December 9, 2024 • 22 mins
Ever wondered how a simple grain of sand can encapsulate a lifetime of memories? Join us as we talk with Holly Daniels Christensen, the creative genius behind Dune Jewelry, who shares her inspiring journey from crafting unique keepsakes at her kitchen table to building a thriving business. Holly lets us in on the magic of transforming personal experiences into wearable treasures, using everything from beach sand to pet fur. With a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity, Dune Jewelry offers something for everyone, ensuring each piece tells a deeply personal story.
But it's not just about jewelry; it's also about entrepreneurship. We explore the challenges and growth opportunities that come with starting a business, and I share insights from my own entrepreneurial path. Unpacking the importance of self-confidence, education, and a supportive community, we discuss how passion and purpose can lead to a sustainable and rewarding business venture. Holly's journey is a testament to the power of dreams and making a positive impact, offering valuable lessons and motivation for anyone looking to turn their creative spark into a successful enterprise.
Visit www.dunejewelry.com and use promo code CURBY15 at checkout to save!
Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi, friend, welcome to Holly's Highlights, a podcast
designed to encourage, inspireand equip you to intentionally
live your life full of purpose.
I'm your host, holly Kirby,motivational speaker, leadership
cultivator, marketingstrategist and personal
cheerleader.
Let's check out today'shighlights.
Do you need more Christmas giftideas?
(00:23):
After all, don't forget thekids', teachers, the neighbor
gifts, the gifts for yourgirlfriends and book club.
Maybe your favorite checker atthe grocery store or the mailman
who has delivered their fairshare of packages to you this
season, or your siblings, yourparents, your grandparents
basically anyone in your life?
Well, make it easy.
Order copies of Facelift.
(00:44):
Embracing Hope Through yourHeartaches.
Whether using as a quick read,a personal application for
self-development, or evendiscussing as a group, everyone
will be able to identify andtake away something from
Facelift, challenging our use ofsocial media, reminding us we
aren't alone on our journey andencouraging us with inspiration
while equipping us along the way.
Readers are sure to have alifting of their face.
(01:06):
Facelift is available throughyour local bookstores as well as
online retailers, so a simpleclick to order on Target,
walmart, barnes, noble and,everyone's favorite, amazon.
Order your copies of Facelifttoday and remember a portion of
all Facelift purchases aredonated to Huntsman Cancer
Foundation.
Happy shopping, welcome friends.
(01:29):
Last year we took our familyvacation on an Alaskan cruise
and as we were in the ports,there was one store that kept
catching my eye.
It was called Dune Jewelry.
Now, my favorite piece was awhale tail bracelet.
I loved it, but my daughter andI opted to both get the little
whale tail matching necklaceinstead.
And they're beautiful.
We wear them all of the time.
But not only is Dune jewelrybeautiful, but once I learned
(01:52):
the history of Dune and theirsocial responsibility impact, I
got to tell you I was hooked sofast forward to our last port on
that cruise there in Alaska andonce again, of course, I had to
stop in the Dune jewelry storeas soon as I saw it.
But to my surprise, I had theprivilege of meeting the founder
and owner of Dune, hollyDaniels Christensen.
I am so excited to have herjoin us today to share not only
(02:16):
about her company but inspireall of us as we seek to make
that positive impact in thecommunities where we live, right
where we're at.
So welcome, holly.
Thank you so much for takingtime to be with us today.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Thank you, Holly.
Thank you for having me on.
I'm excited to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So, holly, help our listeners understand.
How did Dune come into fruitionDune?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
was started at my kitchen table.
It was a side project, acreative outlet for me when I
was working in real estate and Ididn't have that creative
outlet anymore and I startedmaking sand jewelry for friends
and family from beaches on CapeCod, where I grew up, and people
(02:58):
would kind of see it and oncethey understood what it was they
would say, oh my gosh, could Ihave something like that from my
beach?
And I thought it was reallyinteresting that people took
ownership of these locationsbecause they were so special to
them.
And then they started bringingme sand from all over the world
Bermuda and Iceland and Italyand having these designs made
(03:21):
and finally it dawned on me thatmaybe we needed to explore this
as a business opportunityinstead of a hobby.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yeah, sounded like you got onto something with the
help of others, just admiringwhat you had.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
That's it, yeah, and my inspiration really does come
from the people I meet, theplaces I go and the customer
feedback.
Now that we're an establishedbusiness, awesome.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Now you're so much more than just another jewelry
store.
As everyone goes on theirsummer vacations, or even
visiting their memorable spots,hiking or at their local beach,
as you mentioned, you offerservices to basically capture
that moment.
Tell us more about that.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yeah, we started as the original beach sand jewelry
company that was kind of ourtagline and then people would
call and say I've got a reallyweird question.
I hope you don't think I'mweird and I'd be like I don't
think you're weird, what?
And they'd say can I send inashes?
Or I have these clippings of mydog's fur who passed.
(04:25):
Who is my best friend?
Can I send this fur?
Or we had someone send inclippings from a baby onesie
chihuahua teeth.
You know all of these thingsthat you wouldn't expect to be
adorning yourself with.
