Chrissy Weems is the co-founder and CEO of Origami Owl, a successful jewelry company focused on social selling. The business began when her fourteen-year-old daughter Bella came to her parents asking for a car for her sixteenth birthday. Chrissy, then a stay-at-home mom, and her husband proposed that Bella start a business to earn the money. Bella began selling custom lockets to friends and family.
The business started small with home parties and a kiosk at the local shopping mall, but in a short time, it was turning a profit. Bella earned the money to buy a Jeep for her sixteenth birthday. The company she started with her mother has become an important force in the social selling arena.
Background
Weems is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Fine and Studio Arts and Interior Design. Her strong background in design led her to create an artistic vision for her company. Origami Owl provides a system for clients to customize their jewelry purchases, telling a unique story about their lives or making a treasured gift for a friend or family member.
From Small Beginnings
The first successful product created by Origami Owl is the “Living Locket.” This is a clear-sided piece of jewelry which can be customized with beautiful charms and pieces of memorabilia. Each locket reflects the owner’s personality and interests. This deep connection with the hopes and dreams of its customers has fostered the growth of Origami Owl.
The business made a stunning rise from just a few Independent Designers to a network of thousands. Keeping the company’s main goals in mind proved to be difficult in the midst of outstanding business growth, but Chrissy Weems kept her company grounded. Soon, they were putting all of the proceeds back into the business to support its growth.
Keys to Success
Chrissy Weems credits the efforts of her Independent Designers for the company’s success. Even with outstanding jewelry designs, the company could not prosper without dedicated ambassadors in the community. The company grew through word of mouth as Designers recruited their friends and family.
The keys to Origami Owl’s success lie in its dedication to good works and in its family spirit. The company’s strongly held value of being a “Force for Good” is reflected in all of its dealings with customers and Independent Designers. Chrissy Weems believes in the principle of “pay it forward,” where success in business is passed on to deserving organizations. The company shares its profits with community groups throughout Arizona and also creates special collections to benefit certain causes.
Brand Expansion
The brand has recently expanded into Canada, where it is experiencing a great level of success. Origami Owl’s meteoric rise from a tiny company with just a few employees to a multinational jewelry business is inspiring to entrepreneurs young and old. With Origami Owl’s strong principles and solid business practices, the company provides extra income for thousands of Independent Designers.
Free Time
When she is not running Origami Owl, Weems enjoys spending time with her husband of more than 25 years and her family of five children. She experiments with various artistic designs and creates more ideas for the business.
Chrissy Weems is a fine example of a female CEO leading a growing corporation. Stay-at-home moms are inspired by her dedication to her business as well as her good works. Origami Owl will continue to be a “Force for Good” in the years to come.