Not meant to do this alone

If you’re at the Tucson Gem Show right now, I hope you’re finding beautiful gems, staying (mostly) on budget, and connecting with your jewelry community.

Last week, during a welcome call with a new Stay Gold Collective member, they shared this: “When I logged into the platform, I felt like I wasn’t alone in my studio anymore.”

Stay Gold began seven years ago after I noticed something at a trade show. Designers, people who were technically competitors, were sharing information, helping each other problem-solve, and planning pop-ups together. It was clear how much easier things felt when people weren’t trying to do everything on their own.

Being a designer, maker, and business owner can be isolating. The jewelry industry is unique, and it often feels like you’re expected to figure things out as you go, without much support.

While I also focus on providing education, marketing support, and resources, the most important part of this for me is building community, so you have people to talk to, lean on, and work through challenges with. People who understand what your job actually looks like.

I know things feel heavy right now. The metals market, everything going on in the world, and the constant decisions that come with running a business can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to exist in a vacuum. You’re not alone.

This past week, I was feeling the weight of it myself when a member sent me their pricing spreadsheet, built with formulas that update as metal prices change, and asked me to share it with the rest of the group. No expectation. Just support.

We’re here for each other, and that’s how we keep going.