Two Things I Would Invest In as a Permanent Jewelry Artist
Starting your permanent jewelry business is super exciting but it can also feel like there's so much to do before you even see your first client. With so many decisions to make and tools to buy, you might be wondering where to invest your money to really set yourself up for success. If I had to pick just two things to invest in from the beginning, they’d be: training and branding photos. Let me tell you why.
1. Invest in Training
Yes, you can learn how to weld by watching a bunch of YouTube videos, scrolling through TikToks, and piecing together info from the web. But if you're serious about getting started quickly and confidently, nothing beats structured, professional training from someone who has gone before you and gotten the results you're wanting in your own business.
When you invest in a course led by someone who’s been where you are, you're not just learning how to weld—you’ll feel confident because you'll have a roadmap for exactly HOW to launch your business, you'll get set up on a strong foundation and won't be closing your doors after one year because you didn't know how to price for profit.
If time is of the essence and you want to launch strong, this is a no-brainer. Find someone who offers training and let them help you lay the foundation the right way. I've been asked time and time again if I offer training. While I have trained boutiques and individuals adding permanent jewelry on to their existing services in person, I've been limited to serving those who are local to me. I am beyond excited to announce my online digital course, Permanent Jewelry Training by AG, will teach you how to build a profitable permanent jewelry business and will be launching late 2025! I'm seriously SO excited for this!
2. Invest in Branding Photos
You might think you don’t need branding photos until you’ve worked with a few clients, but hear me out: having beautiful, professional content right out of the gate gives you a huge head start. If you're just starting or even a seasoned permanent jewelry artist, branding photos are one of my favorite investments.
Before you've even booked your first appointment, branding photos give you:
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Eye-catching content to post on social media
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Visuals to build a polished, trust-building website (if you choose to create one)
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Imagery for marketing materials, from event flyers to vendor event signage
You don’t need a full-blown production, either. Even a mini branding session with a photographer who gets your vision can be a game changer. Imagine having a collection of photos showing your setup, tools, chains, and a few styled shots of someone “pretending” to be a client. You could even offer to trade with a photographer — a few permanent jewelry pieces in exchange for a brand photoshoot. I've done this several times and it’s a great way to get professional photos without stretching your budget.
There are tons of things you can DIY in your business, but sometimes investing in the right help early on can save you time, stress, and money down the road.