But those tangible items have amemory and an experience
(04:46):
attached to them that we canthen beautify so you can wear it
forever.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
That is awesome.
Now you have pieces forpractically every budget too,
right, so you do rings,bracelets, necklaces.
What other items might I bemissing?
I want.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Dune to be accessible because essentially, it's
experiential jewelry.
We're capturing experiences inevery single design, so we have
items that start at $50 all theway up to in the thousands of
dollars fine jewelry, you know,with diamonds and gemstones, so,
and everything in the middleand so and every piece is
(05:21):
handmade.
Our artists here inMassachusetts are handcrafting
these designs every single day,and so there is a cost
associated with that.
But we want to make it asaccessible as possible, and so
we also have key chains andornaments that you can put on
your tree or in your window,things like that as well.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
You really have thought about all of it and I
love how you take that personaltreasure, so to speak, and you
can put it into so manydifferent applicable items that
you know, whether giving to abridal party gift or occasions
where listeners wanted somethingengraved.
You guys do engraving as well,is that right?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
You make it as personal as possible.
Oh, I love that.
I love that Because there's somuch sentiment that goes in, at
least for me.
There's so much sentiment thatgoes into jewelry, and so you've
just taken it to that nextlevel.
I know for my jewelry it'spassed down from you know, my
mother's wedding ring or mygrandmother's wedding ring,
which is so sentimental, andthis I love that.
It's not just another piece ofjewelry, it's a unique piece of
(06:21):
jewelry that's going to forevertie in a memory and as you share
that experience and that'sbeautiful, that's beautiful to
be able to share as well as towear too.
So I love that.
Now, one thing that reallystruck me while speaking to your
sweet gals in Ketchikan youhire some of the best people.
I think they just reallyrepresent your brand well, but
(06:41):
then also just draw in theguests.
They're very dedicated intowhat you're doing, what your
mission is and that's somethingI started loving was that
dedication to giving back.
So you've donated over what250,000 to charitable
organizations across the globe,and I was impressed how there
were places such as protectingthe waters and areas of Cape Cod
(07:02):
or to providing beachaccessible wheelchairs and even
partnering with organizationssuch as Autism and Alzheimer's
and American Heart Association.
So you're not only taking anexperience for someone, but now
you're even applying theapplicable, giving back to
something that might touchpeople's heart and what they
have gone through in life or aloved one has gone through in
life.
So share with us more aboutthese causes, and how does
(07:25):
purchasing a piece from the DuneCollection impact these
organizations?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, giving back is so important to us because our
jewelry is so much about humansentiment and the human
experience really, and there areso many challenges and issues
that we go through in ourlifetime.
So when my husband came andsaid, all right, you know, we
want to keep it really focusedon coastal preservation, I'm
(07:50):
like, yeah, that's wonderful.
I love that we are partneredwith 4Ocean and we donate back
to Mission Blue, which is one ofmy absolute favorite causes,
and the Association of PreserveCape Cod, where I grew up.
But also, you know, trying totie in human experience with our
giving.
Autism is so important to justcontinue funding the research
and so that we can understandmore about it.
(08:12):
And opioid addiction andresearch.
You know I had very closefamily members that suffered
from addiction to opioids, sothat's something very close to
my heart.
My father died of type onediabetes when I was very young,
so that's close to my heart.
My father died of type 1diabetes when I was very young,
so that's close to my heart.
Many times you want to have thisspecific reason for giving to
one charitable organization andthat just doesn't.
(08:33):
That's not us.
We're just.
We're all about our customers,we're all about life's
experiences.
So every time you purchasesomething dune, a portion is
going back to charity and it isvariable depending on which
designs you're choosing.
Touch the World is our stringbracelet collection and those
give 10% back on revenue, notprofit, because sometimes that
(08:56):
can be a little tricky.
What actually gets to thecharity, and so that's a good
one to start with.
It's a really great price point.
It's super cute, anyone canwear it, it works into any
bracelet stack and you knowexactly where your donation is
going to.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
I love the generous spirit that I hear from you as
an entrepreneur, that it's notjust about connecting with your
client in the jewelry that youare selling but then also giving
back to their communities tothings that have touched you,
but having a lot ofintentionality behind that, and
I think that's so important forbusinesses today, as well as for
(09:31):
clients on the receiving end toknow that with their purchases
they're making an added impactin the society too.
That's beautiful.
Thank you for doing that.
Thank you for doing that.
Thank you Our listeners, whoare on the edge of their seat
kind of wondering okay, now thisdune jewelry is new to me.
Can I only get it in Alaska?
Share with us where they mightbe able to visit your stores or
(09:52):
even experience seeing what youhave and the concept we actually
ship to over 450 stores allaround the world.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
We have our website, which is a great place to see
everything, and it'sdunejewelrycom.
It's just like a sand dune.
We're on Instagram, we are onFacebook, tiktok, we do all the
things.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Wow, but we can find you.
We can find you, you will findus yes, yes, I do have to say
for listeners out there go intoa store, like if you're near a
store, it is definitely, it'sdefinitely worth just going in
and seeing this in your hand oron your wrist or on your neck
yeah, you can't walk awaywithout buying a piece for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Yeah, it's so true, and we have a lot of different
designs, for men, for women.
