Three things that keep coming up

Building a jewelry business takes time, and I think the people who build something real and lasting are the ones who get really clear on a few things early on and then actually do the work to build them.

I've had the opportunity to lead many interviews, and three important things usually come up: Passion, relationships, and values.

Allison Heutshe said it clearly at the end of our recent conversation: get out of your own way. Trust your experience and follow your passion. She's been in this industry for 30 years, opened a store in under eight weeks after losing her mom earlier that same year, and she still says the thing that holds most of us back is ourselves.

Sarah McGuire, who designs jewelry and owns Sailor, talked about relationships being the actual foundation of the business. She meant all of them, the repair drop-off, the price conversation, the customer who pops in just to say hi. Every interaction builds trust, and that trust is what compounds over time. 

And Lia, Director of Sales and Operations at Polly Wales, said something I haven't stopped thinking about, which is that when you're rooted in what your values are, it becomes really easy to show up consistently. For Polly Wales, that looks like human, honest, relationship-first luxury.

Three recent conversations with similar themes.

And if you're just getting started or in the middle of building your business, they are worth sitting with. There's no shortcut to any of it, but there is a foundation, and I promise you, it's worth building thoughtfully.