The Faces Behind: Stephani Clark-Jones

Tooth gems may have been a trend at the beginning of this year, but Stephani Clark has made it into a long-lasting lifestyle. From Chino Hills, California, Stephani is the CEO of Smiles by Steph, a small business dedicated to tooth gem application in Washington, D.C. since 2021. She had always loved the look of dental bling but didn’t pursue this endeavor until she began college.

“I knew I wanted to start a Howard hustle for myself, so I decided to do something unique and out of the ordinary…Tooth gems have been something I’ve been in love with since high school, so I knew that bringing it to Howard would be so fun and interesting.”

A Howard Hustle, for those who don’t know, is a phenomenon in which students at Howard University use their talents, passions, or hobbies to make money as full-time students.

Jones started out by practicing on herself and eventually her friends to test out designs and then decided to expand her business. She started out by taking clients in her dorm room but also had numerous opportunities to advertise her business and work with customers at pop-up shops. Jones has partnered with the Howard University Student Association and the Howard School of Business to help students love their smiles with her creativity, which is her favorite part of Smiles by Steph.

“ I know when I first got my own tooth gems, I had so much more confidence and felt the need to smile all day long. It is such a conversation starter when someone sees bling in your mouth and it is also such a unique thing to have.”

Owning a business as a full-time student is rewarding, but it’s not always easy. She explained how one of the hardest parts is purchasing and keeping supplies in stock. Sometimes the wait for different gems and tools is longer than expected, and she has experienced losing a customer or two because of it. However, it has taught Jones discipline and determination. 

“I have learned to just be patient …and some days are rougher than others. But at the end of the day, I’m doing something that I love for the people that I love and it makes it all worth it in the end. Being able to provide a service for someone is something that is such a blessing and I do not take it for granted”

Jones appreciates every single client she gets, and loves how creative she can be with her designs. Her favorite design to do is freestyle sets, where she can mix and match gems to get a one-of-a-kind look. 

“ It is always such an honor and it makes me proud that people feel safe to trust me to provide the service for them.”

You can book an appointment to get your own set of tooth gems by scanning the QR code below. Be sure to check out her business on her Instagram page @smilesbystephh.