Again, the accessories, winestoppers.
Truly, we are a jewelry company, a jewelry brand, but more so
we're a concept that can beapplied to multiple things to
capture your memories and alsoto manifest new memories.
You know, I constantly wear abracelet with sand from the
(10:53):
Greek islands because that is onmy bucket list.
I've never been and that's justkind of every day.
When I see it I'm like I knowI'm going to go there, I'll be
there someday, you know, andthis is my reminder to think
about it and speak it intoexistence.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Okay, so now you've just inspired me and now I need
to go on, because that too isone of my bucket list items is
the Greek Isles, so I'm going tohave to go in and see and
perhaps do the same thing aboutinspiration and motivation.
That, yeah, dreaming that oneof these days we will get there.
We will get there.
Now I'm loving my first pieceof dune jewelry.
It's the beach wave charm whichI mentioned, and it can be put
(11:27):
on a necklace or a bracelet, soI love how universal is or how
you can do different things withit.
But for those who hop on yourwebsite or visit store location,
you actually have a special waythat they can save on their
first piece of dune jewelry,right?
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Yes, well, you have a special way they can save.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Woo-hoo, yes, and that is, we will put it in our
show notes but Kirby 15.
So if you go on, then you'regoing to save a percentage off
of your first piece of jewelryso highly recommend.
Thank you so much for extendingthat.
What a kind offer toincentivize all of us to go
(12:03):
start looking at that Junejewelry and see what we might
add to our own beginning of thecollection, because you just
can't stop at one.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
You just can't.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
That is true and I love that about what we do, and
because we end up making so manyfriends um through our
customers, which is so great,because social media keeps you
so connected yeah, well, I, Iloved when I was in Alaska and
came in and you were so graciousto, of course, a busy, busy
woman of an entrepreneur thatyou are, and going from store to
(12:30):
store location, all that's onyour plate and you dropped
everything just to sit there andvisit with me and I hadn't even
been a June Jewelry customerlonger than a week.
So I love the just reception ofboth you and your team and you
truly, you are.
You join the Dune family.
When you buy a piece of jewelry, it's not just buying another
piece of jewelry, so that's,that's a beautiful part of your
(12:50):
organization for sure.
Thank you, yeah, absolutely Now, holly.
I'm just curious from anentrepreneur standpoint and
perhaps to help those listeningwho may be in a similar shoe as
you, as as they started outhaving an idea or not even
having an idea, I mean you werejust doing something for
yourself and out having an ideaor not even having an idea, I
mean you were just doingsomething for yourself and then
it sparked into a passion.
But kind of a twofold questionthere what would you say was
(13:12):
your biggest challenge, startingDune and then the second part
of that, what encouragementmight you offer to those wanting
to launch their own this orthat.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
That's a great question.
I left home at 15 years old, soI had been working since I was
literally 11.
I know people are like, no, youweren't.
Yes, I was.
I had paying jobs from 11 yearsold until today, and so the
biggest challenge starting Dunewas a lack of confidence in my
(13:44):
formal education, so left homeat 15, dropped out of high
school.
I did end up getting my GED andtaking college courses that
have nothing to do with what I'mdoing now, but you know I
always had had a great workethic and I think that really,
really helped me along the way.
But I will say just that thatlack of confidence and always
(14:06):
believing that everyone I metwas, was smarter than me and
knew better, when in my gut andin my, my intuition and just
what I had picked up throughemotional intelligence and my
upbringing, I knew better.
And I do wish that I followedmy gut a little earlier on,
rather than thinking everyoneelse knew it, you know, knew it
(14:27):
all, and I was.
I was the.
You know, I was the not thesmartest person in the room, not
saying that I was, but justalways lacking that
self-confidence.
So that was a huge challengestarting a business.
I'm 14 years in now.
So I have learned a lot overthe past 14 years through the
internet, through reading books,through working with different
(14:51):
personalities and differentpeople and learning from them.
So I feel very different than Idid when I first started the
business.
And if you're looking to start abusiness, I think that's a
great question too, and I lovethe way you phrased it like what
type of tips and tricks?
First off, unless you have awildly passionate work ethic,
(15:13):
don't start your own business.
That's my advice.
You have to be so passionateabout it.
You have to be ready to work 24hours a day, seven days a week
for at least the first few years.
And I know there's so manythings out there like get rich
quick and figure out thealgorithm and make all this
money on Instagram, and while Ido think that that does happen
(15:34):
for some people, I think it's anoutlier and I think the
majority of people starting abusiness are married to it for
at least the first five years.
And you have to be ready forthat because it's an emotional
roller coaster, a mental andemotional roller coaster.
One day you're on top of theworld.
You just closed a deal.
It's so exciting.
The next day you're like oh,how am I going to make payroll?
Speaker 1 (15:55):
That's what entrepreneurship is, and you
have to be ready for that sovital, that passion behind it
and anything that we do.
My kids are freshmen in highschool and a senior in high
school and we're having thoseconversations all of the time
about you know, what are yougoing to do, what interests do
you have?
