Meet-A-Mom: Alex Johanson

I am so excited to team up with a local business-owning Mama, Alex Johanson, a McKinney Mom.

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us a little about yourself. What’s your “mom life” look like here in North Dallas? I am a stay at home mom to two little kids. We relocated to DFW a few years ago from Ohio.  Mom life is chaotic and crazy; we have no family nearby and my village became the other moms and families that we connected with throughout the community. I was the former host of The Mom Walk Collective in McKinney which changed my trajectory of my time here in Dallas in the best way possible. I have found lifelong friends through that group.

 

 

 

 

 

What inspired you to start your jewelry business, and how did the idea first come to life? I was feeling so anxious after the kids went to bed, not knowing how to unwind and have something for “me”.  I told my husband it is either jewelry or an embroidery machine. My whole life has been centered around fashion and design – I formally worked in corporate retail in Chicago and previously ran a fashion blog in 2014 before influencing was a thing.  So with the jewelry, I started posting videos of me creating pieces. One day I got a message on TikTok from a stranger asking to buy a piece and the rest is history. 

 

 

 

 

 

Your pieces are so colorful and whimsical. Where do you draw inspiration from when creating new designs? Like so many other moms, my style changed after having kids. It became leggings and basics -I felt like I lost my style. I wanted something fun and unique that can stand out against a black tennis dress or a white tee. My style would be what I call “elevated modern” meaning I love basics but also pieces that are unique and fun. 

 

 

 

 

 

We heard travel plays a big role in your one-of-a-kind designs, are there any favorite destinations or memories that inspired specific collections? My family loves to travel, and we try to not hit the same place twice. I like to think of some of the cool cities or places we have seen when naming a piece.  The Harbor Town (red beaded layering piece) for example, was inspired after the red lighthouse in Hilton Head Island we went to last summer. 

 

 

 

What do you love most about creating handmade jewelry versus buying mass-produced accessories? After spending so much time working with small businesses with the Mom Walk Co, I realized how much our town needs small businesses.  The local retailers and entrepreneurs in this area supported our group so much; the experience helped re-wire my brain. These are local families that are invested in our communities, and it became our group’s mission to help these founders thrive and our members spend money and keep it in the area.  Especially over the holidays, I really tried to make purchases in downtown Mckinney instead of big box retailers. For my business, the absolute coolest part is seeing people wear a piece around town and tag me. It will never get old. 

 

 

 

 

 

As a small business owner and mom, what has been the biggest challenge of getting your business off the ground? There are simply not enough hours of the day! I am a perfectionist so being able to sit down at night and assess priorities with my family, the kids, and the business helps me stay organized with tasks. A theme for me is always: progress over perfection. 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s something people may not realize about the amount of work and heart that goes into handmade jewelry? Like any small business, you are paying for their time and their designs. I write handwritten thank you notes to people I have never met before – a buyer choosing to shop with me over a big box retailer is something I will not take for granted. 

 

 

 

 

 

North Dallas moms are always looking for unique summer accessories for vacations, pool days, girls’ trips, and date nights. What pieces are you loving for summer right now? The Red Chessy.  I think people get scared about how “bright” it is – but pair it with classic Levis, a nice white tee and a good pair of leather sandals. Elevated basics. 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a “signature style” piece or bestseller that customers keep coming back for? The McKinney has wide range. It will do great for summer concerts and bachelorettes in Nashville. For the local moms. For the girls visiting Dallas. For someone from a small country town. 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you hope women feel when they wear your jewelry? I want them to feel confident.  Motherhood changes you. But I still want you to get dressed and feel like the best version of you no matter what.  I have gone through postpartum twice, and sometimes the best thing was just getting ready and dressed for the day even to sit at home. It is a mind and body connection.

 

 

 

 

 

Vendor markets and pop-up events are such a fun way to shop local. Where can readers find you this summer around North Dallas? I will be at Collective Coffee in downtown Mckinney this Saturday (5/23) at 10am! You can always find me at @perfectly_ruby on Instagram and TikTok. 

 

 

 

 

 

What are some of your favorite local markets or small business communities to be part of? I love the Downtown McKinney Farmers Market, any of the downtown McKinney events (especially the coffee crawls) and I am biased, but the Mom Walk Collective helped me so much as a mother, friend and now a small business owner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s next for your brand? Any upcoming launches, collections, or dreams you’re excited about? The website is coming in June! Cannot wait. We are using a local photographer (a sponsor I met from hosting mom walk) with my mom walk friends as models – so everything does come full circle. I am blown away by the love and support the community has shown me so far – I really am living the dream and so forever grateful.