Okay… Emma Johnson is an absolute rockstar. She is the girl behind the really fun jewelry line Em John and she just started her senior year of high school! Emma emailed me to tell me about her bracelets. I spent about four minutes on her website before I decided that I absolutely had to meet her. We met up recently to chat and I’m really excited to be sharing more about Emma and Em John with you today!
What’s the story behind Em John?
I’ve always been obsessed with jewelry, especially bracelets, and I’m interested in entrepreneurship. So a year ago as I started thinking more seriously about college I wondered if I could start a business to generate enough revenue to pre-pay for my education. Almost overnight I started designing charms, I found a manufacturer, and I posted a few on Instagram. Friends instantly asked if they could buy them. When peers are willing to pay you cash, not just a compliment, you know you’re onto something.
Do you have a mentor or someone who has helped guide you?
My mom is my best mentor. For 15 years she has been a small business owner and she does a segment every week on ABC’s Good Morning America where she features products that she discovers. She has a great head for business and has helped me with everything from sourcing to pricing to pitching retailers. She is also my best friend and my biggest champion. She introduces me to other business owners who’ve also given me lots of advice and ideas. She doesn’t think there’s anything that I can’t do, which really bolsters my confidence.
You’re still in high school; how do you balance school work with growing your company?
After years of sleep-away camp and a community service trip to Ecuador, I chose to spend this past summer working exclusively on my business. I created good systems that I am hoping will help me during my all-important and highly-stressful senior year. I try to treat the business just like friends treat their commitment to sports or other extra curricular activities. It’s not a chore or a burden. We all make time for what’s important to us. Em John is extremely important to me.
Do you have advice for other girls who want to do the same?
I’d say don’t over-think it. Just dive in. You won’t know what works and what doesn’t until you just start doing it. You can spend weeks and months plotting and planning, but there’s nothing like reality. Also, a business only works if you can generate sales — otherwise it’s a hobby. So learn early on to have confidence in your pricing and to ask for the sale.
What’s one thing that happened that you didn’t expect when you started Em John?
I never expected stores to find me. I was stunned the first time a store owner in New Jersey contacted me after seeing my stuff on Instagram. It really showed me the power of social media, not just for fun, but for business.
You’ve already seen great success with your jewelry line, what’s your proudest moment?
I love when customers post photos wearing their Em Johns. Seeing my creation on their wrists always makes me smile. I’m especially proud that my first collaboration came from a request from Oprah Magazine to design an exclusive Em John bracelet for O’s new Circle of Friends program and national tour. Seeing Oprah and Em John in the same sentence is pretty awesome for anyone, but especially for a 17 year old student.
How did you figure out how to get started?
I didn’t think too much, which I think now was ideal. I just started playing with designs and posting them for feedback. People are very honest about what they love and what they don’t. Customers have guided many of my decisions since then. If I had spent tons of time planning and not enough time getting it out there, I don’t think it would have taken off. Too often we’re scared to share our ideas because we think people will steal them. It’s better to share them and hope that people care enough to pay attention.
Do you have any cool things coming up?
It’s funny because everyone asks, what’s next, what’s next. The owner of a boutique in Chicago placed an order and called me when it arrived. She said, “I love it all…what’s new, what’s next?” I had to laugh and say, “Wait, it’s only been five minutes—enjoy what you have and I promise to show you new stuff soon!” I knew the pressure was on. For fall I’ve created a line of neon emojis with wood beads. We usually use our signature rubber beads, so this is a big change. We’ll also have special sets—stacks—for the holidays that celebrate life and love and luck. I can’t wait!
Where do you get inspiration from?
My friends and my neighborhood. I live on the Upper West Side in New York City and there’s color and cool stuff everywhere. Whether I’m walking my dog or FaceTiming with friends, I also spot things that lead me to think of cool charm designs.
Three fun facts about yourself:
I’m a twin! My brother Jake is my best friend.
I’ve been to 40 US states.
I’m obsessed with Essie nail polish! I own over 40 different colors.
What do you like to do for fun on the weekend?
Weekends are for fun and work. Since I’ve chosen to build this business, Em John is always a part of my weekends. Sometimes that means a trunk show at a cool store. I love getting fro yo or coffee with friends. Walking with my mom in Central Park—and getting manis, which we do together every Sunday. Shopping, of course. My family is very close, so hanging with my parents is a big part of my weekends too.
Wow, what an incredible person! I think at her age I was mostly thinking about boys and keeping down a minimum wage job, haha. Those bracelets are adorable, too.
It is definitely inspiring to see a girl so young able to pursue a business like this. Women and girls are proving they are forces to be reckoned with in the business world which is always amazing to see. Congrats to Emma!
Nice bracelet. You can get exclusive and gorgeous bracelet here. I think you have to agree with me that this bracelet price is very reasonable than others. So choose the best one and take it without any confusion. http://www.moyerfinejewelers.com/
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
We got a mama-approved family photo of the four of us 👏🏻 I wasn’t really paying attention to our calendar while in the end of pregnancy/newborn bubble and realized quite late that Jack had some time off from daycare and preschool this week. Mike and I quickly decided to book a last minute trip to Florida to visit my family and enjoy the warm weather ☀️
Neither Emma nor her jewelry could be cuter! I love all the fun brands I learn about on your blog. Very cool!
— Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo
Wow, what an incredible person! I think at her age I was mostly thinking about boys and keeping down a minimum wage job, haha. Those bracelets are adorable, too.
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
It is so crazy to see girls my age doing such big things– I love it! A huge congrats to Emma and I love the bracelets! They are all so cute!
Hunter
Prep on a Budget
This is so awesome! It sounds like a great company & the bracelets are adorable!
Kristin
Crumbs & Curls
simply amazing. <3 Enjoying reading your posts, waiting for the next post;) xx Peach
http://momomoworld.blogspot.com
How fun and interesting – she is very inspiring! I loveeee the TCP charm 🙂
It is definitely inspiring to see a girl so young able to pursue a business like this. Women and girls are proving they are forces to be reckoned with in the business world which is always amazing to see. Congrats to Emma!
– Kelsey
http://kelseydefined.wordpress.com/
She is an inspiring personality.. hard work always pays off !
She is so cute and so are those bracelets! I will definitely have to check them out. She is so inspiring!
Michaela || The Monogrammed Midwesterner
Oh these bracelets are too cute!! What a great inspiration to other girls, young & old!
Erica @ Girl, Organized
She looks great!! So grateful to be a part of the shoot! xoxo m
Nice bracelet. You can get exclusive and gorgeous bracelet here. I think you have to agree with me that this bracelet price is very reasonable than others. So choose the best one and take it without any confusion. http://www.moyerfinejewelers.com/