And I always tell them it isnot about that big ticket, it is
not about I'm going to make themost money so I can have this,
(16:16):
because then you might bemiserable in what you do, but
it's all about that passion ofwhat can you do if you didn't
make a single penny in the daythat you absolutely love and
helps fulfill you.
And just so important it is tofind something that you enjoy.
But, especially as anentrepreneur, good to know that,
yeah, 24-7,.
(16:37):
Passion has to be there, has tobe genuine, because we're going
to be our biggest cheerleaders,right, we're going to be the one
as you touched on thatconfidence where you're going to
have to challenge yourself andmotivate yourself.
So, great advice, great advicethere.
Yeah, that's awesome, thank you, yeah, and then, what
encouragement might you offer tothose wanting to launch this or
that?
As far as you touched onlearning, and I think that's so
(16:59):
important as a growth mindsetbeing willing to learn and
realize that we're not going tobe the smartest person at the
table, and that's okay, butbeing willing to learn, that's
great yeah yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
You don't want to be the smartest person at the table
, because then what?
Then?
Who are you going to learn Like?
Where's the growth?
Who are you going to learn from?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So how would you challenge those listening to
step into that?
Like, where are some differentopportunities you found to learn
and grow, and how did youadjust your mindset to do so?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I did go to SCORE.
I believe SCORE is everywhere.
It's funded by the SmallBusiness Administration and they
have a free mentorship program.
So in 2012, I did get a mentorthrough SCORE just how it sounds
S-C-O-R-E.
So if you Google SCORE, smallBusiness Administration, I'm
sure something will come up inanywhere in your area.
(17:51):
And it was interesting becausethis mentor had nothing to do
with jewelry no interest injewelry, I mean but he was a
wildly successful businessmanwho made millions making credit
cards, like, physically like hadfactories that made the plastic
credit cards.
And I always say to him, evennow I think he's well into his
(18:12):
80s and I'm, like you know tohave the foresight to know that
that plastic like he got outright at the perfect time where
we're trying to reduce plasticand we're trying to figure out
ways not to use so much plastic.
And he sold his company for anincredible amount of money right
before that type ofconversation came into play.
So I personally think he's agenius.
(18:34):
But what he taught me was moreabout numbers and how to read a
profit and loss, and that profitis so much more important than
revenue, because these days youhear all these wild startup
stories and it's like spend,spend, spend.
Get the name out there, spendthe money and that's okay, but
that's not going to work everytime.
(18:55):
You need profitable business tocreate something long-term, so
find a mentor if you can.
I think that's huge.
I also think there are greatwomen's groups.
There's one called Women inRetail.
It obviously depends on whatkind of business you're starting
, but Women in Retail is awonderful organization and
there's usually local women'sbusiness groups in your area and
(19:16):
I think a great female networkis so powerful.
Women are so good at networkingand lifting each other up and
multitasking and taking ideasand actually executing them.
I do find that there's a lot oftalk, talk, talk, talk,
meetings, meetings, meetings,emails, and things don't get
done, whereas for some reason,there is a sense of urgency
built into women that somepeople don't have, and I love
(19:39):
that, because the more you canexecute, the more you're going
to succeed because the more youcan execute, the more you're
going to succeed.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Now, holly, here on Holly's Highlights podcast, we
have a signature question thatif you could go back and
encourage, inspire or even equipyourself as a child, what would
you tell your young self?
Speaker 2 (19:57):
I think I would tell my young self that you're
already better than you think.
Like if you're ruminating onthese questions about how to be
better, how to do better, how tosucceed, how to be happy, how
to balance, you're alreadybetter than you think because
there's plenty of people whowalk through life just not
caring, not thinking about that,not just trying to get through
(20:17):
day to day and and not lookinginward and looking at themselves
.
So, yeah, I would just tellmyself you're already better
than you think, because I alwayshad that ambition to keep going
and learning and growing.
That is so important.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
That is so important for a great message for all of
us to hear, right.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Yeah, and give yourself grace, right, most of
the people I meet are so hard onthemselves.
Whether they express it or not,you can feel it and you have to
give yourself grace and usemomentum when it's there and
give yourself a rest when it'snot there and just kind of go
with the tides.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Well, Holly, thank you so much for joining us today
.
How can our listeners connectfurther with you or with Dune
Jewelry and the company overall?
Speaker 2 (21:02):
We are dunejewelrycom , and we are dunejewelry on
Instagram, facebook, tiktok,linkedin, and you can find me on
Instagram as Holly DanielsChristensen.
Perfect.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Fabulous.
Well, holly, I can't thoroughlyexpress how much I appreciate
you taking time to join us today.
For listeners, go ahead, checkout their website.
Use that Kirby 15 to getyourself a little bit of a
discount there, off your firstpiece of jewelry.
Again, you will be addicted,but especially coming up for
Christmas, it's a greatopportunity to whether you're
going to gift someone else oreven gift something to yourself.
(21:35):
Definitely try that out and Ihope you enjoy your piece.
I for one will be cheering youon, holly, as I enjoy just
following you and your socialmedia.
But I'm also looking forward tomy next piece of dune jewelry
and the memories I'm confidentit'll bring.
I'm going to check out thatgrease piece.
