Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lindsay Ansley, Owner of Adeline Jewelry, located in Oakland, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Adeline Jewelry is a collection of bespoke fine jewelry with a modern perspective. My customers are fashionable, progressively-minded shoppers looking for bold yet timeless pieces that will be cherished for generations.
Tell us about yourself
Honestly, I can't remember a time when I wasn't deeply interested in jewelry. Digging through the treasures in my mother's jewelry box as a small kid, I'd grill her on the story behind each piece: what is this, where did it come from, who gave it to her, etc. My favorites had been given to her by my grandmother, who passed away before I was born. There was a special energy to them that made me feel connected to her when I held them in my hands.
The first time I experienced flow state, I was sorting through my bead collection (always hoarding treasures) and playing with color combinations. Completely immersed and totally present. As an anxious and cerebral kid, discovering something tactile was grounding for me in a way I'd never experienced before, and I've been chasing that feeling ever since.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm going to cheat and give two answers:
- Looking back after seven years in business, and realizing I'd accomplished the dreams of my younger self.
- Stepping into the role of mentor. I hired an assistant last year who not only became a welcome fixture in the studio but a good friend. It was an awesome experience to share my knowledge and experience with a young jeweler and help guide them on their own path.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Recognizing your shortcomings and then admitting (usually to yourself) when you need help. You can't be great at every aspect of running a business, and it will save you so much time and money in the long run if you are able to remove the emotion and self-judgment and bring people in to fill those holes.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get obsessed. It has to be something you can't stop thinking about, something you're excited to throw all of yourself into.
- Just keep doing it because most people don't. That's a piece of advice someone I admire gave me when I first went solo with my business, and I think back to it whenever things become so challenging that I'm tempted to throw in the towel!
- Find a community of support. I have a group of trusted friends, also jewelry designers, who share resources, bounce ideas off of each other, and provide a safe space for venting when things get really tough. Owning your own business can often feel really isolating, so this support system is invaluable to me.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.adelinejewelry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adelinejewelry/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelinejewelry/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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