to play sports, you can’t do this”, or “if you want to go to acting camp, you can’t do that”. I was absolutely blessed to have parents who told me I could play soccer, go to acting camp and sell my beaded jewelry all at the same time. I never had to pick one passion from another, and they always encouraged me to do what I love. Even at 30 years old, my parents are still my biggest cheerleaders in supporting this small business and all of my biggest life decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: clayoakjewelry@gmail.com
- Instagram: clay_and_oak
- Facebook: clay_and_oak
Image Credits
Illume by Merissa Conley