I'm going to check that one out.
So thank you again, holly.
I appreciate you, thank you.
Thank you for joining me onthis journey of life.
(21:59):
I hope that today's highlighthas been encouraging, inspiring
and equipping so you can go outand live your life full of
purpose.
I'd be honored if you'd take amoment to leave a review or,
better yet, subscribe.
We can also stay in touch byjoining my email list at
hollykirbycom, that'sH-O-L-L-Y-C-U-R-B-Y dot com.
(22:22):
Until next time, make it agreat day for a great day.
Hi, friend, welcome to Holly's Highlights, a podcast
designed to encourage, inspireand equip you to intentionally
live your life full of purpose.
I'm your host, holly Kirby,motivational speaker, leadership
cultivator, marketingstrategist and personal
cheerleader.
Let's check out today'shighlights.
Do you need more Christmas giftideas?
(00:23):
After all, don't forget thekids', teachers, the neighbor
gifts, the gifts for yourgirlfriends and book club.
Maybe your favorite checker atthe grocery store or the mailman
who has delivered their fairshare of packages to you this
season, or your siblings, yourparents, your grandparents
basically anyone in your life?
Well, make it easy.
Order copies of Facelift.
(00:44):
Embracing Hope Through yourHeartaches.
Whether using as a quick read,a personal application for
self-development, or evendiscussing as a group, everyone
will be able to identify andtake away something from
Facelift, challenging our use ofsocial media, reminding us we
aren't alone on our journey andencouraging us with inspiration
while equipping us along the way.
Readers are sure to have alifting of their face.
(01:06):
Facelift is available throughyour local bookstores as well as
online retailers, so a simpleclick to order on Target,
walmart, barnes, noble and,everyone's favorite, amazon.
Order your copies of Facelifttoday and remember a portion of
all Facelift purchases aredonated to Huntsman Cancer
Foundation.
Happy shopping, welcome friends.
(01:29):
Last year we took our familyvacation on an Alaskan cruise
and as we were in the ports,there was one store that kept
catching my eye.
It was called Dune Jewelry.
Now, my favorite piece was awhale tail bracelet.
I loved it, but my daughter andI opted to both get the little
whale tail matching necklaceinstead.
And they're beautiful.
We wear them all of the time.
But not only is Dune jewelrybeautiful, but once I learned
(01:52):
the history of Dune and theirsocial responsibility impact, I
got to tell you I was hooked sofast forward to our last port on
that cruise there in Alaska andonce again, of course, I had to
stop in the Dune jewelry storeas soon as I saw it.
But to my surprise, I had theprivilege of meeting the founder
and owner of Dune, hollyDaniels Christensen.
I am so excited to have herjoin us today to share not only
(02:16):
about her company but inspireall of us as we seek to make
that positive impact in thecommunities where we live, right
where we're at.
So welcome, holly.
Thank you so much for takingtime to be with us today.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Thank you, Holly.
Thank you for having me on.
I'm excited to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So, holly, help our listeners understand.
How did Dune come into fruitionDune?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
was started at my kitchen table.
It was a side project, acreative outlet for me when I
was working in real estate and Ididn't have that creative
outlet anymore and I startedmaking sand jewelry for friends
and family from beaches on CapeCod, where I grew up, and people
(02:58):
would kind of see it and oncethey understood what it was they
would say, oh my gosh, could Ihave something like that from my
beach?
And I thought it was reallyinteresting that people took
ownership of these locationsbecause they were so special to
them.
And then they started bringingme sand from all over the world
Bermuda and Iceland and Italyand having these designs made
(03:21):
and finally it dawned on me thatmaybe we needed to explore this
as a business opportunityinstead of a hobby.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yeah, sounded like you got onto something with the
help of others, just admiringwhat you had.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
That's it, yeah, and my inspiration really does come
from the people I meet, theplaces I go and the customer
feedback.
Now that we're an establishedbusiness, awesome.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Now you're so much more than just another jewelry
store.
As everyone goes on theirsummer vacations, or even
visiting their memorable spots,hiking or at their local beach,
as you mentioned, you offerservices to basically capture
that moment.
Tell us more about that.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yeah, we started as the original beach sand jewelry
company that was kind of ourtagline and then people would
call and say I've got a reallyweird question.
I hope you don't think I'mweird and I'd be like I don't
think you're weird, what?
And they'd say can I send inashes?
Or I have these clippings of mydog's fur who passed.
(04:25):
Who is my best friend?
Can I send this fur?
Or we had someone send inclippings from a baby onesie
chihuahua teeth.
You know all of these thingsthat you wouldn't expect to be
adorning yourself with.
But those tangible items have amemory and an experience
(04:46):
attached to them that we canthen beautify so you can wear it
forever.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
That is awesome.
Now you have pieces forpractically every budget too,
right, so you do rings,bracelets, necklaces.
What other items might I bemissing?
I want.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Dune to be accessible because essentially, it's
experiential jewelry.
We're capturing experiences inevery single design, so we have
items that start at $50 all theway up to in the thousands of
dollars fine jewelry, you know,with diamonds and gemstones, so,
and everything in the middleand so and every piece is
(05:21):
handmade.
