The Art of Awakening - Mission Atelier
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bobby London, founder, and CEO of Mission Atelier, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Spiritually-focused fine jewelry for men and women with a modern and clean aesthetic. Our customers are people of all backgrounds who appreciate unique and contemporary designs with meaning. We also donate a percentage of sales to mental health and mindfulness charities.
Tell us about yourself
I had developed a fashion line many years ago, and the inception of the brand came out of a belt buckle I had created for it. I really liked the design, but it didn't fit with that line, so I put it aside. I rediscovered it several years later and wanted to do something with it. Around that time, I had the idea that the name Mission would be a great name for a lifestyle brand. I looked at the buckle design and realized that the design in the center of the buckle looked like an abstract M and that this could be the logo for the brand. The name Mission was already trademarked for belt buckles, but I thought it would make a great design for a cufflink too. The name was available for jewelry, so I trademarked it and had some cufflinks made with that symbol. Those sold fairly well, so I continued designing, using many of the skills I learned from being a graphic designer for several years.
A couple of years into it, I started exploring spirituality. I wanted to integrate what I was learning into the designs so I could share it with others and continue to learn more.
I'm motivated by: the love of creating luxury products that people will enjoy while also helping them to increase their mindfulness building a brand around it, collaborating with great artisans to make them a reality, and the satisfaction that comes from earning a living at something that is an expression of me.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having my jewelry worn by Netflix's Outer Banks star Jonathan Daviss on the cover story of September 2021 Vulkan Magazine.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Detaching from the outcome and not speaking about (or focusing on) the hardest things that come with being a business owner. ;)
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Expect the business to require more start-up capital than you originally thought, especially in an industry like luxury goods and/or if there is a brick and mortar component.
- Have positive expectations about the business even in the face of challenges.
- Persist.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Life is short. Go for it!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://missionatelier.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopmissionatelier/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missionatelier/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mission-of-sf/
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.