Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leah Roth, Founder of Sugar et Cie, located in Los Altos, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Sugar et Cie is an eCommerce luxury brand that offers a carefully curated collection of fine jewelry and home accessories online. We specialize in antique jewelry from the Georgian, Victorian, and Art Deco periods, but we also offer estate and modern jewelry as well. Our customer base is pretty diverse, but they all seem to have one thing in common - a love for unique jewelry with a story to tell.
Tell us about yourself
Like many people, my business started from a personal interest – a passion for antique jewelry. I had been collecting for many years and found it difficult to find pieces to purchase online. Hunting down quality antique jewelry requires a significant investment of time and money. Sources are scattered far and wide. When I did find pieces online, I felt that they were not really wearable. They were too fussy or formal, and the information on the piece was often limited or incomplete. In the beginning, I had two goals. I wanted to offer pieces that would work well when mixed in with modern jewelry, and I wanted to make the buying process approachable and enjoyable.
I feel a sense of joy every time we receive a note from a customer telling us how happy they are with their Sugar et Cie experience. We take pride in each step of the process, from the way we work with customers to help them find the right piece to the way we package their new heirloom for its ultimate unboxing.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It's the business itself, building the company from a blank page into a growing profitable business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Often having to go it solo. I love collaborating with people and find that the majority of my time is spent at my desk, on the road, or behind the lens of a camera.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you spot an opportunity, go for it. You don't have to make a huge investment. You can start it on the side. You don't have to find something that no one else has ever done before; you just need a different take or a way to do something better.
- Track and know your numbers. And by numbers, I don't just mean financials. Figure out what metrics drive your business. Create a dashboard and monitor their impact on your results.
- If it's not working, pivot. It's a lesson I think we all have had to learn over the past couple of years. Yes, sometimes you need to give it a moment, but don't wait too long to make a change if something isn't working.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.sugaretcie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sugaretcie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugaretcie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sugaretcie
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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