Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Waschek.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am Mary, the owner and artist behind Mary’s Marketplace Jewelry. In 2010, I took a leap of faith and left the corporate world to do what I love.
Jewelry making caught my eye during a shopping trip to a mall with a beading supply store. I was immediately hooked, and started designing small jewelry items for myself, as well as some gifts for friends.
The inspiration for Mary’s Marketplace started during a parent/child class. The topic of the life changing session was about “accomplishments”. During the class, we discussed how so many people never follow their dreams and fail to accomplish the things they want to do. I had always wanted to start my own business, but was too afraid to try. I mentioned how much I enjoyed making jewelry to the group, and they asked to see some of my work. The next week I brought in a few items for my “show and tell” and the fun began…
I will be eternally grateful to the moms in this class who gave me the courage, motivation, and my first sale, to get me started! Because in January I became the founder of Mary’s Marketplace.
People close to me know I’m as frugal as they come. Recognized as a serious coupon clipper, bargain hunter extraordinaire, and black Friday specialist, I want the customers of Mary’s Marketplace to get great items for a great value-just like I live my life. So I hope you will find my items, beautiful, unique, and AFFORDABLE!!
When I am not designing and creating jewelry, I spend every second I can, loving on my husband of 24+ years and my three amazing boys, who keep busy with tennis, soccer, chess club, cross country, fishing and scouts. I am a complete SHOP-A HOLIC (love me a good vintage store), and a certified travel junkie. I travel any chance I get – life is short and there is so much of the world to see!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When you own your own business there are always bumps in the road. Am I good enough to be doing this, I ask myself daily? The pressure is there every single day to do better and to create a better version of yesterday. I would say definitely the biggest obstacle is trying to conquer the social media beast. It evolves and changes so fast every single day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I truly love my customers and try to get to know a little something about each and every one of them. When I design a custom piece of jewelry I want to feel the emotion when the client sees it. Everyone should have jewelry they LOVE to wear, and if it has special meaning, even better.
I create a lot of memorial jewelry, though I don’t advertise much for it, and those are by far the hardest, but by far the most rewarding. If I can help someone process their grief through a memorial piece, I know I am in the right place doing just what I was meant to do. It really brings me joy when I can see I am making a difference in someone’s life.
I am most proud of the collaboration work I did with my friend, Abby, who was a child ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy Assn. (MDA). She drew up some artwork and I made it into jewelry and key chains. We were able to sell and raise a ton of money which helped fund many kids’ camp funds for the summer. It was so rewarding! (see photo below – Abby’s Avengers)
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am super grateful for a very large family of support, but my husband, Mark (AKA Mr. MARKetplace) and my three boys by far are my biggest supporters. They have stood by me through all the ups and downs of owning a small business and have encouraged me beyond what I could have ever expected. They are constantly schlepping stuff here and there, running around to get this or that, helping in rainstorms, building crazy displays at all hours, sorting, counting, packaging, making multiple trips to the post office, etc. It is truly a family affair to say the least. I definitely could not do any of this without them and am so grateful they gave me the push I needed on days when things don’t go as planned, and cheered the loudest when things go well.
Contact Info:
- Email: mbwaschek@yahoo.com
- Website: www.marysmarketplaceonline.com
- Instagram: @marysmarketplace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marysmarketplace
- Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/marysmarketplace
Image Credits
@Meganruffphotography
