Here’s the honest truth: you can start a jewelry business for under $200 if you’re disciplined. But most people spend $1,000–$3,000 in the first year because you can’t resist buying that pretty turquoise nugget.
Think of it like buying a used car. You can get a beater for cheap, but it might leave you stranded. A proper setup costs more, but you won’t cry when a clasp breaks on a $60 bracelet.
Final Reality Check
If you’re reading this with a bead collection already in your drawer, you’re halfway there. Start small, make five things you love, and sell them to your coworkers. If they buy, you’ve got a business. If they laugh, you’ve got a hobby.
Either way, you’ll have a box full of sparkly things and a story about that one time you tried to ship a ring in a coffee filter. And honestly, that’s worth every penny.
