A Day Job Inspires Fashion Vet

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business of the Day.

Small Business of the Day: Aya Designs

Who: Aya Turner, 53, @aya_turner

What: Handmade jewelry

When: 2009

How: Before starting her business, Turner worked full-time in the wholesale apparel and jewelry business for more than 20 years.

"At shows, I would think 'I can do this,' especially when I saw the jewelry," she said. "So, I started making things and gave them to my kids and friends as gifts. People started asking if I had my own Website."

In 2009, she began to work part-time, and focused more on her jewelry-making and selling.

Where: Atlanta, Ga.

Biggest lesson learned from a customer: "It's about the finished product," she said. "Use the best findings (for your work), because the actual finished product is really important and makes it much more professional."

To view more Small Businesses of the Day, click our interactive map.