Kelly Bozigian, a 32-year-old entrepreneur from Boston, Massachusetts, is the co-founder of Coastal Caviar, a handmade jewelry company specializing in charm necklaces and bracelets. Alongside her husband, Colt Bozigian, Kelly embarked on this side hustle journey after leaving her full-time job as an associate creative director at the TJX Companies for the TJ Maxx brand. Colt continues to work in software sales, balancing their entrepreneurial venture with his corporate career.
The inspiration for Coastal Caviar struck Kelly during a beach trip in June 2023. While searching for a charm necklace for an upcoming vacation, she realized the lack of mainstream retailers offering this style. Frustrated with the limited options available, Kelly envisioned a unique online experience where customers could design their own charm jewelry through an interactive website. Thus, Coastal Caviar was born, focusing not only on the jewelry itself but also on the innovative “charm builder” feature.
Taking immediate action upon returning home, Kelly purchased a domain name and began designing the website. Her impulsive nature and “just get it done” mentality propelled the business forward, setting the foundation for Coastal Caviar’s rapid growth. Utilizing platforms like Upwork for finding talented partners and joining freelance groups like Freelance Founders for networking and hiring, Kelly and Colt navigated the challenges of starting and running their business efficiently.
Reflecting on their entrepreneurial journey, Kelly acknowledges the importance of being prepared for success. The unexpected surge in demand following a collaboration with a prominent influencer highlighted the need for robust inventory and streamlined processes. Overcoming setbacks, such as product quality issues, reinforced the value of maintaining customer trust and prioritizing relationships within their loyal consumer base.
Despite the initial hurdles, Coastal Caviar experienced remarkable success shortly after its launch in January 2024. Leveraging TikTok as a marketing platform, Kelly’s engaging content and influencer partnerships propelled the brand to over $100,000 in sales within the first month. Subsequently, the business achieved $1 million in sales within six months and surpassed $2 million in revenue within a year, showcasing the power of social media in driving growth.
Dedicated to their business, Kelly and Colt invest significant time and effort into Coastal Caviar, working long hours to ensure its success. Despite the challenges, Kelly finds fulfillment in connecting with their community through social media, sharing their entrepreneurial journey, and inspiring others to pursue their business dreams. Embracing a “just do it” approach, Kelly advises aspiring entrepreneurs to take action, put their product or service out into the world, and adapt as they grow and scale their business.
In conclusion, Kelly Bozigian’s entrepreneurial journey with Coastal Caviar exemplifies the power of innovation, perseverance, and community engagement in building a successful side hustle. Through strategic partnerships, creative marketing strategies, and a customer-centric approach, Kelly and Colt have transformed a simple idea into a thriving business, inspiring others to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations with passion and determination.
