Marketing for independent jeweler designers led this mom to her own venture on-line. Sue Kunze had been in advertising on the account management side for many years before she decided to take a break. When she thought about going back to work, she didn’t like the idea of losing control over her life. Through a local source and with a strong resume, Sue was able to get a local part time marketing job for a jewelry designer, Monica Rich Kosann who is a national jewelry brand. “My skill set aligned well with helping them launch their on line store. ” Sue was in charge of developing the site, setting up operations and marketing the new ecommerce platform. 
“It was like I had my own division within the firm.” Working 20 hours a week, Sue did all the marketing, management, and fulfillment. With that project complete, she partnered with a former associate to provide counsel to small businesses including severaljewelry designers who built web sites but had little to no traffic. “Just because you build it doesn’t mean buyers will come.”
All of this background got Sue thinking about the 1000s of independent designers who were struggling to have an on line presence. That was in July 2013. By October, Sue had contracted with 9 jewelry lines that she liked. Sue came up with her name, Visible Interest, and worked with a tech person to design her site and install a store front. The designers send photos, prices and descriptions and Sue puts the pieces in her on line marketplace. Sue doesn’t hold any inventory but when she gets a sale she sends an order to “drop/ship” to the designer. There is no cost to be on the site.
But Sue has a discerning eye and chooses modern jewelry that appeals to her. “Clean-lined designs are what I look for. I have a very modern aesthetic that is a little bit glam and a little bit edge..” She believes that many of the designers are so busy with the creative side that they don’t have time for the business side.
For the buyer, Visible Interest wants to be known as the place to go for that perfect modern piece to complete an outfit. “When you go to Etsy and search earrings, you may get over 1000 pairs to look at. I’ve done all of the searching for the buyer.” Whether fashion or fine, prices start at $50 and go to $4,000 and higher.
With her marketing background, Sue is very creative about pushing the site to the public through the media and social media. “My venture is still in its infancy but it is so much fun.” When asked about what she misses at a corporate scenario, she says three things, “The people I was able to interact with, the clothes I got to wear every day and the on-site tech team.” She says she meets regularly with other women entrepreneurs to build a community, share resources and help each other grow. Sue is planning to add a blog to her marketing plan, but is happy with her initial traffic, especially over the holidays. “I love the control I have working for myself.”
Contact: [email protected] , https://www.visibleinterest.com
VentureMom Tip
Start an on line marketplace in your area of expertise.
