Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Viviana Langhoff, founder of Adornment and Theory, located in Chicago, IL.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My name is Viviana Langhoff I am a fine jewelry designer and proud owner of Adornment and Theory in Chicago,IL.

Adornment and Theory is an independent jewelry store specializing in women identifying & BIPOC jewelry designers from around the world. Our jewel box is a treasure trove of unique, high quality one of a kind pieces that tell a story.

Tell us about yourself

I began in fashion at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and by my second year quickly found my ideal medium to work in was not fabric but metalsmithing/jewelry design. I’ve been in the jewelry industry for over 12 years.

After preparing and saving I was able to open my own studio 4 years ago and I haven’t looked back since. Everyday I am motivated to create new work, continue to push for racial equity work in my industry, laugh & collaborate with my amazing staff, and grow in loving God and others well.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

What I am most proud of in my life are my relationships and community. Some of my biggest accomplishments while in business have been 1) surviving COVID shutdowns and the complete madness of 2020 2) expanding my store in 2021 3) building my staff and business to a place where I can take yearly sabbaticals.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Getting use to financial ups and downs and separating your financials from your emotions. This is key so that you can think in terms of strategy and not making your decisions from a place of fear and stress. This has been a huge growth area for me. In my first year of business I was definitely more stressed about finances, but once we were in a groove it’s been a thousand times easier. This can still be an area of struggle for me but I can say with complete lightness that I’ve 80% improved. I would easily say it’s a mental victory area of my business practice.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Make a solid business plan. The more clearly you can see your business the better. Do your market research for your numbers (industry specific averages, competitors, medium household income for your demographic, etc). People will not take you seriously if you do not take yourself seriously.

2. Mentality is Key: You have to believe in yourself before anyone else will. We all definitely need a close knit group of loved ones to encourage and support us, but know that external validation won’t sustain you. You need to have mental grit and self confidence in your practice to ride the many waves of obstacles you will encounter.

3. Whatever you’re most afraid of in business lean into it and blow it up. Be proactive. For instance, if you are fearful of learning finances get over yourself find a mentor, books, listen to podcast and start leaning in. If you are afraid of public speaking? joint a Toastmasters group. Unsure if clients will like something? Hold a focus group. You combat fear with knowledge and experience. Confront those areas you are afraid to investigate. 9 times out of 10 you surprise yourself with your capabilities, and getting to discover a new part of your existence is such a glorious thing.

Anything else you'd like to share?

If you are interested in business treat it as a creative endeavor not as a get rich quick model. Business is not everything and it’s not for everyone. It’s just a structure that, if you so choose, can grow and stretch you in a million different ways if you let it (like parenting, marriage, traveling, etc).

Where can people find you and your business?

https://adornmentandtheory.com

https://www.instagram.com/adornmentandtheory/

https://www.facebook.com/adornmentandtheory/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.