Most nursing majors accepted into the Loewenberg College of Nursing celebrate by purchasing scrubs instead of changing their major, but most nursing majors are not Brooke Ballard.
Ballard, 22, will receive a Bachelor’s of Professional Studies in fashion merchandising after she changed her major once she was already accepted into the nursing program.
“I had already completed my prerequisites for nursing school,” Ballard said. “I had actually already purchased my scrubs and completed everything required to get started for the following semester.”
The University of Memphis senior decided to pursue a career in fashion after making a necklace to match an outfit she was planning to wear. After creating the necklace, Ballard realized how much she enjoyed the activity and thought of pursuing it as a hobby, but nursing school was still her primary goal. But after receiving countless compliments from her family and friends, Ballard decided to take jewelry-making more seriously. After talking it over with her family, she took the plunge and changed her major.
“I just decided to finally follow my dream of pursuing a fashion career,” Ballard said. “My friends and family always knew I was meant to follow that path, so they were proud of me for standing up for myself.”
Ballard said she did not have apprehensions about going to nursing school or pursuing a career as nurse — she knew she would be fine with either choice. Ballard changed her major because she felt like she “finally had the courage to do so.”
Soon after officially changing her major, Ballard took the next step in her jewelry-making career and begin selling her creations. She started by promoting her jewelry on Facebook and Instagram. She still received praise from friends and family, but she wanted to make a big move. Ballard opened an account on the e-commerce website Etsy and began selling her jewelry to a wider audience.
Within the first six months of selling her jewelry on Etsy, two local boutiques approached her. The first business saw some of Ballard’s designs on Facebook and Etsy and decided to reach out to her. After another shop approached her, and she signed with both businesses, Ballard determined that the last step in her “big change” was to open her business, Janey Bee Jems.
Ballard makes each piece of jewelry by hand and specializes in necklaces, bracelets and earrings, and the process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Although all her jewelry sells well, she receives more orders for her statement necklaces.
What began as a hobby back in 2015 has now changed her life. Over two years later, Ballard has opened over 40 stores across the country selling her jewelry.
“There’s a creative, business and marketing aspect that includes different steps such as branding, advertising and selling,” Ballard said.
Even though she already purchased her scrubs, she decided to start over, and she said she has “no regrets” over her change.
Brooke Ballard displays some of her necklaces from Janey Bee Jems. Ballard, 22, decided to give up her goal to be a nurse to pursue her passion for fashion.
