Anomaly8Designs
By Paige Kocourek
What started as a crafty hobby quickly evolved into a booming business for Maris Ivy Adkins, an 11th grade student at Clay County High School. At the end of 2019, Adkins began making earrings for herself, which became an enjoyable and creative release outside of going to school. The idea of starting an Etsy shop materialized as she honed her jewelry-making skills, and by February 2020, she opened Anomaly8Designs. Adkins knew she had something to offer individuals who wanted to wear quirky and bold earrings at affordable prices.
While Anomaly8Designs sells earrings for everyone, Adkins is passionate about catering to the LGBTQ community. As a result, many of her earring designs offer a unique way to showcase pride.
“I want to empower young people and give them the courage to express themselves through their appearance,” Adkins says.
In its first few months, Anomaly8Designs received around 10 orders per week, but this rapidly changed when a TikTok user made a video about unconventional jewelry that represents pride. Anomaly8Designs was one of the main features in the video, and within minutes, the small business exploded with orders. According to Adkins, the weekend following the video release was hectic since she went from receiving 10 orders per week to 50 or 60 orders per day.
“It was then it really became a family affair,” she says. “I had to enlist help from my mom, stepdad and grandmother—anyone with a pair of extra hands. The business has continued to grow from there. This boost gave me the money I needed to add extra items and the confidence to keep going. I now have a huge customer base.”
Currently, Adkins runs the business full-time alongside her mother, who left her career as a legal assistant at Warner Law Offices to assist with Anomaly8Designs. The young business owner is not only managing a successful jewelry company but is simultaneously attending school. She has had to learn time management and personal responsibility to succeed in both her business and the classroom. Most high schoolers do not have the unique experience of becoming a business owner at such a young age.
Following high school graduation, Adkins plans to attend college in Pittsburgh, PA. In the meantime, her business’ success is only growing. She has grown from offering 100 unique designs to around 2,000.
“Work is hard, but it’s necessary. I am so lucky to be able to do what I am doing,” she says.
