LJ Jewelry’s Journey Through the Years
My first business, LJ Jewelry, has evolved significantly over the years, under going multiple website transitions as I worked to establish myself while completing my college education. I began this small business as a way to outlet of my creativity, initially inspired by the Texas Performance Standards Project (TSPS) class at Wylie East High School. LJ Jewelry began on the Etsy platform, and I have participated in several trade shows throughout the years, including our local Bluegrass on Ballard festival!
At the end of the class, I delivered a speech evaluated by other professionals in the field, and has become a prized memory of my leadership, creative nature, and strong support system I built through that course. After high school, I followed the typical path: working and attending college. LJ Jewelry had officially been placed on the back burner, but still alive through local sales and forever in the back of mind.
Through countless long hours at The University of Dallas, juggling full-time jobs, volunteering summers through Girl Scouts, navigating a global pandemic, changing schools and professions to stay afloat, and ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Phoenix, I’ve gained invaluable lessons in my short journey as an adult.
In 2023, LJ Jewelry was rebranded and reborn as LJ Designs on Shopify. This platform allowed me to create a personal shop experience with fee-free listing services and a low monthly rate to operate the site. Combining the knowledge from my college education with my personal creativity and expertise, LJ Designs became a testament to my growth and dedication.
Previously, I listed my handmade items on Etsy, utilizing their platform to reach more patrons. However, recurring per-item fees started adding up over time, so it was time for change. This led to a small but significant rebrand from LJ Jewelry to LJ Designs, allowing my jewelry craft to expand and intersect with my Computer Science education.
By learning graphic design, I’ve mastered tools like Canva, Procreate, and Google Analytics, further enhancing my skillset beyond my Computer Science degree. Transitioning platforms to Shopify allowed me more flexibility to list a wider variety of products and easily add more with their diverse on-demand apps. Utilizing features such as Printful for on-demand printing on many different items and the many social media tools seamlessly integrate social medias together, Shopify has given me a comprehensive and professional platform.
However, with my new education comes new goals. While I plan to continue LJ Designs, I am shifting my focus toward aspirations more aligned with my recent Computer Science degree, such as launching TechSupportByLaura.
Tech Support by Laura 