Name of your website?S.G.Originals Jewelry
Your name?
Susan Galli
Your Location (city, etc)
Diamond Springs
Please give us a short summary of your website?
An online store offering quality, handcrafted jewelry created from natural stone beads, fossils, pearls sterling silver, stainless steel and a variety of other materials. We also welcome special orders and offer jewelry repair and restoration. In business since 1987.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
I'm trying to expand my customer base, sell more jewelry and challenge myself by doing new and interesting work.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
March 2005, closed in Feb. 2006. Cosmic Creations. I wasn't quite ready.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
My current website name is my current business name.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
I designed it myself with software provided by the hosting company. I did not want a cookie cutter look and, although some are critical of my design, I like it. I think it's more personal than most and if you like jewelry, you must know, it's very personal.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
To continue offering fun, affordable jewelry, to support my long time and new customers and to never be stuck in a rut. When it's time to quit, I'll know it, the business will close.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I measure my success by the feedback from customers. When they are happy with their purchase, the time I spend looking for beads, fossils, etc., and making the pieces I sell, is as well spent as I could hope for. Like I always say, my jewelry waits for the right person to find it. And the look of joy on their face is priceless.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would advertise more, travel to participate in more events and expand my work space.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes, because I have a seasonal business selling to tourists close to home, I have a flexible schedule. My wholesale suppliers are very good about rush orders and I am very good at what I do, which is making jewelry.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
The price of gas. As a traveling merchant it is getting more expensive to do events further from. With event fees and motel costs always going up I now try to do things closer to home, not passing my higher costs on to my customers.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Searching for new and interesting materials year after year so my creations don't all look the same.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Can't answer that one, it's still pretty new, not much traffic yet. I hope this directory will help.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It takes a bit more time than expected, but I've adjusted and am now having lots of fun.
How long have you run the site already and will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
I've been serious for about 2 months and will give it a year or two before I give up.
What is your business philosophy?
To offer customers high quality jewelry. To be responsive and honest when contacted by a customer. To support my products, if the customer has a problem with their purchase, I will resolve it.
What is your website address?
S.G.Originals Jewelry
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