Daily Inspiration: Meet Becky Lile

Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Lile.  

Hi Becky, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Oakwood Avenue got started almost 5 years ago when my husband and I were needing to make some extra money. We had a 6-month-old and I was not interested in leaving him in someone else’s care. My husband took a chance on me and I started DB Designs. A short time later I changed the name to Oakwood Avenue, paying homage to where we got our start as a family. I began making beaded earrings and it has evolved into leather, wood, and our newest adventure in polymer clay earrings. I mainly make earrings – it’s just what I am best at so I stick to that. I’ve loved this journey as a small business owner as I get to be creative, be my own boss, work my own schedule, and, most importantly, be there for my kids. I love going to markets and getting to see my customers face-to-face. My husband actually comes along on market days and really enjoys helping me out and I hope to one day have my kids there to help out. I am now branching out into local boutiques more and love to see my earrings in shops around Ohio. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If it was a smooth road then I wouldn’t have learned so much. I’m grateful for all the bumps and curves this business has thrown at me. I have grown so much as a person because of being a small business owner. As every small business owner knows, figuring out taxes is the worse. In all seriousness, I’ll never forget when I started, I really wanted to get some new bead colors and some organization but we were really strapped for cash. One of my best friends sent me a few hundred dollars and I truly feel like that was a turning point for me. Someone else believed in me so much that she wanted to do that for me. I’ll never be able to thank her enough for that. Finding the work/family balance is still something that I struggle with. I put making beaded earrings (which is very time-consuming) on hold so I can focus more on my time with my kids – they are only little once. Finding that balance is a struggle for so many works from home mommas. Social media is a whole other struggle for small businesses as it is every changing. I just find that I do what makes me happy and everything else falls into place. I don’t sweat all the ‘rules’ there are to have a ‘successful’ business on social media. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Mainly, I am now focusing on earrings. My newest love is polymer clay. There are so many possibilities and colors and shapes you can do with polymer clay. I feel like I am known for my leather earrings. I am always working on new shapes and everyone’s favorite combines the leather with wood pieces. Each season I release new colors and prints. I am loving playing with wood as well. I am currently working on a new set of floral engraved wood earrings that I can’t wait to release this summer. I create sketches on my iPad and send them off to another small shop who cuts the wood with a laser. 

I loved creating beaded earrings and was doing well online with that. But all pairs were made-to-order and took over an hour to create one pair. I decided it was best for my family to have a present mama. So, until the kids are older, the beaded is taking a backseat. 

I am proud of all of it. I work really hard to create QUALITY earrings that will last and look expensive. I take time to test new products and only use the best materials. I work hard to master a medium and learn all that I can about it so I know that I am creating quality pieces. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Community over competition is my motto. There is space here for everyone. Social media is a great resource to find people like you with similar interests. Not everyone is as friendly as you would hope but there are so many amazing small business owners out there that are willing to lend a helping hand or lift you up in any way you need. A great tip for anyone who does markets – talk to your neighbors! I have met amazing people doing the same hustle as me and who are willing to share tips and tricks they have learned along the way. I’m so lucky to call so many fellow business owners friends, it really is a gift that I don’t take for granted. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.oakwoodavenue.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakwood.avenue
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shop.oakwood.avenue

Image Credits
Brittany Humes Photography