Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamey Gresham.
Hi Jamey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
J. LOWERY was founded because we saw a gap in the contemporary handbag market. We couldn’t find timeless pieces that still had a contemporary edge at an attainable price. There are very few handbag lines based in our region, and we wanted to start a brand here that the South could be proud of! We wanted to create bags that you can wear from season to season that also elevate your look. From there, we started sketching, and we eventually flew to New York with a folder filled with sketches to meet with manufacturers — and it all started from there.
From day one, our goal has been to design accessories for the women who inspire and influence us each day. We wanted to make bags that could take them seamlessly from one event to the next in their lives. Aside from functionality for day-to-day, we like to think of our customers as everyday influencers. Our style choices are a form of self-expression and tell the world how we feel about ourselves. We wanted to make it possible for these women to confidently tell others who they are through their handbag.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning a small business means you wear a lot of hats and very different hats. In the beginning, the biggest challenge in owning a business was the learning curve. We have to put as much effort into the “uninteresting” areas as we do the fun parts, and we’re constantly learning how to get better in all aspects. We launched in 2019, so the pandemic definitely helped us grow up quickly as business owners. It forced us to rethink our marketing and growth strategies, and though it was challenging, it humbled us in a huge way. That same picot and get back up and try something new model is vital to owning a small business. perspective is everything in owning your own business. You have to stay willing and ready for any challenges that come your way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I think our most unique factor is that we are our own customer. We have a clear understanding of what our customer is looking for because in many ways, we walk in her shoes. We understand her day-to-day and her desire for what she carries to accommodate her lifestyle. We’re able to relate to our customer on such a personal level, and that, to us, is incredibly unique!
Our customer is a woman who needs something practical for every day and also wants something timeless and distinct. She leads a busy life, needs something reliable, and also wants to make sure what she’s wearing expresses her style and who she is. We always refer to her as an “everyday influencer” because she knows what she wants and is confident in her style. When it comes to designing, we keep her at top of mind. We also make sure to ask ourselves if our designs are something we would want to wear ourselves and would they work well in our day-to-day.
What matters most to you?
Good things take time. The impression in a startup environment is that if you work circles around everyone, you will get there quicker. This may be true for some, but we have learned so much of owning your own business is trusting your vision and having the patience to see it through. The bigger picture takes time.
Contact Info:
- Website: shopjlowery.com
- Instagram: @shopjlowery
