Brand Interview – Vanessa Coppes – enV Jewelry and the CHICA Bracelet | Branding YOU Better!

Brand Interview – Vanessa Coppes – enV Jewelry and the CHICA Bracelet

By Susan May 24, 2011 Blog, Brand-Interviews No Comments

Vanessa Coppes, enV Jewelry and the CHICA Bracelet

How long has your company been in business?
I’ve been in business since June, 2009. I help women connect to others through my jewelry and also help them discover and develop their personal style.

Please tell us a bit about your company, its mission, goals…
Our mission is to support other women who are living their lives the best way they can.

Do you donate to charities? Tell us about that also and why.
Having been affected very closely by cancer, after my father’s death from colon cancer, my aunt from breast cancer and my mother-in-law, a stage 4 breast cancer survivor I support:
1) The American Cancer Society: through the sale of “Debbie’s Pearls”
2) Asociacion Mujeres Solidarias in the Dominican Republic through the sale of our CHICA bracelet with a butterfly.
3) Enchanted Makeovers in the US: through the sale of our enV CHICA bracelet in the US.

How did you know what typeface (font) would be right for your company wordmark or logo? If your logo has an illustration, describe why that art was the right thing, animal, place, object, etc…
My graphic designer is also Dominican, so when he recommended the art work, it resembled something you would find in one of the most popular beaches in my country.
“V” is the nick name I was called as a child. The letters “en” in spanish means in. So the enV combination is meant to spike good enV when you wear my jewelry and someone else sees it on you: they want it.

How did you decide on the right color palette to fit your company look and feel?
The brown and yellow combination have 2 very special meanings to me. The first being the colors in sunflowers which were my father’s favorite flower; the second, brown of the earth, my home land and yellow of the sun, warmth of the island.

How did you decide which type of designer to work with, or did you design your own identity and web presence?
Being from the Dominican Republic, he understood my message. I really gave him very little direction, as long as he kept the color combination in tune with the brand.

In what order did you present your company to the world? Did you start with marketing and products, or website, blog and social media?
My first logo was not even close to what it is now. I mean, now I look at it and smile; that’s how much I love it. Two years ago, I knew nothing about branding. It wasn’t until I got clear on my message that everything began to piece together.

I started using my personal Facebook profile. Then I created a group and a web page. I invested in exquisite business cards in the beginning. I still have customers who remember me by the business card I gave them.

How long after the launch of your company did you start pitching in social media?
One year later.

Did you do research or study any software, take webinars, teleclasses, before approaching any area of your marketing or web presence?
Definitely, I researched, read anything I could get my hands on.

Do you advertise locally in newspapers and/or nationally in magazines? Are they effective?
No.

Do you advertise online using Google, Facebook or on other company sites? Are they effective?
I used Google for 6 months and didn’t find it to be effective. However, Facebook has been very helpful.

When you printed your products, packaging, business cards and other print marketing did you choose an online printer or visit a local vendor?
I do both. It depends on the turn around time vs. the cost.

Did you know anything about different types of papers, when you wanted to print your marketing materials?
I knew NADA. But I did ask my local printer to break the types down for me so I know the language well now.

Have you ever used “green” technology in printing, using FSC certified papers or recycled paper and if not, how likely are you at trying this on a next project?
I have not. I would definitely consider it in the future.

If you sell products, are they produced in the USA or abroad?
My product is handmade by me. I bring back my materials from the Dominican Republic because I am able to get them more affordably than in the US. I have not outsourced manufacturing because I feel it looses the magic of my finished products. I have one specific piece, the CHICA bracelet, the proceeds benefit two charities: one in the US “Enchanted Makeovers” and one in my native Dominican Republic “Asociacion Mujeres Solidarias.” It is being produced in batches of 2-3 dozen, and it’s outsourced to my cousins and friends, who donate their time for these wonderful causes.