Our artists here inMassachusetts are handcrafting
these designs every single day,and so there is a cost
associated with that.
But we want to make it asaccessible as possible, and so
we also have key chains andornaments that you can put on
your tree or in your window,things like that as well.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
You really have thought about all of it and I
love how you take that personaltreasure, so to speak, and you
can put it into so manydifferent applicable items that
you know, whether giving to abridal party gift or occasions
where listeners wanted somethingengraved.
You guys do engraving as well,is that right?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
You make it as personal as possible.
Oh, I love that.
I love that Because there's somuch sentiment that goes in, at
least for me.
There's so much sentiment thatgoes into jewelry, and so you've
just taken it to that nextlevel.
I know for my jewelry it'spassed down from you know, my
mother's wedding ring or mygrandmother's wedding ring,
which is so sentimental, andthis I love that.
It's not just another piece ofjewelry, it's a unique piece of
(06:21):
jewelry that's going to forevertie in a memory and as you share
that experience and that'sbeautiful, that's beautiful to
be able to share as well as towear too.
So I love that.
Now, one thing that reallystruck me while speaking to your
sweet gals in Ketchikan youhire some of the best people.
I think they just reallyrepresent your brand well, but
(06:41):
then also just draw in theguests.
They're very dedicated intowhat you're doing, what your
mission is and that's somethingI started loving was that
dedication to giving back.
So you've donated over what250,000 to charitable
organizations across the globe,and I was impressed how there
were places such as protectingthe waters and areas of Cape Cod
(07:02):
or to providing beachaccessible wheelchairs and even
partnering with organizationssuch as Autism and Alzheimer's
and American Heart Association.
So you're not only taking anexperience for someone, but now
you're even applying theapplicable, giving back to
something that might touchpeople's heart and what they
have gone through in life or aloved one has gone through in
life.
So share with us more aboutthese causes, and how does
(07:25):
purchasing a piece from the DuneCollection impact these
organizations?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, giving back is so important to us because our
jewelry is so much about humansentiment and the human
experience really, and there areso many challenges and issues
that we go through in ourlifetime.
So when my husband came andsaid, all right, you know, we
want to keep it really focusedon coastal preservation, I'm
(07:50):
like, yeah, that's wonderful.
I love that we are partneredwith 4Ocean and we donate back
to Mission Blue, which is one ofmy absolute favorite causes,
and the Association of PreserveCape Cod, where I grew up.
But also, you know, trying totie in human experience with our
giving.
Autism is so important to justcontinue funding the research
and so that we can understandmore about it.
(08:12):
And opioid addiction andresearch.
You know I had very closefamily members that suffered
from addiction to opioids, sothat's something very close to
my heart.
My father died of type onediabetes when I was very young,
so that's close to my heart.
My father died of type 1diabetes when I was very young,
so that's close to my heart.
Many times you want to have thisspecific reason for giving to
one charitable organization andthat just doesn't.
(08:33):
That's not us.
We're just.
We're all about our customers,we're all about life's
experiences.
So every time you purchasesomething dune, a portion is
going back to charity and it isvariable depending on which
designs you're choosing.
Touch the World is our stringbracelet collection and those
give 10% back on revenue, notprofit, because sometimes that
(08:56):
can be a little tricky.
What actually gets to thecharity, and so that's a good
one to start with.
It's a really great price point.
It's super cute, anyone canwear it, it works into any
bracelet stack and you knowexactly where your donation is
going to.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
I love the generous spirit that I hear from you as
an entrepreneur, that it's notjust about connecting with your
client in the jewelry that youare selling but then also giving
back to their communities tothings that have touched you,
but having a lot ofintentionality behind that, and
I think that's so important forbusinesses today, as well as for
(09:31):
clients on the receiving end toknow that with their purchases
they're making an added impactin the society too.
That's beautiful.
Thank you for doing that.
Thank you for doing that.
Thank you Our listeners, whoare on the edge of their seat
kind of wondering okay, now thisdune jewelry is new to me.
Can I only get it in Alaska?
Share with us where they mightbe able to visit your stores or
(09:52):
even experience seeing what youhave and the concept we actually
ship to over 450 stores allaround the world.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
We have our website, which is a great place to see
everything, and it'sdunejewelrycom.
It's just like a sand dune.
We're on Instagram, we are onFacebook, tiktok, we do all the
things.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Wow, but we can find you.
We can find you, you will findus yes, yes, I do have to say
for listeners out there go intoa store, like if you're near a
store, it is definitely, it'sdefinitely worth just going in
and seeing this in your hand oron your wrist or on your neck
yeah, you can't walk awaywithout buying a piece for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Yeah, it's so true, and we have a lot of different
designs, for men, for women.
Again, the accessories, winestoppers.
Truly, we are a jewelry company, a jewelry brand, but more so
we're a concept that can beapplied to multiple things to
capture your memories and alsoto manifest new memories.
You know, I constantly wear abracelet with sand from the
(10:53):
Greek islands because that is onmy bucket list.
I've never been and that's justkind of every day.
