Meet Megan Reilly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Reilly. 

Hi Megan, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
“Short” Autobiography I was born and raised in Muskegon, MI to a large, devoted family of dentists! I knew from a very young age that dental was not for me, but I did know I loved children and crafting. Imagine a 6-year-old little girl carrying her baby dolls everywhere she went and being drawn to stop, smile, and say hello to any real baby I saw (kind of like when people react to cute dogs ). I knew I was meant to be a mother, but there was/ is this calling for me to be a voice for other children as well. Growing up I loved crafting and enjoyed creating any kind of craft using my hands and creativity. My grandmother, Julie, has been a retired registered dental hygienist for many years, but has been able to practice and pursue an art career over the past 30 years! Growing up, Julie was a huge part of nurturing my artistic side by inviting my siblings, cousins, and myself to art courses at the local downtown gallery or just to come over and paint whatever was on our minds. I always enjoyed these moments and still hold them close to me as a reminder of the wonderful childhood I was blessed with. 

Back in 2010, at the ripe age of 18, I began my educational journey at Central Michigan University to pursue a degree in Education. During my first year, I quickly changed from education to psychology once I took the 100-level course and fell in love with the subject. Due to a MAJOR lack of mental health care, I decided to put education on hold until I could get my priorities and head back in the right order. Fast forward to 2015, my life brought me across the country to Oregon where I fell in love and ended up with an unexpected pregnancy. My greatest blessing, Braxton, was born in September 2016, and I am now the incredibly proud, single mother to this astonishing 6-year-old boy. With the help of my family tribe, I have learned to confidently raise him as gender non-conforming since the young age of 18 months old. Since this early age, has always been drawn to what society has labeled “for girls only” and insists he has the pinkest outfit with the most glitter. How could I refuse my child’s own happiness for the sake of keeping others comfortable or even easing my own insecurities? Spoiler alert, I did not, and that is why he has been the inspiration to pursue a career as a voice for children like him and any child. 

In the fall of 2021, I was accepted into Grand Valley State as a transfer student to finish my bachelor’s degree in psychology and pursue my dream of becoming a Child Life Specialist at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Life has been a bit hectic the last 2 years since trying to build back a normal life since the covid-19 catastrophe began. Being a single mother and a full-time student requires pretty much all of my time, but I still needed to figure out how I would provide a source of income for my son and myself. The idea to start my own business in Permanent Jewelry came suddenly after getting my own personal permanent bracelet with a good friend of mine who had heard of this new fashion trend and jumped on it right away! I was very impressed with the two women who owned this permanent jewelry business mainly because they were not any older than myself and one of the women had her two young children with her because the babysitter had fallen through that day. I was convinced after seeing these girls run their own businesses I could too. Since I was lucky enough to buy a home right before the pandemic and before the housing market went crazy, I fixed it up and sold it in early 2022. The profit I made from the sale helped me pay off a few debts and then start my new business. The idea behind the jewelry that speaks to me the most is the message behind wearing it. The jewelry turns an intangible feeling (love, commitment, happiness) into a tangible one. To me that was special and a message I could stand behind when selling the product to others. I started my business, Connections Jewelry, in August 2022 only to find out that owning and running your own business is REALLY HARD!! However, with the combination of confidence, persistence, patience, and help from my family tribe, I have been learning how to succeed in my new business. The overall message of my jewelry could represent the love between two people or the commitment of friendship among multiple individuals. When people experience a loss or a huge change in life, a reminder to have strength, patience, and love could be the driving force to get them through. My jewelry could be a reminder to the person to keep going when they feel like all they have is themselves. I have come to really enjoy this new journey and I plan to continue it if the experience remains a positive one. The connections I have made with new individuals along with hearing their stories make life so much more interesting and insightful. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
OF COURSE NOT! The struggles along the road would include more financial debt, fragile mental health, and raising a 6-year-old as a single parent. These are struggles only because I want to see myself overcome them because they do not define who I am. One particular struggle I experienced (and still experience) was rejection! I knew I had to network and gain my clients and one way to do that is through getting to know other local business owners in your area. At first, I was quickly told ” no thanks” by many local stores and boutiques in my hometown after requesting to collaborate with my new business. At first, the rejection felt personal, but once I realized it was not, I was truly able to begin seeing great things start happening. Being rejected hurts, but it is only a temporary feeling, and once you let go of the bad feeling and move forward, life becomes a little happier. Being patient with the process and myself has also been a struggle. There have been weeks that I felt like quitting and all the hard work is not paying off. My cousin, Jessica (Dr. Lambert DDS) told me during one tough week, ” If you feel like quitting that means you’re working hard at it, so do not quit!” This has really stuck with me, and I think about it often, especially when I am having a difficult time. I am happy to report school is the least stressful thing in my life. I have this idea that the routine I follow for school has helped me shape a good one for my business. Plus, I really enjoy learning new things, and all of my professors have been fantastic at GVSU. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a hardworking individual who is constantly striving to improve and overcome any obstacles in my path. My biggest accomplishment has been achieving my college degree in psychology and raising my beautiful child as a single parent, which I am incredibly proud of. My determination to succeed, paired with my strong work ethic, has allowed me to become a well-rounded individual. I take pride in my ability to think critically and analytically, allowing me to come up with creative solutions that have helped me in both my professional and personal life. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Something Important I have learned is that germs spread faster than I thought and that life is precious. Covid-19 was this period of reflection for me since I was fortunate enough to not be burdened with the financial strain many experienced during the time. I removed myself from a toxic relationship, gained the courage to return to school to finish my degree, and started my own business! The pandemic was a huge wake-up call for me because it pushed me to see life as something to experience instead of just surviving it. It has also shown me the power of the internet!! Marketing my business through social media and a website has been my main source of reaching all sorts of people! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.connectionsjewelry.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectionspermanentjewelry