Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and your business?

I am a jewelry designer with over 800 designs. I have been in business since 1997. I started out selling my designs wholesale to jewelry stores and art galleries and by doing retail craft shows. At one point I was selling my jewelry around the country.

In 2016, I opened up my shop in Ipswich. I have two employees who also assist with making my jewelry right in my shop, and 4 sales assistants, a bookkeeper and a marketing manager. I wear all the hats of a small business owner. I spend a lot of time managing the business—and as a designer, I create most of my new designs and work on difficult/specialty pieces late at night in my home studio.

What inspired you to start your business?

Designing jewelry is really all I ever wanted to do (well, except maybe taming wild horses) for a living. I would have studied jewelry design and manufacturing in college, but had pressure from my surgeon father to go into medicine. After pre-med and boring medically oriented jobs, I decided to go for my dream at age 30. I quit my day job and went to Massachusetts College of Art to study metalsmithing. I graduated in 1996, started my business, and never looked back.

I started designing jewelry collections right away and signed up for the NY Gift Show. I began selling my designs to jewelry stores and art galleries. At one time I was selling my designs in over 150 stores nationwide. In 2016 I opened my shop which sells my designs, clothing and giftware. I still sell my designs in about 30 galleries and stores nationwide.

Are there any businesses, brands, or mentors that inspired you in the creation of your business?

Design-wise I am inspired by Elsa Peretti—an iconic designer whose designs are sold exclusively through Tiffany & Co. I love her use of abstraction—and strive for fluidity and abstraction of different themes and ideas in my work.

As I business person I always admired David Yurman for his excellent design and entrepreneurial skill. He has never deviated from his “brand” or “look”.

I have had a business mentor from the Enterprise Center at Salem State for years. She has been a key player in the success of my business and brand.

If you could give one piece of advice to new entrepreneurs, what would that be?

Make sure you understand business, and that you have all the necessary skills, plans and a budget in place before you start. It’s important to set yourself up for success. That being said, I am a big believer of baby steps. Perseverance and tenacity will take you far. It’s not going to happen overnight, and the mistakes you make along the way will serve as lessons for the future.

I’m also a strong believer in the mantra of, “IF it feels right, it mostly likely IS right. If it feels wrong—don’t do it, it probably IS wrong. Trust your gut.”

Are there any moments, milestones, or victories related to your business that you are particularly proud of?

The first real victory was getting my jewelry into a gallery. I was so proud to see my jewelry and name there in a case—represented by a gallery or jewelry store.

My second real victory was seeing someone wearing my jewelry—I was in the airport in Chicago and someone walked by me wearing one of my first designs. I almost fainted.

Other victories have included growing my business and brand to a national level, opening my own shop and having the courage to put my name on the sign, and being asked by the Trustees and other organizations to design pieces for them.

How did you come to work with The Trustees?

My relationship with the Trustees started when I moved to Ipswich in 2002. I was asked to sell my jewelry at one of the Castle’s Christmas events. As Ipswich residents, the Trustees are inherently a part of our lives through our use of Crane Beach, Appleton Farms, access to the Castle and their events. “Beach Day,” an annual tradition for the Ipswich Public Schools, made available to all Ipswich students by a Trust from the Crane Family is another connection we have as residents (I have a jewelry collection called “Beach Day”).

I have friends who volunteer with The Trustees, so I have been donating my jewelry to Trustees fundraisers for years and have attended some of those fundraisers as well. When I opened my shop, I was asked by Pilar Garro (former Engagement Manager at Castle Hill, and current Poperty Director on the North Shore) if I wanted to have my jewelry in the Castle Hill shop. Of course, I said yes! As the shop grew and developed, I met many of the Crane staff, and they have become friends and colleagues. I also had the unique experience of horseback riding on Crane Beach and the Castle Hill Estate with CEO, Katie Theoharides. I am flattered to have been asked to work with the Trustees over the years and honored to be able to share my journey with all involved with this great organization.