When I see it I'm like I knowI'm going to go there, I'll be
there someday, you know, andthis is my reminder to think
about it and speak it intoexistence.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Okay, so now you've just inspired me and now I need
to go on, because that too isone of my bucket list items is
the Greek Isles, so I'm going tohave to go in and see and
perhaps do the same thing aboutinspiration and motivation.
That, yeah, dreaming that oneof these days we will get there.
We will get there.
Now I'm loving my first pieceof dune jewelry.
It's the beach wave charm whichI mentioned, and it can be put
(11:27):
on a necklace or a bracelet, soI love how universal is or how
you can do different things withit.
But for those who hop on yourwebsite or visit store location,
you actually have a special waythat they can save on their
first piece of dune jewelry,right?
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Yes, well, you have a special way they can save.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Woo-hoo, yes, and that is, we will put it in our
show notes but Kirby 15.
So if you go on, then you'regoing to save a percentage off
of your first piece of jewelryso highly recommend.
Thank you so much for extendingthat.
What a kind offer toincentivize all of us to go
(12:03):
start looking at that Junejewelry and see what we might
add to our own beginning of thecollection, because you just
can't stop at one.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
You just can't.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
That is true and I love that about what we do, and
because we end up making so manyfriends um through our
customers, which is so great,because social media keeps you
so connected yeah, well, I, Iloved when I was in Alaska and
came in and you were so graciousto, of course, a busy, busy
woman of an entrepreneur thatyou are, and going from store to
(12:30):
store location, all that's onyour plate and you dropped
everything just to sit there andvisit with me and I hadn't even
been a June Jewelry customerlonger than a week.
So I love the just reception ofboth you and your team and you
truly, you are.
You join the Dune family.
When you buy a piece of jewelry, it's not just buying another
piece of jewelry, so that's,that's a beautiful part of your
(12:50):
organization for sure.
Thank you, yeah, absolutely Now, holly.
I'm just curious from anentrepreneur standpoint and
perhaps to help those listeningwho may be in a similar shoe as
you, as as they started outhaving an idea or not even
having an idea, I mean you werejust doing something for
yourself and out having an ideaor not even having an idea, I
mean you were just doingsomething for yourself and then
it sparked into a passion.
But kind of a twofold questionthere what would you say was
(13:12):
your biggest challenge, startingDune and then the second part
of that, what encouragementmight you offer to those wanting
to launch their own this orthat.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
That's a great question.
I left home at 15 years old, soI had been working since I was
literally 11.
I know people are like, no, youweren't.
Yes, I was.
I had paying jobs from 11 yearsold until today, and so the
biggest challenge starting Dunewas a lack of confidence in my
(13:44):
formal education, so left homeat 15, dropped out of high
school.
I did end up getting my GED andtaking college courses that
have nothing to do with what I'mdoing now, but you know I
always had had a great workethic and I think that really,
really helped me along the way.
But I will say just that thatlack of confidence and always
(14:06):
believing that everyone I metwas, was smarter than me and
knew better, when in my gut andin my, my intuition and just
what I had picked up throughemotional intelligence and my
upbringing, I knew better.
And I do wish that I followedmy gut a little earlier on,
rather than thinking everyoneelse knew it, you know, knew it
(14:27):
all, and I was.
I was the.
You know, I was the not thesmartest person in the room, not
saying that I was, but justalways lacking that
self-confidence.
So that was a huge challengestarting a business.
I'm 14 years in now.
So I have learned a lot overthe past 14 years through the
internet, through reading books,through working with different
(14:51):
personalities and differentpeople and learning from them.
So I feel very different than Idid when I first started the
business.
And if you're looking to start abusiness, I think that's a
great question too, and I lovethe way you phrased it like what
type of tips and tricks?
First off, unless you have awildly passionate work ethic,
(15:13):
don't start your own business.
That's my advice.
You have to be so passionateabout it.
You have to be ready to work 24hours a day, seven days a week
for at least the first few years.
And I know there's so manythings out there like get rich
quick and figure out thealgorithm and make all this
money on Instagram, and while Ido think that that does happen
(15:34):
for some people, I think it's anoutlier and I think the
majority of people starting abusiness are married to it for
at least the first five years.
And you have to be ready forthat because it's an emotional
roller coaster, a mental andemotional roller coaster.
One day you're on top of theworld.
You just closed a deal.
It's so exciting.
The next day you're like oh,how am I going to make payroll?
Speaker 1 (15:55):
That's what entrepreneurship is, and you
have to be ready for that sovital, that passion behind it
and anything that we do.
My kids are freshmen in highschool and a senior in high
school and we're having thoseconversations all of the time
about you know, what are yougoing to do, what interests do
you have?
And I always tell them it isnot about that big ticket, it is
not about I'm going to make themost money so I can have this,
(16:16):
because then you might bemiserable in what you do, but
it's all about that passion ofwhat can you do if you didn't
make a single penny in the daythat you absolutely love and
helps fulfill you.
And just so important it is tofind something that you enjoy.
But, especially as anentrepreneur, good to know that,
yeah, 24-7,.
(16:37):
Passion has to be there, has tobe genuine, because we're going
to be our biggest cheerleaders,right, we're going to be the one
as you touched on thatconfidence where you're going to
have to challenge yourself andmotivate yourself.
