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

Hi Hannah, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I believe consistently posting on our Instagram and Facebook, communicating with our audience via email, and talking with customers on the phone and through Instagram DM’s has helped us succeed. I have shown aspects of my life including my family, birthdays, trips, and heading off to college. This has allowed our customers to feel like they really know us! I think connecting with our customers has really helped us succeed and created a great community through social media.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Before my junior year of high school, I had no clue what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. That all changed in November of 2019 when my mom convinced my sister and me to do a craft project with her. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that simple project would turn into such an incredible opportunity. We began a small company called Cocos Beads that makes handmade jewelry. In the course of six months, I went from selling bracelets to my friends to selling jewelry in over 100 stores across the United States, fulfilling over 15,000 online orders, and amassing a social media following of 19,000 people. With a little bit of good fortune and a lot of hard work, this serendipitous small business journey has taught me invaluable lessons that will guide me through life.

In order to expand our business, we knew we needed to leverage the power of social media to grow our following. We looked up a list of Houston social media influencers, and we started spending every free minute reaching out to them to see if we could send them free bracelets to share on their social media accounts. We were over the moon when high-profile influencers started requesting our bracelets to wear on their social media accounts and tagging us in their pictures. Our confidence in our products began to grow as larger companies promoted our line. During this time, we also began making connections with other online small businesses. By hosting giveaways together, we were able to support and promote each other. Companies began sending us free products to use and feature on our Instagram account as well. We have been able to collaborate with other businesses and have learned that we are linked by a common thread.

When the world came to a halt with COVID-19, we were determined to keep our business running. My focus became marketing our bracelets online. We decided to reinvest the money we had made into running ads on Instagram and Facebook. The week we began running ads, we went from fifteen orders a week to more than a hundred. I was learning valuable things about business that could never be taught in a textbook. Throughout the last few months, Cocos has continued to grow up to approximately 1,500 orders a month. In order to continue our momentum, we found innovative ways to introduce fresh ideas to our customers. Each month we develop a campaign to launch on social media. Sometimes we create teaser videos, provide sneak peeks, or host contests. We have also begun designing merchandise that includes mask lanyards and earrings. Cocos has given me the confidence to know that I am capable of anything. Last summer, I never would have thought that my future would be so clear. Starting a business is hard work, and I have put in many 15-hour days, but the lessons I have learned will be with me forever!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Brunch at Tiny’s No. 5 Shopping in the Heights or the Galleria
Lunch at Mia’s Table- Upper Kirby
Baseball game at Minute Maid Park- I’ve bee going with my grandparents since I was 6 months old!
Dinner at Lopez Mexican restraunt- Family favorite! My grandparents have gone for almost 50 years. All of our special occassions are celebrated here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family! Mom, Dad, Granny, Papa, Grandma, Papa, and Memaw, I could not do this without y’all!

Website: https://cocosbeadsandco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocosbeadsandco/

Image Credits
Caroline Petru Photography

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