This week in our ongoing Meet the Maker series, we’re getting to know Jen Murse, who runs both the deliciously gorgeous jewelry line plastique* and the modern stationery line Paper Trail.

 

 

LBC: What inspired you to take the leap as an entrepreneur?
Jen: It happened as an accident. I was working a 9 to 5 as a graphic designer and started making jewelry as a hobby. The hobby turned into a full time job as the interest for my designs grew. I had always wanted to have my own business but I thought it would be a traditional design studio.

 

LBC: How would you describe what you create?
Jen: I create modern and minimal jewelry pieces that are fitting for all ages. They are small pieces of whimsical delight as I like to think of them. My stationery is similar. I have always had a deep love of stationery since I was a child and I decided to launch Paper Trail to sit beside plastique* as a line of modern stationery goods. Rather than focusing on greeting cards I prefer to focus on more fun items like stamps, gift sets, pens etc.

 

LBC: When you first got started, how did you envision your business would be defined?
Jen: I really had no visions. Since it was a hobby I was just going with the flow having a good time making things. As it became more of a business I started realizing all the changes I would have to make to sustain it as a business.

 

easy LBC: Where can we find your products?
Jen:  You can find both my plastique* and Paper Trail lines online at my websites, on Etsy, Vault, Brika, Brit+Co and numerous shops around the country and even a few boutiques internationally.

 

 

LBC: Walk us through a typical work day.
Jen: There is no such thing as a typical work day for me. Some days I am out running errands getting supplies and shipping packages. Other days I’m holed up designing new pieces. And other days I’m in production mode making inventory. Then there are days I am prepping to do a craft show. And all the while always answering emails nonstop and trying to get some gym time in where I can.

 

LBC: What are the three things makers should think through when they initially decide to start a business?
Jen: 1. Make sure you LOVE what you are doing because you are going to be working harder than you ever imagined.

2. Make sure you have enough money to sustain because in the beginning it’s hard to get revenue coming in. You are mostly sinking money into making inventory and getting the word out there.

3. If you can, hire an assistant, intern or someone to help ease the day because it’s going to sneak up on you fast that you can’t do it all. And it’s a struggle to organize once you are in too deep.

 

LBC: When you’re overwhelmed, what brings you back to focus?
Jen: Stepping away from the work and my office and getting outside. Going to the gym helps. Taking a shower. Things to kind of relax, release energy and tension.

 

 

LBC: Tell us about a few of the best business decisions you’ve made to date.
Jen: Knowing when to say no. Sometimes you just can’t do it all. And I’ve realized this finally, so sometimes I just have to turn things down. It’s for the greater good of my sanity!

 

LBC: Please share one mistake or obstacle from your business experience. How did you bounce back/overcome it?
Jen: One ongoing “mistake” I’ve made is making too many designs. I always have too many choices and too much inventory. It gets hard to manage and I think ultimately it hurts sales sometimes when people are paralyzed by too many similar options. I need to scale back and refine. I constantly struggling with that.

 

 

LBC: What are 3 essential resources in your business toolbox you can’t do without?
Jen:  Intuit Payroll — without it I would have NO idea how to pay myself and pay my payroll taxes. My accountant — without him I’d be lost in a sea of numbers. Also,  Endicia and my Dymo printer – I use Endicia for shipping and it’s such a breeze. And my Dymo thermal printer is one of the best choices I’ve ever made. All together they make shipping a million times easier than when I used to handwrite the addresses and take them to the post office to send one by one.

 

LBC: Suppose we had a time machine. If we blasted ourselves forward a few years, where would we see your company?
Jen:  I see myself merging plastique* and Paper Trail as lines under one company. Right now they sort of live separately in the social media world but I’d prefer to house them under one design studio. That was always my vision. I also want to learn to make fine jewelry. So if I can get myself to take classes and learn that, I’d like to see my company in that way as well.

 

 

LBC: Your music play list is full of … 
Jen: Indie pop/rock, Disco-y House music, Remixes, Funk/Soul… The list goes on. I LOVE music.

 

LBC: If you could hire someone to do just one thing that you sort of loathe doing, what would it be?
Jen: I’d hire a bookkeeper. Anything related to logging expenses, taxes, etc. is the thing I loath THE most.

 

 

LBC: Tell me about a few of the places on your travel “bucket list”?
Jen:  I’ve been to over 40 countries already but I still haven’t been to so many. Thailand, India, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Peru are high on my list of places I must go to before I die.

 

Thank you, Jen, for sharing your fabulous talent in both the jewelry and stationery world!  We love your lines and  we look forward to all the wonderful things ahead for both plastique* and Paper Trail. We’re cheering you on!

 

Want to see your brand featured in our continuing “Meet the Maker Monday” series? Drop us a line: hello AT luckybreakconsulting.com. Please use “MEET THE MAKER” as the subject line and be certain to include your web address. We look forward to hearing from you!