Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jonathan Goldberg, President and CEO of Kimberfire, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Kimberfire is a fresh take on buying custom diamond engagement rings and jewelry. Our clients meet with our expert team virtually for a personal, completely customized consultation. Using our proprietary software, we work together with our clients to source a beautiful diamond and design the most perfect piece of jewelry.

With our business model and experienced team, our clients can find the largest, most beautiful diamond available within their budget and have it set in a stunning piece of high-end custom jewelry.

Tell us about yourself

I started my career working in the diamond industry in Canada and overseas, then earned my MBA and spent a few years in investment banking. While in grad school and banking, friends and colleagues would always ask me for advice about buying their engagement rings. I saw the need for a new type of diamond jewelry business – one with the quality standards and personalized experience of a high-street retail store, but with pricing that is competitive to online brands.

At Kimberfire, we are truly providing this experience to each one of our clients. Getting to work with these extremely satisfied couples, all in a very important and happy time in their lives is what motivates me every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I’ve created something that didn’t exist before, which now brings joy to so many people while also providing for my employees and family. I can’t think of a bigger accomplishment than that.

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

There is no “off” time. Whether at the office, working from home, or away on holiday – the business is always top of mind. No matter how smoothly things are running, there is always room for constant improvement, and it’s so important to be constantly growing and innovating. It would be great to put my feet up and call it a day, but there is still so much to do!

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

  1. Find a need and then create a business around that. There are a lot of great ideas that, unfortunately, are not a product or service people are looking for. Starting with the need may save a lot of wasted time and effort.
  2. Put your people first. Without happy employees, who feel a genuine connection to the business and team, you will always need to be on top of everything and will constantly be hiring and training. This will seriously get in the way of your enjoyment in running the business and will take from the time needed to do so and to grow it.
  3. Having systems and processes in place is essential to growing your business. Get the business out of your head and down on paper so that every team member knows what they are responsible for, and new employees can get up and running quickly and efficiently.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Thank you very much for taking the time to share my story. Hopefully, this helps other business owners on their journey. In any case, my team at Kimberfire is always looking forward to helping with a special piece of jewelry – whether to celebrate an engagement or an important life or business milestone!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kimberfire.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberfire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberfire/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberfire
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kimberfire/

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.