Thoughtfully Conceived - Hélène Bourget Designs
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hélène Bourget, founder of Hélène Bourget Designs, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I make one-of-a-kind custom jewelry for clients who want something different and special. I strive to provide a beautiful, quality product as well as an exceptional, personal experience for my clients.
Tell us about yourself
I have always been interested in artistic pursuits. While working in retail and banking, I took evening classes to keep connected to my creative side. I finally decided to take the plunge in 1990 and returned to school to learn the necessary skills and then started my business in 1995. My main motivation is to create beauty and meaning through jewelry as talismans that evoke memories and can be passed down through generations. It's quite amazing to me that some of my pieces will outlive me. It's a bit of immortality, in a way, through my pieces.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Quite frankly, staying in business, as an artisan, in this fast-paced, ever-evolving, technological landscape has been an accomplishment in and of itself. Also, staying true to the old-school handcrafted techniques in a world of mass production and computer-generated products has been challenging yet gratifying.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's living with the unknown; there's no guarantee that there will be work; you have to market yourself, show up, and make things happen every day. Also, wearing so many different hats to make sure that the business runs smoothly, from returning emails to doing all the errands, paperwork, meeting with clients, posting on social media, and then sitting down at the bench actually to create it all.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Have a definite plan. Know your market/demographic. Hone your skills and always keep learning. Also, know when to change direction if something isn't working.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
At some point, I would like to move away from commissions and just design collections that inspire me. I would also like to teach at some point. It would be great to pass down some of the craftsmanship and skills I have learned.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.helenebourgetdesigns.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenebourgetwearableart/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenebourgetdesigns/
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.
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