At age 14, Bella Weems decided that she wanted to start her own business in order to save up money to buy a car by her 16th birthday. Beginning with $700, vintage glass lockets, various little objects to fill the lockets with, and a kiosk at the mall, Weems worked hard to get her business off the ground. After a year and a half, she decided to switch to a “direct sales model” in which the company sells the materials to independent sellers and receives a portion of the profits. The purpose of the lockets were to be unique to each individual so that they “could tell their own story with a locket.”
After 2 years, the company had generated $24 million in revenue and today, it is estimated to be worth about $250 million. Bella Weems is a true entrepreneur because she was motivated to start her own business and work hard in order to provide for herself. She adapted a long-standing product, a locket, to be customizable with charms. This drive and innovation is something we should strive to imitate, for she was able to look at a object that has been around for centuries and turn it into a brand new, thriving product.
I had no idea that this idea was from a young entrepreneur! I remember when these were especially popular and I ended up getting one of the necklaces for Christmas. It’s such a cool story!
I had no idea that this jewelry was made by a young girl. I think it is great that she decided to move forward with her idea. It is a good idea because my mother and I both have one of these! I think that it is very cute I no longer wear it though. There are a lot of people that love customizable jewelry like this and would love to wear it. I will say though I do not believe it gives off a vintage vibe I do like the customization.