We had the good fortune of connecting with Maggie Weagley and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Maggie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Growing up, I always ran “businesses” throughout elementary and highschool. I made everything from handmade erasers and bracelets to art I’d sell to friends and family. My childhood dreams became my livelihood when I was 20 years old. Around that time, I became very sick. I found out I was dealing with a host of chronic conditions that caused me intense pain. I was in college full time and I had to drop my classes and my part time job to focus on my health. It flipped my world upside down. Trying to figure out what was going on with my body and battling pain became my full time job. Weeks quickly turned to months of being debilitatingly sick. I had to ration my motivation with my limited supply of energy. I was faced with the stark realization that I didn’t have the luxury of good health. My time, energy, and physical capabilities were limited. Everything I decided to do became an intentional choice. My time became incredibly important and critical to me. I would spend it only with the things that made me the happiest. It didn’t take long to conclude that creating and expressing were the cornerstone of my calling. I wasn’t able to work a “normal” job or participate in my college classes, but I could create and sell art at my own pace. A lot of my days would have me with blankets and pillows and art supplies littered on the floor around me. I would work for a bit, then rest and repeat. I sold online and every now and then, mustered up the energy to sell at markets for a couple hours at a time. With so much fear and uncertainty in my life at the time, this brought me fulfillment. I realized that my success was possible for me. It’s been a long road. My health has improved in some ways but I struggle with pain and chronic illness everyday. Creating jewelry allows me to work at my own pace while maintaining a means of income. I am very grateful for my business and love giving back to it.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My business is meant to help provide visibility to the odd and obscure. There exists a stigma that progress and innovation is reserved for the richest circles of society. I’m here to bring the message that a community only grows where you nourish it. Super Atomic is a reminder to people of all classes, backgrounds, and abilities that innovation and progress is and should be accessible to all. I hope it stands as a beacon of inspiration and something to motivate people to find ways to innovate in their every day life. My pieces are reminders of that to myself. These pieces are the result of accepting my daily obstacles and make something beautiful anyway. Super Atomic is about finding progress in every small victory. Super Atomic is a brand that believes in a future for us all.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spots in the city are always going to be the small businesses or flea markets! When my friend from California visited last year I knew I had to give her the true South Florida experience. Our mornings started off with coffee from either Well’s or Circle House. We attended Emo Prom hosted by The Black Market Miami in Fort Lauderdale, and we wandered around the flea market at The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop on the weekend.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and friends have helped me tremendously with their unwavering support. But I would love to shout-out the American School of Jewelry in Sunrise, Florida. My instructor Eddie became a close mentor of mine and I have no idea where I’d be without him and everything he has done for me. He is an amazing, patient, and understanding mentor, with more knowledge and experience than I could have ever imagined. I appreciate him and the school so much.
Website: Superatomicshop@gmail.com
Instagram: Superatomicshop
Other: Email: Superatomicshop@gmail.com
Image Credits
Ariel Opal Feldman instagram: @fieldmanworkerjpg Joe Tomasone instagram: @joetomasone