Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Bennett And Kelsey Williams.
Hi Robin Bennett and Kelsey Williams, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Kelsey: Back in early 2022, I had always loved wearing polymer clay earrings because they are lightweight and come in so many different designs and colors. I’ve always been crafty, so one day I thought, “Why not try making these myself?” I was instantly hooked.
Robin: I saw what Kelsey was creating and thought it looked so interesting. It also reminded me of earrings a friend and I used to make back in the 1980s. While we used a different medium, the technique was very similar, so it felt nostalgic to get creative with earrings again. The same friend actually came with me the first time Kelsey taught me how to make polymer clay earrings. Like Kelsey, I was immediately hooked.
Kelsey: Mom and I started diving deeper into the world of polymer clay, researching different styles and techniques and learning all the ways you can create unique designs. After spending some time practicing and honing our newfound craft, we posted a few of our creations on Facebook to share with friends and family. To our surprise, people weren’t just interested in seeing them—they wanted to buy them, too.
Robin: At the time, I was working as a district manager in retail and was getting close to retirement. That’s when Kelsey and I started thinking that maybe we could turn this hobby into a small business.
Kelsey: We started at our local farmers market and gradually expanded into other vendor events and festivals. As we continued to grow, so did our inventory, our customer base, and the opportunities available to us.
Robin: Next, we began reaching out to local stores to see if they would be interested in carrying our products. We started with a few locations, found some wonderful partnerships, and now our jewelry can be found in eight locations throughout New Bern and the Crystal Coast. We still participate in farmers markets, vendor events, and festivals, but we also now have our own website and offer custom orders.
Kelsey: Over the years, we’ve expanded beyond polymer clay earrings and now create necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and magnets as well. We are always looking for new things to create. One of our favorite additions has been charm jewelry. We now offer a fully stocked Charm Bar where customers can create their own necklace, bracelet, bag charm, or hat pin. We bring our Charm Bar to every event, but we also offer private Charm Bar parties for birthdays, bridal and baby showers, girls’ nights, local businesses, and more.
Kelsey: Rewinding to November 2023, I had my son while still working a full-time job. I felt like I was missing out on precious moments with him, so I took a leap of faith and left my full-time career to focus on growing the business and spending more time with my family. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made—second only to marrying my husband.
Robin: The success of our business has allowed Kelsey to be more present for her son while still contributing to her family’s income. A few months ago, we started brainstorming new ways to expand the business and came up with the idea of a mobile boutique. As luck would have it, the perfect trailer popped up on Facebook Marketplace. It was already partially converted, and we immediately saw its potential.
With a lot of hard work, creativity, and help from my husband, we transformed it into something that truly reflects our brand. We are excited to debut our mobile boutique on June 20 at a local vendor event.
While the journey hasn’t always been easy, it has been incredibly rewarding. The time Kelsey and I have spent building this business together is something we never would have had otherwise. I also get to spend so much time with my grandson, and that’s truly the icing on the cake.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Robin: Kelsey and I have very similar personalities, so while spending this much time together has been incredibly rewarding, it has also come with its challenges. Like any business partners—and especially as mother and daughter—we’ve had to learn how to navigate disagreements and different perspectives. Over time, we’ve learned to communicate better, listen to each other’s needs, and work through challenges together. In many ways, I think it’s made both of us better people.
Kelsey: I agree with Mom. We get along most of the time, but we definitely have moments when we butt heads. We’re constantly working on improving our communication, both in business and in our personal relationship. Another challenge has been learning how to separate business time from family time. That’s a difficult line to draw, and honestly, we cross it all the time. When you own a small business, it can feel like you’re always “on”—answering messages, creating social media content, preparing for events, or discussing the next product launch. Finding balance can be tough, but we’re continually learning how to make time for both the business and our family.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Robin: I grew up in the retail world and spent my entire career there, from age 16 until retirement. Throughout the years, I held many different roles, including Store Manager, Assistant Buyer, and eventually District Manager. Working with several different brands gave me valuable experience in business operations, merchandising, customer service, and team leadership. Those experiences helped me develop the skills needed to grow and manage a successful business, and I’ve been able to apply much of that knowledge to our jewelry business.
While I enjoy being creative and come up with a lot of our designs, I naturally gravitate more toward the business side of things and let Kelsey execute the artistic vision. I think that balance is one of our greatest strengths. What sets us apart is our ability to offer custom and personalized pieces, as well as the fact that many of our designs are hand-painted. We’ve also worked hard to refine our product offerings based on customer feedback, allowing us to create pieces that truly resonate with our audience.
What I’m most proud of is that this business has given Kelsey the opportunity to spend more time with her son while still contributing financially to her family’s future. That’s something I never take for granted.
Kelsey: Art has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I attended countless art camps, took art classes throughout school, and spent time learning from my uncle, who is an incredible artist. Many people don’t know that my dad is also very talented, especially when it comes to drawing, and my grandmother was artistic as well. Creativity has always been a part of my life.
When I went to college, pursuing art as a career didn’t feel like a realistic option. You always hear about the “starving artist” stereotype, so I chose a different path and earned a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology because it was the only other field that genuinely interested me. After graduation, I spent about seven years working in that industry, but eventually realized I wasn’t happy. Life is too short to spend it doing something that doesn’t bring you joy.
Starting this business gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my creative side and turn a lifelong passion into a career. I agree with Mom that what sets us apart is the level of customization we offer and the fact that many of our pieces are hand-painted. Being able to create something meaningful and unique for our customers is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the joy our pieces bring to people is one of the most fulfilling parts of what we do.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Robin: The connections we’ve made with other vendors and local businesses have played a huge role in our success. Along the way, we’ve met so many talented and inspiring small business owners. It’s a very supportive community where people genuinely want to see each other succeed. We share advice, recommend opportunities, support one another at events, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Those relationships have been invaluable to our growth.
Kelsey: I completely agree with Mom. Some of the people we’ve met through this business have become great friends, and that sense of community has been incredibly rewarding. Another characteristic that has contributed to our success is our strong work ethic. Growing up, both of my parents taught me the importance of working hard and taking pride in what you do, and that’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my life.
There are many days when Mom and I are each putting in 12-hour days, whether it’s creating products, preparing for events, managing our website and social media, or working on new ideas for the business. We care deeply about the quality of our products and the experience we provide our customers, and we’re willing to put in the time and effort to make sure everything meets the standards we’ve set for ourselves. We truly believe that hard work, consistency, and a commitment to quality have been key factors in our success.
Pricing:
- $12-$20 Polymer Clay Earrings
- $15-$25 Polymer Clay Necklaces
- $15-$18 Polymer Clay Bracelets
- $10-$15 Keychains & Magnets
- $20+ Charm Bar
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.randkclayco.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/randkclayco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GS3drpei4/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://linktr.ee/randkclayco
