Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ken Whipple, CEO of Park City Jewelers, located in Park City, Utah, USA.

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

I’m Ken Whipple, and my business is Park City Jewelers. The hallmark of our business is handcrafting some of the most unique custom jewelry you’ll find anywhere with a level of quality and attention to detail you can see and feel.

Our customers love having an ongoing relationship with a jeweler they can trust. Not only are they finding beautiful, unique pieces they can’t get anywhere else, but the free lifetime warranty and impeccable customer service keep them coming back for years and years.

Tell us about yourself

Park City Jewelers has been a lifetime in the making. I started hunting gemstones and collecting rocks with my grandpa when I was 6 or 7 years old. When I was 10, I wanted to buy my first gem cutting and polishing equipment, and it took me two years to save the money. I started making my own jewelry as a teenager.

My fascination with gemstones and minerals started when I was really young, and to this day, I’m still motivated by it. That love has never changed.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is building my business from nothing. As a young man, I started by doing freelance jewelry repair for some of the stores here in Utah. I eventually had enough business to open a small store that specialized in jewelry repair and custom jewelry. That store became successful enough to open our current location in Park City. Over the years, there have been huge challenges, setbacks, and calculated risks. It has been difficult and stressful at times but also extremely rewarding.

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

The most challenging part of being a business owner is handling the increasingly complex logistics that are an essential part of a growing business. A few examples of this are hiring and managing a growing team, making sure we have enough inventory to meet demand, and handling taxes and regulatory items.

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

My advice is simple. Dream big. Never give up. Hire the right people. That is what has worked for me. When you do something you are passionate about for a living, it’s much easier to go to work every day and enjoy what you do. Sharing your passion is the ultimate gift.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://parkcityjewelers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkCityJewelers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkcityjewelers/

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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