Meet Natalie Brooks | Small Business Owner & Jewelry Artisan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Brooks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started working for a jewelry company at the age of 16 and continued until my mid-20’s. During this time, my boss and mentor really inspired me to pursue my own creativity and explore different possibilities. With her assistance, I established my own business in 2017, crafting and selling crystal and stone necklaces at a local shop in town. Every year, my business experienced gradual growth, and by 2023, I made the decision to devote myself fully to Natalie Clare Collections and prioritize it as my focus.

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Natalie Clare Collections is now a culmination of curated, handmade, and found jewelry. I primarily work with small batch collections that typically have an overarching theme, such as plants, fruit, romance, or a specific type of stone. I curate these collections with a thoughtful process, incorporating storytelling elements that reflect the identity of the customer and the reason behind their choice of each piece. Some pieces are crafted with painstakingly tiny chains, while others are carefully selected and added to the collection.
I think a key part of my success is my background. I worked for a jewelry wholesale company for 7 years, in addition to nearly 10 years of experience in retail. These experiences provided me with a deep understanding of what small businesses want and how they get it. Having knowledge of both the buying and selling aspects has given me a leg up on owning my own product-based business. Another factor contributing to my success is the privilege of being able to make the decision to go full-time without facing significant consequences.
I’m not going to lie, I am not a huge risk-taker, but I do admire those who are. It took me seven years to build my business and gain the confidence to pursue it full-time. Additionally, having my husband’s steady job as a safety net provided me with a sense of security. Transitioning from my retail job to focus solely on Natalie Clare Collections felt like a significant leap at the time, but I am grateful that I able to make that decision.
I think there’s something to be said for staying true to yourself. I have always taken pride in being authentic and keeping to my personality regardless of the situation. I love hearing comments such as “That’s something Natalie would say” or “I can tell this is yours”. I believe that authenticity is attractive to people, and being real attracts support for both you as a person and for your business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have lived in the area for over 20 years now, and it has been so much fun to watch it grow into what it is today. We all know how terrible Midwest winters can be, so I always advise my friends and family to visit during the summer. The Batavia Farmer’s Market and the Batavia Boardwalk Shops are usually part of my Saturday morning routine. My husband and I enjoy picking up some veggies and bread for the week, as well as grabbing a morning drink or treat. I am also a huge fan of the riverwalk and the native plant restoration project that is underway along the river. I love walking along the paths with friends. Lately, I have been considering going on a “bakery crawl” because of the many excellent bakeries we have in Batavia.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Nancy Neill was my first boss and mentor. She taught me about starting your own business, how to make an invoice and the most important was how to create jewelry.

Website: https://natalieclarecollections.com/

Instagram: https://natalieclarecollections.com/