Exploring Life and Business with Deadra Jackson Lewis

Posted by Deadra Lewis on March 15, 2022

Exploring Life and Business with Deadra Jackson Lewis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deadra Jackson Lewis.

Hi Deadra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I joined a multi-level company called Paparazzi Accessories to earn extra money because my husband was injured on the job and only receiving workman’s compensation to help cover our monthly expenses. The majority of us understand that workman’s comp only covers 60% of potentially earned income, correct? We had a mortgage, 2 car payments and many other bills to be paid. How in the world would we manage without his income? I was desperate for answers!

While attending an event, I met a Paparazzi Consultant vending there. I was mesmerized immediately with this $5 jewelry. However, I wasn’t confident that I could do the same as the consultant was doing, running a small business, but I signed up.

Once I took the first initial steps to become a consultant, I received my starter kit. I did the necessary research concerning social marketing and started advertising on Facebook, using my personal account. Telling all my family and friends that I was now the new “Jewelry Lady.”

In no time, surprisingly, I was reordering inventory to restock! In my first year, I was able to keep my family’s finances afloat. The second year I made enough money to open a boutique, leasing a space! Being a consultant has been a wonderful-fulfilling experience!

During the early beginning of the COVID pandemic, I worked 6 am – 4:30pm virtually for my day job, giving me plenty of opportunity to focus on my jewelry business and the amount of residual income I wanted to earn. Once it started to take off, I added handbags to my inventory. The addition was a win; however, COVID had other plans for me. I was forced to close the store-front and go back to working as an online store.

Despite the ups and downs, I continued to push through by learning all I could on how to make my business a success. I took online courses in social media and marketing. Through my research, I found a group that offered In-depth training on how to turn your side hustle into a business. Within that group, I learned how to customize t-shirts, cups, tumblers, jewelry and how to make my business a legit entity.

Today, I am proud to say that I have 2 e-commerce businesses, Deez Jazzi Jewelry and Deez Jazzi Customs, that have loyal customers and a unique following on social media that is shared throughout the different platforms. My plans are, once COVID has become a thing of the past, to open another storefront.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

My husband was on workman’s comp for 5 years before he went back to work. It has not been easy. The main struggles are finding who your audience is. Trying to find what your customers want is like looking in a mirror with no reflection. It’s hit and miss. You find yourself wasting a lot of time on things that your audience won’t care about, which also equals to wasted money.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

I have a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in human resources. I graduated Magna Claude from Walden University. I own an online store that specializes in unique custom-designed apparel and accessories. I am known for my custom tumblers that I create using sublimation. I make tumblers that are inspired by my customer’s vision. I want to make my customers feel like I have captured every aspect of memory or activity just for them. This requires me to create a unique design just for them. That talent sets me apart from the others. I am most proud of my determination. I could have folded, quit when things got crazy during COVID and I was forced to close my doors on my storefront only after 1 year of opening the doors, but I stayed true to my dreams. One thing I can honestly say about me is that I am a loyal person, even to myself.

I would like for the readers to know that even though we are a small business, we are capable of big things! We offer custom t-shirts, cups, flags, banners, jewelry, and even grave blankets for your loved ones. We use a variety of materials such as vinyl and different processes such as sublimation to give you exactly what you or your business needs. We work closely with you to make your experience a personalized one.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?

Growing up I was very outspoken. My father always says he doesn’t know a time when I didn’t speak my mind. I loved animals and still do. I wanted to be a veterinarian. In my business, a lot of my work reflects that outspoken personality.

Contact Info:

Website: https://deezjazzicustoms.com

Instagram: instagram.com/deezjazzicustoms

Facebook: facebook.com/deezjazzicustoms

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VoyageSavannah is part of the LA-based Voyage Group of Magazines. Our mission is to promote mom and pops, artists, creatives, makers and small businesses by providing a platform for these hidden gems to tell their stories in their own words.

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Tags: business, deadra jackson, deadra lewis, savannah, small businesses, voyage