A 2012 Purcell High School graduate is making her mark in bling.
Jodie Taylor, also known as “JoJo Gypsy” Jodie, has been building a successful jewelry business out of her Pauls Valley home for the past several years.
Jodie graduated from Stenography School in 2015 and spent the next few years working as a court reporter in Stephens and Garvin Counties.
With limited advancement opportunities as a stenographer, Jodie wanted more out of her career.
She enjoyed her job in the courthouse but found herself with a lot of downtime during the Covid pandemic.
She used that time to start researching the jewelry business.
Jodie always had an eye for turquoise and would dress up her outfits with beautiful Squash Blossom necklaces and lovely silver bracelets.
Her jewelry was so stunning that attorneys would often try to buy what she was wearing.
She decided to see if she could turn her jewelry hobby into a lucrative side-gig.
Jodie took $1,000 of her savings to invest in herself and purchased some beautiful turquoise pieces.
“Through the grace of God I spoke with a special Native artisan and I was able to place an order through his people.”
Jodie respects the privacy of her suppliers and chose to not use his name. She hosted a Facebook Live event and sold out almost immediately. She paid herself back her initial investment and started buying more jewelry.
“My business wouldn’t be where it is if I didn’t take risks,” she admitted
That early risk has paid off for Jodie.
“When I started selling jewelry, I realized I could provide myself the kind of lifestyle I wanted on my own.”
Her biggest supporters include her parents, her late Granny, and her fiance, Wyatt Edwards.
Jodie remembers a conversation she had with Wyatt.
“I said ‘I’m going to go to the Finals and make six figures.’ I did it the first year.”
Getting selected to have a booth at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas is an accomplishment in itself. She not only secured a spot at Cowboy Christmas, but crushed her sales goals as well.
This will be her third year in Vegas for the NFR and her first year at the Texas High School Rodeo Finals.
It is said that a person has to retire or die for a new vendor to get a booth spot in Abilene.
Whatever the circumstances are, JoJo Gypsy will be a fixture at the THSRF for years to come.
Jodie recently had a booth at Calf Fry, a musical festival in Stillwater which she described as “an experience.”
JoJo Gypsy has a full schedule.
She will be in Perry, Ga., for the National Junior High School Rodeo Finals, Gillette, Wy., for the National High School Rodeo Finals and in Guthrie for the National Little Britches Rodeo Finals.
Being an entrepreneur is not easy Jodie explained.
“This has been very challenging. I worked by butt off, but anyone can do it.”
Jodie recently spent some time in Oregon refining her silverwork skills to prepare for her next venture-JoJo Silver Company.
She will be handcrafting custom silver jewelry, something the artisans she typically buys from do not do. She is excited to be able to create custom pieces for her customers.
Jodie has a great deal of respect for the Navajo artisans she works with.
JoJo Gypsy will continue to sell the same high quality handmade pieces she acquires from the Navajo artisans and she will sell her own silverwork under the name JoJo Silver Company.
This separation will differentiate her work from the Native artisans.
You can find JoJo Gypsy on social media to check out her online store.
And coming soon, you will be able to shop in person at her brick and mortar store.
You read it here first that JoJo Gypsy is opening a store and workshop in downtown Pauls Valley.
Construction should be completed soon and doors are scheduled to open mid-June.
Jodie believes that anything is possible if you follow your dreams and work hard.
“If you dream big, the sky is the limit,” she beamed.
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