Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michèle Côté, founder, and chief designer of Flamme en rose, located in Montréal, QC, Canada.

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

Our business, because I have a partner, is a jewelry store. We are the first high-end jewelry studio in Montreal that is owned and operated by women. We make custom creations as well as have ready-to-wear collections. We can help you find or create your perfect wedding ring. We also offer jewelry transformation, meaning that we reuse our customer's old gold, stones, and diamond to create new, more relevant pieces. Other services include jewelry and watch repairs; therefore, we cover a wide customer demographic. We utilize ethically sourced stones, and our products are always created according to our eco-design values. As a result, we have a conscious customer base that varies in age; they know we are the best in Montreal and have great prices since there is no middleman.

Tell us about yourself

I started making jewelry when I was nine years old; it has always been my passion. After graduating from a fine arts college program, I decided to pursue my dream and enrolled at the Montreal jewelry school and completed a 3-year program. Once completed, I worked for ten years in the fabricating of high-end jewelry. I also started teaching, and that is where I found my business partner and knew that I was ready to branch out on my own. Since opening Flamme en rose in 2007, every day, I wake up excited to design new models, work with people I love, and grow my business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is successfully turning my dream into reality. We started by making 20$ a day, we sacrificed a lot, and we now employ ten people and have a beautiful space in downtown Montreal. We are gaining great popularity with a sound reputation; I now know that the sky is the limit!

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

I must make difficult choices and take risks every day. Sometimes we fail, and we must start back at square one. Defeat is a temporary situation; what is most important is to stay positive and focus on the future.

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

  1. You must be very hard working.
  2. Perseverance is key.
  3. Positive, positive, positive yes, yes, yes!
  4. Always have a clear vision of your future goals.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Dreams can come true, but only you can make them happen. Stand tall, march towards what you desire and deserve!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://flammeenrose.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bijouterieflammeenrose
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flammeenrose/

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.