Not too long after I officially started my Etsy shop, Feathers and Brass, I received a message from another entrepreneur requesting that I “change my product.” Huh?! Where is this coming from and why would they personally message me telling me this? As someone with anxiety (and who doesn’t have anxiety?!) this was terrifying! So many thoughts went through my head and this was a huge stressor for me. I started this jewelry company to help make people feel good about themselves and someone was asking me to stop? I never once claimed to be affiliated with this brand and aside from the very basic concept of hand stamping words on keys- I had nothing in common with this company. This person was not the first person to hand stamp keys and certainly will not be the last. After dodging panic attacks, doing my homework, consulting with a number of lawyer friends and a top copyright/trademark lawyer here in LA— they all informed me of the same thing: this was classic trademark bullying. This person was reaching out to ask me to stop and had absolutely no legal basis for this “request.” They said their product was copyrighted and their company is trademarked (along with their trademark number). Two things wrong with this assertion. Number one, you can only copyright a literal piece/expression of work (so a specific necklace- not the idea of hand stamping keys) and number two, your company name is trademarked so I cannot use your name. Congratulations. Why would I ever even do that?! It was clear that their intent was to intimidate me into changing my product. Ha. You’re trying to intimidate the wrong chickadee.

The messages were passive-aggressive and completely inappropriate to even send me- but what a strange way to find out I was even on the map! This only further stoked the fire in my belly. So at least I have this person to thank for that. It caused me to hustle more and hit the pavement harder. I wanted to fight extra hard for the other companies like mine out there who this person/company might be reaching out to hoping to intimidate them to stop their livelihood. Are you kidding me?! I would never, ever, EVER even think to ask anyone to stop being creative and cease a source of income.

It’s funny because I’ve since become something of friends with a fellow shop owner who some might see as competition for my company. I don’t see competition. I see a hardworking mom making personalized jewelry to support her family. Who am I to stand in the way of that? Instead, I see her strength and creativity and I lift her up. In creating a jewelry company, I hope I’ve created a movement. A love spreading revolution. The person who messaged me had a choice- they made theirs and I made mine. I will always choose to uplift and I hope you do too. ❤