Local GJ Piecer On Growing Her Business

ANA HOLGUIN GOMEZ EDUCATION EDITOR

As customer D’Naya Stone and her roommates walk into the shop, they are immediately greeted by staff. The atmosphere is calm and comfortable, creating a sense of security. As the college sophomore approaches the display cases, store owner, Jennifer White, guides her choices. For today, Stone’s goal is to switch her jewelry. She was pierced by White a few months back when they put a small silver stud in her nose. Her goal is to now put a snug gold ring in. Taking into account her roommate’s comments, White begins to analyze Stone’s nose size. 

“You look like a nine, 30nds’ or a quarter of an inch,” White said. 

White takes everyone back, having Stone sit on a green table. While White takes out her piercing supplies, everyone eagerly assures Stone that a hoop is a great choice. In under 15 minutes, White slips on a pair of gloves, pulls out the stud, slips the hoop in and tightens the jewelry. But changing jewelry isn’t the only experience White offers. Pandora’s Piercing shop, offers different body piercings, including but not limited to, ears, nose and eyebrows. 

Before COVID-19 hit Pandora’s was a hot spot for college students and locals around the city. 

“People that come here are typically going through a lot. I’ve had several clients going through break ups that come in to get piercings. I think piercings are a strong way to grow,” White said. “Though it’s not permanent like a tattoo, it’s still an unknown hole in your body. Having the confidence to do something like that is amazing. It’s truly an honor to help people go through whatever they’re going through.” 

Located on Main Street, the store has become a known name around Colorado Mesa University’s campus and around the city, which is something she’s always wanted. Before opening her business, the popular place in town was Holy Rights, which was right across the street from the college. When she opened, White hoped to grow her store’s reputation just as big as other big piercing shops in town. 

“It’s quite humbling and wonderful that Pandora’s is known around town and known on CMU’s campus,” White said.  

White began piercing in September of 2003. At first it was just her piercing out of the back of her car during Grand Junction’s festivals. 

“Those times were simpler; it was just my car, my tools and I,” she said. “At that time I didn’t have a name. I was just known as the woman who pierces at concerts.” 

She then began to work alongside a local tattoo artist for two years. After working at that location, White struck out on her own. 

“We separated businesses and I moved to North Avenue into the old Mr. State Building, which is where my business began to blossom and flourish for the next few years,” she said.  

Officially she’s been in the area for 18 years and has been going with the flow since then.

Not only is she proud of the business, but White is proud of the upkeep of her shop. She and her husband, Marshall White, attend the Association of Professional Piercers, a yearly conference in Las Vegas, NV to stay up to date with types of jewelry and techniques. During this time they also take blood-born pathogen courses. The certificates are proudly displayed at the shop. 

“It goes to show that we have knowledge beyond our own shop,” White said. “We have it from the association in which we are solely driven by as far as it goes.”

Because of the amount of cleaning needed at a tattoo shop, COVID-19 restrictions hit the business hard financially. Pandora’s piercing closed Mar. 16 – May 1. White talked about how the pandemic contributed to the cost of medical supplies rising. For example, a 300-glove box went from $17.99 to $53.36.

“We may have to add five dollars here and there on piercing costs,”  White said. 

As soon as they re-opened their doors after the COVID-19 quarantine period, it was overwhelming. Because of the amount of walk-ins the business had to shift to appointment only. Since opening, business has been consistent and constant. 

“It’s affected us in a very positive fashion, because everyone that comes in here knows they’re coming into a clean facility,” she said. 

In the future Pandora’s Piercing’s plan is to stay at their location and grow.

“Our plan at the moment is to stay put and grow like we have been. This business is headed towards a bright future. Maybe down the road we’ll get a bigger space, but for now being on Main Street attracts our target clientele,” White said.