Jonathan Foltz is the founder of Aphrodite’s, a global jewelry e-tailer known for their experiential gifts that skyrocketed during the pandemic. In the past four years, Jonathan has created four separate million-dollar brands spanning various industries. His flagship company, Aphrodite’s made $31 million in sales in the past 3.5 years, leading to the fast-growing brand to be acquired by Bergio International, a leading jewelry designer and manufacturer, for $5 million. Jonathan is a visionary for disruption in exponential technology, e-commerce, and blockchain & the new model within the digital realm. He hopes to bring his forward-thinking ideas to the new partnership.
What is Aphrodite’s all about?
Aphrodite’s is an affordable luxury jewelry brand that aims to create and share magnificent jewelry and accessories with women worldwide. We specialize in statement jewelry and must-have accessories. Our mission is to offer high-quality, gorgeous pieces which encourage women to look and feel their very best. We were recently acquired by Bergio International, a world-renowned fine jewelry brand, and we are incredibly excited about the partnership.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company
I had previously invested in various businesses, mainly in the retail space. When I was deciding what products to include in our first Aphrodite’s collection, I discovered a heart-shaped tree of life design that caught my eye. It did okay but not as great as I felt it should be doing. It wasn’t until I tweaked our offer, our pricing, and double down on the exposure that the magic began to happen. It went viral, and that is when Aphrodite’s began to scale and get us to where we are today.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
You have to have passion for what you’re doing and have a reason why you’re doing it. It cannot be only about the money. There has to be a higher purpose. You also need to be present and not take things at face value because you’re going to encounter many people that don’t agree with your vision. But you have to stay balanced and always remain present. This will allow you to listen without reacting in the wrong manner. Being present will also lead to more inspiration and creativity.
What are your plans for the future? How do you plan to grow this company?
We plan to scale the brand substantially and significantly expand our footprint on the internet. In the future, we look forward to collaboration and cross-promotions with our parent company, Bergio International. They bring an incredible amount of industry knowledge, particularly on the manufacturing side, which will allow us to elevate our designs while maintaining an accessible price point.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
We create an experience for our customers. From start to finish, we make sure our customers are happy and pleased through every step of the process. We make it personal for every customer and the people they are gifting. Creating this experience ensures the people purchasing our jewelry will come back in the future.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
I think in the beginning, I had shiny object syndrome, which was hugely distracting. It is essential to get your house in order before you try new things. Make sure you are running your core business correctly before you go off and try to conquer more.
Proper planning is also critical. Failing to plan is a guaranteed plan to fail, so make sure you have a game plan for where you want your business to grow.
Lastly, getting the appropriate people on your team is key. By having a fun and collaborative team, you will always be inspired to do better.
Tell us a bit about your marketing process. What has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
Our biggest channel of marketing is social media. We have doubled down on Facebook and Instagram marketing, utilizing viral videos and imagery. That has been our most successful strategy by far, and we continue to find ways to go viral through other social media channels.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
I wish I understood the value of more in-depth research before investing. Through experience, I’ve learned better how to dig into a company’s numbers and evaluate its growth. This has allowed me to invest in very successful companies over my career.
For a book, I’d recommend Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. I don’t listen to many podcasts, but I’ve taken several courses and seminars. I would say the Breakthrough Experience by John DeMartini is the best course for any entrepreneur.
If you only had $1000 to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
If I only had $1000, I would hire a mentor that had experience in the business I was pursuing. Many costly mistakes can be avoided, and your path to success can be supercharged when having the guidance of someone who has been there before.
What is your favorite quote?
“Listen to everyone, read everything; believe absolutely nothing unless you can prove it in your own right!”
-Milton William Cooper.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Be careful with allowing people around you to influence what you should want out of life. Instead, focus on what you’re inspired to do. If you’re having fun, it won’t feel like work. Get tuned into your purpose. No matter what challenges arise, your passion will help you get through them and come out stronger on the other side.
How can we get in touch with you?
You can find us by visiting our website aphrodites.com or find us via social media Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
Related Interview: Meet Berge Abajian, the President, CEO, and Head Designer of Bergio
