Crystal Whitener
Martinsville, VA (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
Believe In Growth
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Startup
Location:
Martinsville
Industry:
Internet
Year Founded:
2011
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Business Stage:
Growth (profitable)
Entity Type:
Not Incorporated
Description:
I have started an online business selling vintage items. I have not reached the stage of obtaining a business license, however I have made profit on every item I sell. I am a convicted felon, it is very difficult to find employment, I also have children to care for. When my grandmother died, my father gave me her jewelry (URL removed) course there were not any jewels that one may consider of value inside of the jewelry box.
In an attempt to scrap some of the sterling silver for money, I took one of my grandmothers charm bracelets to a scrap jewelry store and was offered $20...I thought to myself that the bracelet had way more sentimental value than $20 and decided to tough out my financial rut.
I began researching antique and vintage costume jewelry. Well, the sterling silver charm bracelet had 42 sterling charms, I took each charm of the bracelet and put the state map charms up for sale individually. I made $21 dollars on the sale of 3 individual charms, and $60 on the actual bracelet.
So I started putting all my jewelry up for (URL removed) I sold more I began going to flea markets and buying vintage designer signed jewelry for very low prices (.50 - $3) and reselling these items for triple to quadruple the amount I invested.
(URL removed)
The first purpose of Believe In Growth is to enable myself to become self sufficient and get off of government assistance. The ultimate purpose is to create a non profit that will help guide and/or employ ex-offenders to creatively start their own small business according to their personal talents or interests.