For many entrepreneurs and small businesses, social media can be an absolute game-changer! All it takes is one viral post and a business can suddenly take off.
At Like A Voss Inc, we’re highlighting local businesses and entrepreneurs who are killing the online game. This week’s spotlight is on Brooklyn Fuller, owner of Modern Crystallization!
Modern Crystallization is a local online crystal and metaphysical supply store that offers beautiful pieces for sale every Tuesday on Instagram Live and through Facebook.
Our girl Betina interviewed Brooklyn about her secret to success in business and in life. We also got some awesome insights into what they think makes social media such an effective tool in business.
A Little Bit About Being an Entrepreneur
1: How long have you been in business?
Just celebrated 1 year of business on February 2nd.
2: What made you decide to break away from the 9-5 and start Modern Crystallization?
Around the start of Covid I found myself at a temp job while my gym job was closed and frankly I hated my temp job. I saw so many people starting their own side hustles making masks or ear protectors and I thought to myself why do I work multiple jobs or jobs I don’t like when I could make money doing something I love and be my own boss, make my own hours etc.
When I started brainstorming what I could do, the first thing I thought of was my love For collecting and identifying crystals I’ve been into that since I was a little girl and still am at 23 so I began planning and when I lost my job during the 2nd shut down it was time to make it happen.
3: What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?
Honestly other than being in charge of myself and getting to do something I enjoy everyday. I love the customers. Not because they spend money but because my platform for sales is mostly live shows on my Instagram so I get to chat with customer in real time while they shop. A lot of them have gotten to know me personally and I have great relationships with all of them. We joke, catch up at order pickups, etc. It’s so encouraging to see how much people love what I do and look forward to my shows each week.
4: What is the hardest thing you have had to overcome as an entrepreneur? Something you did not foresee when you decided to start your own business?
It might sound silly but to me the hardest thing to overcome that I didn’t expect to be hard was getting organized once I launched. When I started out I had very little capital so I needed to research well priced and trustworthy wholesalers with good quality pieces. Which in the crystal business is hard, it can take a while to make those connections with sellers so you have room to actually make a good profit off of the items.
Also keeping track of invoicing, spending and shipping is very tedious and hard to do unless you’re well organized, so I had to go through a lot of trial and error on what worked best for me.
5: What is one thing about working in your industry that people would be surprised to learn?
Crystals have trends just like a lot of things so there are types that spike in popularity or lose their value.
For example the Moldavite craze which sparked a lot of fakes being sold because of how expensive it was. Or recently when Blue Lace Agate Mining returns became low smaller pieces are more expensive now and harder to acquire.
And Now Onto The Social Media Questions!
6: Do you have a favorite social media platform? Why?
I would say Instagram is my favorite because it’s easier to work with than the Facebook Business Platform. Though Facebook Business is great for pre setting up posts for sale or events, I get a lot more interaction from customers through Instagram.
7: What made you decide to start using social media as a way to promote your company?
Social media is the biggest form of communication and advertising for our generation. The average person has multiple platform accounts so they will see you and your product guaranteed at some point as long as you’re an active influencer. You can’t beat free advertising.
8: How has social media impacted your business? Would you say that it’s an effective marketing tool?
I would say social media is 100% an effective marketing tool. I know without my online following especially in a Covid world I wouldn’t be able to cut it financially doing just in person vendor shows and I wouldn’t’ reach a lot of my target audience or typical customer with traditional methods of advertising like newspaper, etc.
9: What advice would you give to other businesses and entrepreneurs who want to use social media as a way to connect with customers?
Stay active and committed to posting. Algorithms make it very hard to stay on people’s main feed so you need to be confident, have lots of content and post regularly.
Connect with Brooklyn
Know A Voss Boss?
Do you know a Voss Boss who loves social media as much as we do? Contact us today – we’d love to tell her story!
