Sometimes the smallest joys create the greatest impact. Case in point: the little beaded bracelets Loren Williams’ mom gifted her to commemorate her son’s first day of kindergarten. Little did she know that small gesture would set in motion a life-changing venture.
For Williams, jewelry became, quite literally, the silver lining to a time of her life filled with uncertainty. It was 2020—the throes of the pandemic—when she found a new outlet, hand-stringing posh beaded bracelets and eventually creating jewelry collection that would include rings, earrings and a high-end luxury line. Five years later, she’s turned the hobby into a growing business, with her jewelry displayed in stores around North Texas. We talked with Williams about her unexpected titles—jewelry designer and businesswoman—and her other (and favorite) job: Mom.
Interview with Loren Williams
DFWChild: Tell us how you went from stay-at-home mom to jewelry designer?
Loren Williams: It was Cole’s first day of kindergarten which was this huge milestone. You have a lot of emotions, especially with the oldest—you’re excited for them but you’re also sad. I was crying that day, feeling it all. And in an attempt to cheer me up, my mom showed up on my doorstep with this little set of bracelets. That little gift put a smile on my face and it also just sparked something inside me—I was like, ‘I want my name to be on something that makes someone’s day better.’
“I still cannot believe my art is something people look at and buy and gift. It’s humbling.”
C: So you started making jewelry?
LW: At first it was kind of for myself because I really wanted a piece of jewelry with my kids’ names on it. And it was fun; we were right in the middle of COVID, and I had a lot of time at home. I used to paint a little and this was kind of a new creative outlet. Paint is messy and you can’t just step away from a painting, but you can step away from a bracelet.
I had no idea what I was doing at first, but I knew I wanted to do it, knew I wanted to learn. So I started researching, praying about things, asking questions, learning. And as I began making jewelry people started asking about it—friends, family, followers—it just started growing.
C: And now your line is several retail stores. That must feel a little surreal?
LW: My first retail experience was a pop-up event at Alice + Olivia in Highland Park Village. It was so fun and my sales were through the roof and I was like, ‘Oh, OK maybe I am legit? Maybe this is a real brand that people enjoy.’ Then slowly I did some other pop-ups and eventually was asked to be a permanent vendor at Swoozies [and several other stores]. It was like a dream I never knew I had. Walking into the store I’ll see the collection and think, wow those are really pretty, and I made those! I still cannot believe my art is something people look at and buy and gift. It’s humbling.
C: What do your boys think of your business?
LW: They know that I really love making jewelry and when we say our prayers at night they’ll say, ‘Thank you that Mommy gets stay home and make bracelets.’ It’s so sweet. And it’s neat for them to see that I’m doing something that I enjoy.
I like to include them in little ways in the business. If a teacher orders something, they’ll deliver it to them. I’ve taken them up to the stores and they’ve helped display things and put barcodes on the back. My oldest is like, ‘Wait, are you famous?’ (laughs) It’s cute because they’re like, ‘Wow, my mom did that.’ And I want to make them proud too.
C: How do you juggle being a business owner with motherhood?
LW: It’s really easy for me because my priorities are set: I am a mommy first. It is my favorite job and my most important job. I’m open with customers about that too—I’ll say, ‘Hey this weekend we have like six games and a tournament and I’m not going to be able to work on your order for a couple weeks.’ And everyone understands and respects that.
C: What’s a typical day in your life?
LW: I’m a creature of habit. Once I get the boys out the door to school, that’s when my time starts. I eat my breakfast, do my Bible devotion, indulge in a little reading. Then I don’t let myself do anything else before I get my exercise in because I feel better when I’m moving. Then I spend a few hours each day working on orders, on my website or my line sheet. Then I typically have to go to the grocery store, because I have two boys! When I pick them up and our evenings are crazy going to and from sports.
C: Does that mean dinner is on the go?
LW: Actually, no. We sit down and eat dinner together every single night at home. Sometimes it’s before a game at like 5 o’clock, and sometimes it’s more like 8 o’clock, but we always have that time together and chat about our days.
C: What’s been your favorite stage raising kids?
LW: Honestly, it’s whatever stage we are in. I like to put their little faces in my hands and tell them, ‘I love you just how you are, the way you are right now.’ I don’t want them to grow up and I don’t want to go back either. I just like the right now.
C: What advice would you give another mompreneur?
LW: If there’s a feeling that you have about something, that’s been placed on your heart for a reason and you should investigate it, ask questions about it, research it. Something great may happen for you or your family or somebody else. But I think you also need to make sure you have balance … you don’t want to lose yourself in something. Maintain your role as a mother but do something that you like, or you’re interested in, or something that makes you feel powerful.
RELATED: Meet Sarah-Allen Preston, Founder of Afloat Gifting App
Loren’s 5 Favorites for Work and Play
1. Life at the Ranch
“If somehow our weekend schedule is empty, you’ll find us at our ranch about two hours outside of Dallas,” says Williams. “We love spending time there—it’s such a treat because we are so busy at home. We have pet deer, goats, exotic animals like blackbuck and oryx. We love to host family and friends at the ranch. There’s this great outdoor space with a huge firepit where we make s’mores. It’s in Graham, a super cute town with great shopping, so when the boys are hunting, I’ll sneak away and shop.”
2. Family Time at the Cowboys Headquarters
“My like to go up to The Star in Frisco and bring a football and have their own game. They have this little football field among all the restaurants. We’ll go have lunch and then they go and throw the football around,” says Williams. “They really think they’re one of the Cowboys when they’re there.”
3. At-Home Date Night
“Every night is like a date night for us when we get the kids to bed because we truly enjoy just hanging out on the couch with each other, having a glass of wine and watching something on Netflix,” Williams says of staying connected to her husband, Matt. It’s also when she can indulge in a guilty pleasure. “Give me a glass of cabernet and a dark chocolate, and I’m happy.”
4. Friday Night Ritual
“For the past eight or so years, we go to Gloria’s Restaurant every Friday night. There’s about 16 of us in my family who all meet up and it’s a blast. It’s our end-of-the week celebrate and catch up with each other. It’s totally family-friendly—we love it because we can bring the kids and they can have a good old time because no one can hear them because the music is so loud!” Williams’ recommendation? “I get the same thing every week: brisket tacos. Delicious.”
5. Her Jewelry Line’s Name Bracelet
Williams could never choose among a favorite among her jewelry collection, but she has a hunch what her customers’ is. “I have made so many of the little name bracelets,” she says. “On custom orders, I like to include the client so they feel like they’re a part of making and designing the piece. And the customizations are endless, that’s what’s so fun about it. Name pieces are such a great gift for a mom or a grandmother. There’s just something about seeing—and wearing—your little ones’ names.”
RELATED: Meet Chocolatier Kate Weiser
Top photo courtesy Brandy Clark Photography
