As we approach the second anniversary of LuvLoops, I thought it would be the perfect time to share a little story with you all. Let's dive into the tale of our founder, Essa Chen, and how she embarked on her journey to create a sustainable jewelry brand that we all know and love.

Are you ready to hear my story? Let's begin!

TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU’RE FROM!

Hey there, I'm Essa! I come from a small city in mainland China called Huzhou, which is located along the old Silk Road. Growing up in China, I always had a passion for hospitality, which led me to study it in Switzerland after high school.

Fast forward a few years, and I found myself in London on a one-year placement, where I happened to meet the love of my life (who is now my husband!). After completing my placement, I went back to China, and we had a long-distance relationship for two and a half years before finally registering our marriage in 2018. Since then, we've been happily married and building our lives together.

HOW DID YOU FIRST COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF LUVLOOPS?

Once upon a time, I had a wild idea of starting my very own bikini line. But let's be real, I don't exactly have the body for it, haha! However, when my husband asked me where I found my passion, my eyes instantly fell on my jewellery box. That's when the spark ignited in my mind, and the idea of starting a jewellery business began to take root.

It wasn't until my birthday trip to Sicily in 2018 that everything really came together. I packed all the jewellery I had back then, hoping to look stunning for the camera. But when I got back to the hotel room, I discovered that some of the pieces had turned my skin green and left ugly marks. My heart sank as I realized that I wanted beautiful and meaningful jewellery that wouldn't hurt my skin.

That's when my husband surprised me with a stunning gold vermeil gemstone ring from a high-end jewellery shop, and it's still one of my most treasured possessions to this day. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to create something just as special - jewellery that's not only beautiful but also safe for sensitive skin. And that's how the idea for LuvLoops was born.

 

SO HOW DID YOU ACTUALLY GET LUVLOOPS UP AND RUNNING?

Well, it all started with buying wires and beads on Etsy and making jewellery pieces by myself!

To my surprise, my friends and colleagues at work started buying the items I made, and they really loved what I created, which motivated me to keep going. In 2019, I was encouraged to take it a step further and created my Instagram account to reach a wider audience and began taking pictures of my creations and posting them on the platform. It was a small but meaningful step towards building my own brand.

 

TELL US HOW YOU FELT AS LUVLOOPS STARTED TO GROW!

From feeling alone and isolated in a new country with only my husband as my friend, to starting a side business that suddenly had an audience and customers - it all felt like a surreal and magical dream come true.

I'll never forget the feeling of pure excitement and joy when we hit our first 1000 followers on social media. It was such a momentous occasion that I couldn't sleep, and I kept asking my husband in disbelief, "Can you believe it?" It was such a powerful reminder that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of magic.

In 2020:

 

In 2023:

 

 

As our journey continued, we hit milestone after milestone - 2000, 5000, 10k, and now an incredible 36.2k followers on Instagram and 18.1K on TikTok! It's all thanks to you, our amazing community, who have stuck with us every step of the way. I can't express enough gratitude for your support, you are the most valuable thing to LuvLoops and to me!

What inspired you to pursue LuvLoops full-time?

After facing a setback in my career due to the pandemic, I was left feeling lost and unsure of what to do next. It was a difficult time for me, and I struggled with stress and mental health challenges. But with the support of my loved ones and the encouragement of my followers on LuvLoops, I found the strength to pursue my passion and take my creative platform to new heights.

With each new follower, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. And as I poured my energy and talents into LuvLoops, I discovered the incredible potential of this platform to bring joy and inspiration to people around the world. Today, I am proud to say that I am living my dream, thanks to the love and support of those who believe in me and my vision for a brighter future.

 

WHERE IS LUVLOOPS CURRENTLY AT RIGHT NOW? WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

LuvLoops is a growing creative platform with endless potential! While we're still in the early stages, we're constantly exploring new ideas and ways to delight our beloved customers.

As we continue to innovate and expand, I have big dreams for LuvLoops in the years ahead. One of my goals is to host pop-up stores where I can meet my customers in person and collaborate with like-minded individuals who share our passion for creating beautiful and inspiring products.

For me, LuvLoops is more than just a job - it's a calling. I'm committed to making it my lifetime career and never giving up on our mission to spread joy and happiness through every package we send. The thought of making someone smile or brightening their day with our products fills me with excitement and purpose. I can't wait to see what the future holds for LuvLoops, and I'm grateful for every customer and supporter who has helped us get to where we are today.

 

TALKING OF GOALS, WHAT IS YOUR MAIN MISSION WITH LUVLOOPS?

At LuvLoops, we're all about creating beautiful and meaningful jewellery that connects people and empowers them to feel their best. Each piece we create is designed to celebrate love, friendship, and connection, and serve as a reminder of the special bonds we share with those who matter most. Join us in spreading love and inspiration through the power of jewellery. 

We're also passionate about creating ethical and sustainable jewellery that's as kind to the earth as it is to the people who wear it. Our pieces are crafted with care and attention to detail, using only the finest materials and methods that respect the environment and support our community.

But we're not just about making jewellery - we're about creating a sustainable lifestyle that inspires people to make conscious choices and embrace a more mindful way of living. We believe that every decision we make, no matter how small, can have a big impact on the world around us. And we're committed to doing our part to make that impact a positive one.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE WANTING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS THEMSELVES?

For anyone looking to start their own business, my biggest piece of advice is to chase your dreams fearlessly. Don't let doubts or uncertainties hold you back from pursuing what you're truly passionate about. Remember that if I can do it, you can do it too. So go ahead and take that leap of faith, and always believe in yourself. You've got this!

That's also the reason why I created the Fearless Heart Collection to be a reminder of your inner fire and resilience. 

AND FINALLY, LET’S DO A QUICK FIRE-ROUND OF YOUR FAVOURITES!

TELL US WHAT YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR IS.    

When it comes to color, I have to go with green. There's just something about the vibrant hues of spring and summer that I love, which is why I co-designed the Spring Fairy collection. It's filled with beautiful, sparkly gemstones that capture the essence of the season and bring a touch of magic to any outfit. Plus, I'm a bit of a plant lover and always striving to turn my home into a little forest oasis!

OKAY, WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLANT THEN?

I have a Prayer Plant here called Freddo!

 

AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SONG RIGHT NOW?

The Other Side of Paradise by Glass Animal.

 

DO YOU HAVE A SINGER YOU LOVE?

Billie Eilish!

 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?

Huoguo, known as Chinese hot pot! 

 

TELL US YOUR PERSONAL FAVOURITE JEWELLERY PIECE HERE AT LUVLOOPS!

Definitely my Fearless Heart Pendant. She is designed to remind myself of my inner strength and resilience.

 

AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO AT HOME?

Stroking my pet rabbit Bunini and Mocha the cat hihi! 

 

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS YOUR MOST LOVED PLACE?

I really love Sicily and Amalfi Coast but if I have to choose one, then I’d probably choose Amalfi Coast.

 

AND LAST BUT NOT AT ALL LEAST, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM OR SERIES?

Probably the X-Men Series! I love Wolverine!