Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joan Hornig, founder of Philanthropy Is Beautiful®, and Pavé The Way® Jewelry by Joan Hornig, located in New York, NY, USA.

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

The business of Philanthropy Is Beautiful® (PIB), and Pavé The Way® (PTW) Jewelry by Joan Hornig is about fine jewelry that has been designed to make a difference as well as a statement. Every purchase generates a donation of 100% of the company's profit on that piece to the customer's charity of choice —any registered non-profit anywhere in the world. For 20 years, since the company's inception, every client has become a philanthropist and helped redefine an investment in fine jewelry. Over 1,000 organizations have received funds, and millions of dollars have been donated.

Tell us about yourself

I am proud to say that I am on my third career as a social enterprise business owner and jewelry designer. I began my professional life in academic administration as a special and major gifts fundraiser for my alma maters - Harvard College and Columbia Business School. I then spent 19 years in various management/sales /investing roles in the finance sector. Both of those earlier forays prepared and inspired me to create Philanthropy Is Beautiful®. I learned from some of the brightest and most active women and men that a satisfying life includes caring about making the world better for others and the benefits of being a lifelong learner. The jewelry line enabled me to combine my passions for designing, paying it forward, and engaging in conversations of consequence. By empowering the purchasers to spend my money for the benefit of others, I am constantly inspired by those who buy my pieces, the non-profits that do the heavy lifting, and the joy of being creative.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My greatest accomplishment as a business owner is having been in business for 20 years. I say this as I think of so many major issues I faced: the economy and other exogenous variables, ever-changing fashion tastes, educating the clients and sales associates as to what it means to be a social enterprise business, navigating changing ways in which we shop and most importantly having maintained and developed a staff that shares the values of the company and stays with them even after leaving PIB.

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

One of the hardest things about owning a business is knowing that the ultimate responsibility for quality, service, and value rests with me. I am the sole designer meaning that I am also judged on the jewelry's appeal, not only the marketing or business decisions I make. The DNA of PIB and PTW is all about empowering the purchasers to make decisions as to what I should support in their honor. With every new piece or collection, I worry that it will not be well received, and important funds and initiatives will not be served.

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

  1. Believe in and commit to your idea. You may change your strategies and tactics, but not your objective and goals.
  2. Choose your staff carefully and invest in helping them understand the company's values.
  3. Don't take shortcuts when setting up the operational/business/tech side of the company.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'd like to share a special shout-out and thank you to the many women who have been the bedrock of the business. By purchasing and wearing the jewelry, they have kept the giving going and the list of worthy organizations being supported through sales growing.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ptwjewelry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pavethewayjewelry/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pavethewayjewelry/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanhornig/

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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