Sophia Coyne founder of Blueberry Milk

Who are you and what business did you start?

I’m Sophia Coyne and I am the founder of Blueberry Milk, a small jewellery and accessories company based in Cornwall, U.K.

What’s your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

I started out with an education in digital marketing, and have worked in social media for a couple of years prior. Blueberry Milk started out as a passion project for me and quickly shifted into an established business. When I was looking for a niche I realised there wasn’t a lot on the market in terms of high quality jewellery with designs that were on the funkier side! I decided to go with a Y2K theme as it was heavily coming back into fashion and I adore the colours and feel of the style.

Describe the process of launching the business.

Launching the business was very hard, I spent hours on end in the run up to launch just redoing bits of the website and making sure product descriptions were perfect, it’s the little things that slip past you! The launch was very well received and we were so grateful for the support Blueberry Milk received from day one.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Communication is key! We are always present and social on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Being able to connect with customers on a human level really helps.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

So while the business is very small at the moment, we hope to grow exponentially in the future. In time we want to expand product ranges, and be able to cater for all sizes in clothing to become more inclusive as a company.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

I’ve learned that while it may sound cliche, taking a rest is so important. Interacting with customers on top of running a business can be so draining sometimes and it’s so important to exercise self care when it gets too much.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

We currently use Shopify for our website and Mail chimp for our mailing list. We’ve found that shopify carries so many helpful tools to increase conversions and interactions.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

I really like listening to Gary Vee when I’m working. He’s so inspirational and very motivational, the perfect person to listen to if your motivation is low or you feel like giving up at times.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

Just do it!! I say this so much, there’s no perfect time to start a business, it’s something that needs growing and nurturing and the later you start, the more opportunities you could potentially miss out on. Talk to your peers and other business owners, it can be a very lonely world at times so it’s good to surround yourself with others in the same mindset as you.

Where can we go to learn more?

www.blueberrymilk.co.uk