Miss Got Rocks

By SARAH LYNCH / The Independent

ASHALND June 14, 2007 12:37 pm

— Cheryl Spriggs said she had no problem adding jewels to an already successful clothing business.
Opened less than a year ago, Miss Got Rocks has already made a name for itself in downtown Ashland — because the girls love a little “bling-bling,” Spriggs said.
The Ashland city commissioner has sold a line of clothing, “Juliana Collezione,” by New York designer Juliana Cos, for five years. The decision to add accessories designed by Rodigo Otazu in Amsterdam was almost made for her by clients.
“I was wearing the jewelry before I actually started carrying it,” she said. “Ladies were literally buying the earrings off my ears and necklaces off my neck. Everybody would just ‘Ooo’ and ‘Ahhh’ over it.”
The jewels were so popular, she decided she needed a place to sell it. Though the initial rave over her jewelry began three years ago, the store officially opened at its location on 15th Street in October.
“I had been looking at the little store I am in now for years,” Spriggs explained. “It was just meant for me to be there.”
The chic design of the store front, which announces “Miss Got Rocks” in glittery letters, can’t be missed — much like the jems inside.
“A woman has to have a lot of confidence to carry it off,” Spriggs said about the jewelry. “You definitely get a lot of attention wearing it because it is so big, shiny and fun. It says, ‘I’m successful and I look good.’”
The real beauty, she said, is that making a purchase doesn’t require a bank loan.
“You can have upscale fashion jewelry without investing a fortune,” she said. “It’s so unique and you feel good when you wear it.”
The retail business and her vision as a city commissioner go hand-in-hand, she said.
“I am an advocate for downtown. I believe in it. And what I am hearing from the other commissioners is that everyone is into energizing the downtown,” she said. “I want to see more successful, thriving businesses here. Ashland needs more little shops like mine and those that were here before me.”
Businesses offering something on the “funky and fun” side will encourage patrons to take notice of what downtown has to offer.
“More and more people are wanting to get out and walk around to visit little specialty shops, to have a sandwich or listen to someone playing guitar on the sidewalk,” she said. “That’s my vision.”
Spriggs said trunk shows, which helped establish her clientele, are still on the agenda.
“I started out doing just trunk shows where women can make an appointment for a private viewing of the clothing line that is sent to me,” she said. “The client decides what they want, I place the order and it is shipped to them by the designer.”
Invitations are sent out for Spriggs’ trunk shows but anyone can make an appointment for a viewing. The next Juliana Collezione trunk show will be Aug. 15 for the fall line.
Keeping it small is the name of the game for Spriggs. Her trunk shows prevents the need for carrying a bunch of merchandise.
“I’m going to stay primarily jewelry,” she said. “However, I do have a few handbags and plan on offering Beijo designs exclusively.
“I’m doing well with what I have now,” she said. “You know how we women love bright, shiny things.”