I love featuring amazing entrepreneurs and small business owners that I work with, especially those who have taken my Amazon Handmade Hustlers Course. Today, I’m going to introduce you to Marilena Grittani of MGD Casual Jewelry. Marilena is a Pharmacist by training, with a lot of creativity that translates into her products. She was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to the USA in 1999.
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Read on for how her small business is succeeding with Amazon Handmade!
Why Did You Decide To Start A Business?
My business started when I couldn’t find in this country what I liked, all available was simply not my style, so I started to make them for me (after a lot of ruined materials). I became better at it, and with the support of my family and friends my business started in 2013. Since then I have evolved in terms of my style, materials I use and my target market.
How were your Amazon Handmade sales prior to starting the Hustlers course?
My sales were less than $50 at month when I started with the Hustlers book, I was lost, super confused and mainly trying to make it as similar as Etsy (which I knew) as I could but of course, I was totally wrong and was failing miserably, while getting frustrated and upset with the platform.
What was your goal in taking the course?
I needed to know what to do and how to do it. I knew it was different but didn’t know how and being Amazon such a gigantic business they have way more rules and info than Etsy. I needed a concise, step by step process, that was explained by someone that had the same experience and that will allow me to be open and understand the platform and more importantly I needed-validation that a jewelry maker could make it in such a big marketplace.
What was the most important thing you learned or change you made after taking the course?
I learned what to do and how, I learned that other have made it, and so could I. I learned that with information, hard work and dedication you can achieve what you want on this platform. But, what meant the most for me was that, I learned that there is someone there, that was in the same position I was; that pushed trough it and it was successful at it, and the best part she was, as far as, a facebook message away to guide me, to answers questions that I had (as dumb as they were), to encourage me and to make me part of a group of people just like me. Tara and the Hustlers book/course/facebook group made me feel that I belonged to a group and that I was not “fighting” against the Giant Amazon is by myself. In a few words: I was not alone anymore!
How has your Amazon Handmade shop grown since taking the course?
Tremendously!!! I made over $15K the first year, and I bought the book by mid-year. My shop have been taking off thanks to the course/book and help writing titles, SEO and search words
What are your future goals for your business?
I want my business to be my main source of income. I want to hire other female entrepreneurs to help me get there so I fulfill both my dreams, be an independent business woman and help my fellow boss-ladies.
Shop Handmade Jewelry from MGD Jewelry on Amazon!
