Meet Christy Jones: Owner, Red Seal Craft Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christy Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My career has been a long and windy road! I spent nearly 20 years in corporate marketing for a large company. Even though I had a successful career in marketing, I found myself wanting more. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, and their success had me dreaming of starting my own business.  I have always loved to make things – from jewelry to DIY home projects, but I struggled finding the time. In 2016, I took the leap and decided to leave my corporate job.  I took some time off to focus on my family while I decided what I wanted to do next.  I spent 3 years at home with my daughters, and during this time I got back to my creative roots and started crafting and making jewerly again. It helped me discover my passion for creativity, and I realized that a creative business was what I needed. About that time, the opportunity to buy Red Seal came about. This was my chance to take my love of creativity and share it with other women and girls in the community, while still having the flexibility to be present for my family. Since owning Red Seal, I have met the most amazing women, learned more than I could ever imagine about running a business, and have felt complete happiness in knowing this is what I was meant to do.    

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What keeps me busy is different every day. It’s true that owning a small business makes you a jack of all trades. A typical day for me starts bright and early once I get the kids off to school. I spend my mornings planning my social media content, making sure my website is up to date, and answering customer emails. Then, I usually have to do some shopping for materials and supplies – this may mean a run to Home Depot for wood since I make all my signs from scratch, or maybe a trip to the bead store for jewelry supplies. Then it’s off to the studio to get ready for upcoming workshops & parties!  My favorite thing to do when I have a little down time, is to search for new projects to offer. I’m always on the hunt for local makers to teach workshops, and I spend a lot of time on Pinterest searching for fun, easy projects that I can teach myself. My friends & family make great test subjects for new projects!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I used to be a city girl, but I’ve grown to love the suburbs! There are so many great shops and fabulous restaurants in East Cobb & Roswell. We’d start off with some shopping – hitting up some of my favorite shops like Fabrik & East Magnolia Boutique. Then we’d head over for a beer at Variant Brewing – they have the most delicious IPAs! Of course, we’d stop by Red Seal for a little crafting, and maybe make some jewelry to wear out to dinner. Then we’d grab dinner at Monkey 68 for the yummiest sushi, or Table & Main if we’re in the mood for some traditional southern food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all, I couldn’t do this without the love and support of my family. My mom, my husband, and my daughters have been my biggest supporters throughout this adventure. They never questioned my desire to start this business, and they continue to believe in me and encourage my success. I’d also like to mention the book “Love What you Do” by Dana Spinola. I read this book when I was unsure what I wanted my future to be, and everything became so much clearer after reading this great book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering a career change.

Website: www.redsealcraftstudio.com
Instagram: redsealcraftstudio
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyjones17/
Facebook: facebook.com/redsealcraftstudio

Image Credits
Sandra Curtis Photography