I met Carloyne years ago when we had the pleasure of shooting her wedding and rehearsal dinner. We instantly fell in love with her and her family. The elegance she had that day is one she carries daily. Her style is effortless and ever so chic. Whether she is donning a fun black dress to a wedding or wearing her favorite lulu’s, her trademark is to always be wearing a fabulous piece of jewelry to top it all off. Her love for accessories most recently became a small side business that is continually growing for people like me who are constantly asking, “where did you get that?” I was thrilled when Carolyne allowed me to come shoot some of her goods in her gorgeous home in which she designed herself. She is one with many talents and am honored to feature Shop Bijou here.
CONVERSATIONS WITH CAROLYN
LETS TALK BUSINESS…
HOW DID THE IDEA FOR SHOP BIJOU COME ABOUT?
My mom and I have always thought selling fun, trendy accessories would be such a fun thing to do - to sell items that do not cost a total fortune and to still be able to keep up with the trends. We have always loved fashion and being in the know about the new trends. We would go to market in Atlanta and come home with fun new accessories for us and my sister. My extended family, friends and neighbors all wanted in on it too. I started to purchase 1 or 2 extra of something that I thought was really cute and fashionable. I would then sell to friends and neighbors at my house after work - friends of friends would come over and “shop” at my kitchen table. It became so popular that I decided to make an instagram account to post pictures on instead of having people constantly in and out of my house after work and on the weekends. I have to give most of the credit to my mom for encouraging me to take the risk and do it! “Bijou” means jewel in french. I have to give my cousin credit for coming up with the name.
HOW DID YOUR PASSION FOR FASHION FLOURISH INTO A FULL-FLEDGE CAREER?
Funny thing is - I still have a full-time job and Shop Bijou is just my “side hustle”. I am very passionate about my full-time job. I am the Customer Support Manager for a medical software company, Vincari, based here in Birmingham. I have been with the company since I graduated college in May of 2015. I give my all to Vincari during normal work hours and Shop Bijou at night when I get home from work. My husband likes to say “when is my wife getting home!” Having this “side hustle” has given me a great appreciation for those who have started their own company or work two jobs. Often, there are nights I stay up way too late pondering new ideas and filling orders, but so far it has been worth the lack of sleep. Watching Shop Bijou grow has been an incredible journey that has taught me to be extra patient in order to ensure the customer is satisfied and to take risks. If you do not take risks, you will not get anywhere in your journey. The worst that happens is that you learn from your mistake and move forward being grateful that you can move on and learn from the mistake. Trial and error is key. You cannot perfect anything in the first try.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF HAVING YOUR OWN START-UP BUSINESS?
Nowadays, ordering online, we expect everything to be shipped and at our doorstep within two days of purchase. The biggest challenge I have faced thus far starting Shop Bijou is keeping up with all of the orders in a timely manner. I used to post on instagram and have people comment “SOLD” with their venmo account. I would go through and direct message each person on instagram, ask for their address and then venmo charge them for the product + shipping if need be. Doing this manually was a challenge as I would fall behind and misplace an order here and there on accident. I was frustrated with the fact that people assumed it would be at their house within two days, but I had to realize that is what people expect now. Quickly realizing that instagram comments were not going to work long term as I continued to grow, I decided it was time to create a website that would help save time and ship orders faster. Creating the website has changed my life! I can post a picture on instagram and attach the link to my website there - this has been a total game changer. I am able to quickly package the order and deliver it in a timely manner. I am still struggling with the inventory aspect. I do not want to be drowning in a lot of inventory so I am careful about how much I purchase at one time. I have made plenty of mistakes and taken plenty of risks but I continue to push forward and learn in order to grow Shop Bijou.
HAVE YOU RECEIVED A PIECE OF BUSINESS ADVICE YOU SWEAR BY?
I try and absorb everything I hear and read. I like to listen to what others have to say - friends, family, experts, etc. My husband is a huge Tim Ferriss fan and is constantly giving me advice from his podcasts. I love the quote that Tim said, “Think big and don’t listen to people who tell you it can’t be done. Life’s too short to think small.” Easier said than done, but I like to forget the reasons that it will not work and believe in the one reason that it will.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE…
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
Simple. I try not to over do it. I do LOVE a good pair of sneakers! I would rather wear a simple outfit and put on some fun jewelry with it. I try and stay in style but I do not break the bank trying to keep up with the latest and greatest. I am pretty good at finding the knockoffs - I will thank my mom for that talent.
WHAT ARE THREE PIECES OF FASHION YOU DEEM STAPLES?
Comfortable sneakers ( by that I mean cute / fashionable sneakers ) not running shoes, a good pair of workout leggings - I prefer lululemon and a good pair of jeans that you feel great in.
WHAT IS THE BEST LIFE ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
To truly put God first in my life. In order to do that, I have to let go of what others think and follow my heart. When I put God first, I give myself a voice that expresses myself in a way that is true to me. No one can bring you down and stop you from dreaming big except yourself.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR 18 YEAR OLD SELF ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Be confident in everything. Age doesn’t matter - an open and creative mind does matter.
ON HOME LIFE…
READ OR HEAR ANYTHING LATELY THAT YOU LOVED?
I am a big fan of all (literally all) of Elin Hilderbrand’s books. My favorite this year has been “The Perfect Couple.” I am a sucker for a fun, flirty novel.
I have also been listening to a podcast series from the WSJ called, “Secret’s of Wealthy Women.” It is really cool to hear successful women speak on their stories and hearing that they started in the same place as I did. I find it inspiring seeing that they too have had challenges in getting to where they are now.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPACE OF YOUR HOME AND WHY?
Depends on the season, our screen porch basically becomes our den when the weather cooperates. In the cold winter months, I would have to say my favorite area is our den off of the kitchen. My sweet husband is normally the one who cooks dinner so I can be in the den and still have conversation with him while he cooks.
FAVORITE COCKTAIL?
A good mint mojito is my all time favorite cocktail. They are so refreshing - my favorite place to drink one is on the beach from The Great Southern Restaurant in Seaside.
IMAGINE YOU HAD A WHOLE DAY-OFF WITH NO WORK TO THINK OF, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND THE DAY?
Without a doubt I would spend the day at the beach reading. When I am down there, I feel like there is no worry in the world and I do not have to be on any time constraints. I normally sit down on the sand until the sun goes down. Watching the he sunset is my favorite part of the day.
SINCE I AM CURRENTLY ON MY OWN INTENTIONS KICK, WHAT IS YOUR 2019 INTENTION {GOAL} FOR THE YEAR AND ONE ACTION YOU ARE TAKING TO GET THERE?
Hmmmm! I am not going to publicly announce my main goal for 2019 as of yet, but I will say that I hope you will soon see Shop Bijou other places than Instagram and Facebook!
Follow Carolyne on her shop IG, here. Also be sure to visit the fabulous Shop Bijou, here.
