Bohemian, Rustic, Romantic

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anat Kaplan, owner of Anouk Jewelry, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Inspired by treasures of the ancient and natural world, every Anouk Jewelry creation is a piece of handcrafted art made in Toronto. We follow ethical and environmentally-sustainable practices, working with local suppliers and jewelry professionals. We select only the highest-quality metals and individually chosen precious gemstones for our jewelry.

The rich textures of Anouk Jewelry pieces are reminiscent of natural elements such as water, sand, rocks, and leaves. Each Anouk Jewelry piece is an object of beauty, evoking a feel of treasure with an element of mystery, a personal message of its wearer. Anouk Jewelry gives back by planting a tree for every piece purchased.

Tell us about yourself

The treasures of ancient and natural worlds have captivated me since girlhood and are my inspirations for Anouk creations still today. In terms of inspiration, it's funny as I was never into jewelry before starting making my own. When I studied art history, I saw jewelry from ancient Rome and Greece, and something clicked for me there. I was really fascinated by the ancient treasures. It was the opposite of modern jewelry, as every piece had a personality and character. Moscow-born, Israel-raised, and now Toronto-based, I solder myriad modern-day cultures with ancient mythology, crafting jewelry a Roman goddess.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Recently I realized I've created more than a thousand pieces for my clients, rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. Each piece represents a couple starting a life together, a mother celebrating her family by wearing a birthstone ring, or a woman reclaiming her freedom and womanhood after serving others. Each piece of jewelry represents a personal story, an heirloom created with the view of the future. I am honoured to be part of people's lives and to help them create pieces of legacy and treasures. In addition, each Anouk Jewelry piece that is sold helps plant a tree in Canada. To date, we have planted more than 700 trees across Canada.

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

When you are a business owner, you wear all these different hats. You are not only the designer, the producer, the bookkeeper, the marketing director - you are the one in charge. You are the one that's ultimately responsible for all the good decisions, and also, unfortunately, for all the bad ones as well. Another difficulty is learning to manage your time so that you are effective in all the roles that you take upon yourself.

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

Love what you do.
Listen to your clients, really listen to them.
Always be open to learning and evolving.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://anoukjewelry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anouk-Jewelry-113533041996730
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anoukjewelry/

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.