So, great advice, great advicethere.
Yeah, that's awesome, thank you, yeah, and then, what
encouragement might you offer tothose wanting to launch this or
that?
As far as you touched onlearning, and I think that's so
(16:59):
important as a growth mindsetbeing willing to learn and
realize that we're not going tobe the smartest person at the
table, and that's okay, butbeing willing to learn, that's
great yeah yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
You don't want to be the smartest person at the table
, because then what?
Then?
Who are you going to learn Like?
Where's the growth?
Who are you going to learn from?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So how would you challenge those listening to
step into that?
Like, where are some differentopportunities you found to learn
and grow, and how did youadjust your mindset to do so?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I did go to SCORE.
I believe SCORE is everywhere.
It's funded by the SmallBusiness Administration and they
have a free mentorship program.
So in 2012, I did get a mentorthrough SCORE just how it sounds
S-C-O-R-E.
So if you Google SCORE, smallBusiness Administration, I'm
sure something will come up inanywhere in your area.
(17:51):
And it was interesting becausethis mentor had nothing to do
with jewelry no interest injewelry, I mean but he was a
wildly successful businessmanwho made millions making credit
cards, like, physically like hadfactories that made the plastic
credit cards.
And I always say to him, evennow I think he's well into his
(18:12):
80s and I'm, like you know tohave the foresight to know that
that plastic like he got outright at the perfect time where
we're trying to reduce plasticand we're trying to figure out
ways not to use so much plastic.
And he sold his company for anincredible amount of money right
before that type ofconversation came into play.
So I personally think he's agenius.
(18:34):
But what he taught me was moreabout numbers and how to read a
profit and loss, and that profitis so much more important than
revenue, because these days youhear all these wild startup
stories and it's like spend,spend, spend.
Get the name out there, spendthe money and that's okay, but
that's not going to work everytime.
(18:55):
You need profitable business tocreate something long-term, so
find a mentor if you can.
I think that's huge.
I also think there are greatwomen's groups.
There's one called Women inRetail.
It obviously depends on whatkind of business you're starting
, but Women in Retail is awonderful organization and
there's usually local women'sbusiness groups in your area and
(19:16):
I think a great female networkis so powerful.
Women are so good at networkingand lifting each other up and
multitasking and taking ideasand actually executing them.
I do find that there's a lot oftalk, talk, talk, talk,
meetings, meetings, meetings,emails, and things don't get
done, whereas for some reason,there is a sense of urgency
built into women that somepeople don't have, and I love
(19:39):
that, because the more you canexecute, the more you're going
to succeed because the more youcan execute, the more you're
going to succeed.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Now, holly, here on Holly's Highlights podcast, we
have a signature question thatif you could go back and
encourage, inspire or even equipyourself as a child, what would
you tell your young self?
Speaker 2 (19:57):
I think I would tell my young self that you're
already better than you think.
Like if you're ruminating onthese questions about how to be
better, how to do better, how tosucceed, how to be happy, how
to balance, you're alreadybetter than you think because
there's plenty of people whowalk through life just not
caring, not thinking about that,not just trying to get through
(20:17):
day to day and and not lookinginward and looking at themselves
.
So, yeah, I would just tellmyself you're already better
than you think, because I alwayshad that ambition to keep going
and learning and growing.
That is so important.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
That is so important for a great message for all of
us to hear, right.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Yeah, and give yourself grace, right, most of
the people I meet are so hard onthemselves.
Whether they express it or not,you can feel it and you have to
give yourself grace and usemomentum when it's there and
give yourself a rest when it'snot there and just kind of go
with the tides.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Well, Holly, thank you so much for joining us today
.
How can our listeners connectfurther with you or with Dune
Jewelry and the company overall?
Speaker 2 (21:02):
We are dunejewelrycom , and we are dunejewelry on
Instagram, facebook, tiktok,linkedin, and you can find me on
Instagram as Holly DanielsChristensen.
Perfect.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Fabulous.
Well, holly, I can't thoroughlyexpress how much I appreciate
you taking time to join us today.
For listeners, go ahead, checkout their website.
Use that Kirby 15 to getyourself a little bit of a
discount there, off your firstpiece of jewelry.
Again, you will be addicted,but especially coming up for
Christmas, it's a greatopportunity to whether you're
going to gift someone else oreven gift something to yourself.
(21:35):
Definitely try that out and Ihope you enjoy your piece.
I for one will be cheering youon, holly, as I enjoy just
following you and your socialmedia.
But I'm also looking forward tomy next piece of dune jewelry
and the memories I'm confidentit'll bring.
I'm going to check out thatgrease piece.
I'm going to check that one out.
So thank you again, holly.
I appreciate you, thank you.
Thank you for joining me onthis journey of life.
(21:59):
I hope that today's highlighthas been encouraging, inspiring
and equipping so you can go outand live your life full of
purpose.
I'd be honored if you'd take amoment to leave a review or,
better yet, subscribe.
We can also stay in touch byjoining my email list at
hollykirbycom, that'sH-O-L-L-Y-C-U-R-B-Y dot com.
(22:22):
Until next time, make it agreat day for a great day.
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