Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewellery but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rosa Mindreau, founder of Luna Oscura Shop, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Luna Oscura specializes in Canadian handmade jewelry and accessories. Hand-picked found objects carefully up-cycled are then combined with raw, dark organic materials resulting in beautiful statement pieces with themes honouring the unique beauty of forgotten items, Mother Earth, and the artist's Peruvian roots. Our customers are individuals that wish to stand out with our jewelry line pieces that are definitely quick to attract the artistic eye and spark a lively discussion since every piece comes with a detailed story of its origin.

Tell us about yourself

I am a Toronto-based visual artist. A graduate of the Art Institute of Toronto and the Toronto School of Art, Rosa specializes in multiple art-making and object creation methods. Printmaking was always my major passion, such as Screen-printing, Block Printing, and Etching. I also create mixed media pieces with encaustic and acrylic painting elements, found objects, and collages. I also make fantastic jewellery pieces that combine all of my learned art mediums into interesting wearable art pieces. I have exhibited and sold work widely across the city, including at the Love Art Fair, RAW, the Artist Project, Queen West Art Crawl, The Gladstone (as part of Come Up To My Room), North by Northeast, Whippersnapper Gallery, AWOL Gallery, and many others.

I am dedicated to alternative and accessible learning opportunities for emerging artists. I have conducted printmaking workshops at my own studio, located in the Kensington market area called Trash Assault (facebook.com/TrashAssaultPrintShop), as well as at PARC (a drop-in centre in Parkdale), Queen West Community Health Centre, Pathways to Education (in Rexdale), and extensively at Sketch Working Arts.

I avidly support social justice, accessible housing, and grassroots community endeavors. I have donated original artwork for exhibitions and auctions to support Sketch Working Arts, United Way, and GBLGay Youthline. My work has been featured in the Toronto Star and online art forums.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a seasoned entrepreneur, my biggest accomplishment has been the joy to drive my businesses to success, reach such diverse clients, and inspire others to do the same.

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

Some of the hardest things I will say is the time management and knowing when not to overwork yourself.

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

  1. Apply to grants (there is so much out there!)
  2. Know your target consumers.
  3. Network!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Be courageous and take risks; if you fail once or ten times, keep getting up and keep trying!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://luna-oscura.square.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lunaoscurashop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunaoscurashop/

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.