Work in Progress : Marian King
5 questions with entrepreneurs making their business a success.
Ever wonder how some businesses got their start? We do, and always find it fascinating. So we sent 5 questions to a business owner to get their honest answers and find out what keeps them and their businesses going.
Marian King is an artist, jewelry designer and founder of Marian J King Designs. Her hand-crafted jewelry line is making its name well known in Chattanooga, TN, and beyond.
How did you get started with your business / in your role? What made you get into it? Was this path planned? Was there an a-ha moment when you realized you were on the right path?
My jewelry journey began in childhood, crafting with beads and finding solace in quiet focus. This passion led me to a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry, seemingly setting a clear path.
Fueled by a somewhat naive and youthful ambition, I launched my first jewelry business at 25. However, the realities of the industry proved challenging, and after five years of financial strain and burnout, I stepped away, vowing to leave it behind.
Fast forward a decade – marriage, children and multiple relocations across the southeast. While life flourished, a creative void remained. Finally settling in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I rediscovered the joy of making. This time, armed with experience and a renewed passion, I'm back with Marian J King Designs, constantly learning and growing. I have found so much joy connecting with new people and forming relationships in my community. I feel confident setting my own parameters this time around.
What was business like at first? Was it slow, overwhelming, confusing? Did you feel like you were in over your head? Or was everything as you expected?
Launching my business was a whirlwind! I had zero experience with online sales and fumbled my way through Squarespace (which can still be frustrating!). But guess what? Launching right before the holidays, despite the craziness, was a great decision.
Before starting MJK Designs, I tested the waters with pop-up shows at my place and friends' houses. This helped me understand which products resonated with customers, so choosing what to sell online wasn't too difficult.
The real challenge has been the business side of things. Most artists would probably agree—we'd rather just create! Juggling making art, marketing, and managing the business has been tough.
Things have calmed down a bit now, and I'm getting better at planning for upcoming local events. I am giving myself time to paint and make jewelry. Summer will be challenging though as I navigate work and the kids’ summer vacation schedule.
When was it that things clicked? When did you feel like you started to figure things out or feel comfortable with how your business was performing?
I don't think I will ever feel like things have clicked. I'm always changing and growing. The most important thing to me is to stay true to myself and back off when I need to. I'm confident in my ability to do both.
In terms of branding, how much time do you spend thinking about how customers view your brand or products?
I think about branding often. I try to keep the look of my socials in line with my website by using the same colors, fonts and logos. Same for my jewelry packaging. Hopefully one of these days I will be able to update my packaging to be a bit more luxurious, but I think everything is cohesive. I definitely make tweaks here and there and am sure I will eventually go through a re-brand, which is always fun!
Lastly, what’s one of the biggest lessons you learned along the way?
In everything we do in this wonderful life, there will be people that will tell you how to do it better or different. Whether it's business related or personal. Just go with your gut and stay true to your brand (this is not easy). For me, this truth has come with age and experience, but I finally feel free enough to not give AF what people want me to be.
Businesses don’t always take off overnight. For some, success happens on the second go. It’s the interesting stories that happen in between, and the folks behind the business, that give them life—all the stuff we love discovering because those genuine, unmanufactured nuggets are the stuff that stories, legends and brands are built from.
“The most important thing to me is to stay true to myself and back off when I need to. I'm confident in my ability to do both.”
