Cute & Affordable Canadian Jewelry – Foxy Originals

March 4, 2014 , In: Entrepreneur, Fashion, Jewelry, Style , With: 4 Comments
0

empire-necklace-in-purplecoral9511426So, there’s a few reasons I like Foxy Originals.  They are Canadian with all jewelry hand-made in Toronto, and they have a community involvement program which includes collaborations with great causes and recycling.

bio2

 

But I also like them because it was started by two gals out of university, and is now a global enterprise with jewelry found in Canada, the US and as far away as China and Malaysia.  I just find that so inspiring.

I asked co-founder Jennifer Ger a few questions about it all.

great-earrings-in-silver9631309

A lot of your inspiration comes from recent travels.  Which was your favourite destination and why?  
Suzie and I went to Tokyo in an inspiration trip and found the city to be incredibly inspiring.  Japanese culture places major value on aesthetics and presentation.  As such, the shops were so well curated, and the outfits and fashions there were incredible.  Even the way food is presented has a major design element.
In terms of a future trip for inspiration, we are both big fans of open air markets and would love to visit the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
deco-necklace-in-bronze9401685
You guys are very successful with jewelry for sale in hundreds of boutiques around the world.  What do you think it is about your business that has made you such a Canadian success story? 

Thanks for saying that.Well, one of the ways that we’ve been able to continuously design pieces that our customers love to wear is by going to many events and meeting our customers face to face.  This direct interaction helps us to build relationships with our customers so we can really understand what they are looking for in the jewelry pieces they buy. Foxy customers are smart, practical and fashionable.  It’s a fine balance that we must strike between trendy and wearable when it comes to jewlery and getting to know our customers has helped us define this balance.  From the Calgary stampede to the One of a Kind Show we participate in events that give us the opportunity to meet and interact directly with our customers.  There’s nothing better than direct feedback.

Additionally, we treat every day as if it’s our first day in business.  We apply the same drive and stamina to Foxy as we did when we set out.  There is no time to rest on our laurels…there are boutiques to pitch and new collections to be designed!
dove-earrings-in-gold10591846
Any tips for other entrepreneurs who want to take that first step and start off on their own?

Mostly, you have to have endurance and a complete dedication towards what you’re doing. There are days when everyone will doubt you ( maybe even your mom) and it’s you, and only you, that you have to cheer you on. Other entrepreneurs might make it look easy but I guarantee you behind them there has been tremendous work and often many small failures.  Entrepreneurs just have a different way of looking at things.  They see failures as bumps in the road rather than roadblocks. You can’t be afraid to fail.

necklace
Nope, nope, not a model – just me modelling my Foxy Originals necklace…..
Thanks so much to Jennifer for answering all my questions and check out their jewelry here.  It’s very affordable AND adorable!

 

Leave a Comment

Michelle Little

Writer & Photographer

Originally from the prairies and now in Montreal, I love exploring new places, eating great food and modern design. I'm mom of two wild things and paper and cake make me happy. Photographing your cutie family would make me very happy.

Instagram Photos