Birmingham Spotlight Cheryl Haley
It is Women’s History month and we are featuring local female-owned businesses every Friday for the entire month of March.
Today, we are featuring the owner of Miss Prissy’s Design, Cheryl Haley.
Cheryl Haley began her love for designing and creating handcrafted jewelry during the Summer of 2012. Cheryl’s love for fashion and accessories has led to her jewelry design passion.
It all began with beaded bracelets made out of organic and semiprecious stones various charms and findings. A year or so later she incorporated new techniques to her jewelry style. Those techniques have led to creating earrings, necklaces, and rings using stainless steel, sterling silver, and 14 karat gold filled wire to create a variety of designs.
How did you enter into your industry?
While working full-time as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Atlanta, Georgia, I was fortunate to have my summers off and, as a result, was able to explore my second passion, which is expressing myself through fashion and jewelry. I began designing and creating handcrafted jewelry during my time off, and I quickly realized that I had an eye for creativity. With an innate entrepreneurial spirit embedded in me from my parents. I decided to give life to Miss Prissy’s Designs which I established August 2012, in Atlanta, GA.
Did you always know you wanted to have this career?
I had no idea that I would someday have a passion for designing and creating handcrafted jewelry.
If you could tell yourself one thing when you first started your career, what would it be?
I would have moved forward with investing in Quickbooks to help with organizing the financial aspect of the business so that things wouldn't be so chaotic during tax season. Things are flowing much smoother now.
If you could go back and tell your teenage self advice what would it be?
Do what you love and love what you do.
Where are we likely to find you on the weekends or when you aren't working?
I can usually be found exploring new restaurants, at a park enjoying nature, shopping, traveling or spending time with my husband, family and friends.
Name 3 things you cannot live without
Good food, self-care and frequent getaways.
What are you currently listening to? Podcast? Favorite song that motivates you?
I listen to a variety of music on Spotify and really enjoy The Side Hustle Pro Podcast amongst others.
How do you get yourself out of a funk when you are having an off day?
Creating my jewelry while listening to some smooth grooves, journaling and going for a brisk walk usually helps to get me out of a funk.
What would surprise us about yourself?
I eat cucumbers every single day, do not like elevators and I love flowers and plants. I currently have about 30 plants.
What is the best advice you have received?
The best business advice that I have received is that some of my most loyal customers might start off as lookers and admirers of my handcrafted pieces. Then some of them will become loyal customers that start making purchases. It is important to always be patient and kind to every customer that shows an interest in my jewelry.
What are some career highlights and biggest career accomplishments?
Through networking and establishing relationships, I have been fortunate to work with some excellent retailers, business owners, and event coordinators. Some of them include iWi Fresh Garden Day Spa, J. Crew, Fabrik, Kuumba Coffee, Juneteenth in the Marietta Square, Birmingham Art Crawl, Woodlawn Street Market, sorority events, scholarship galas, luncheons, festivals, and private showings.
Contact information: Where can members connect with you?
Missprissysdesigns@gmail.com, IG: Missprissysdesigns, FB: Miss Prissy’s Designs