Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melissa Caron, founder of Melissa Caron Jewellers, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a fine jeweler. I've been traveling down this path of creative discovery for over 30 years. Each design I create has a story behind it, and through this written story is how my clients find me and connect to the art I create. Everything is inspired by nature.
I have a fine balance of creating jewelry for my display cases in my gallery as well as creating custom for my clients. Over the years, I have learned that most of my client base is women in their 40s and older. I also dapple in men's wedding bands, and those men all have a love for the natural world around them.
Tell us about yourself
You could say I stumbled into my passion at the age of 19, backpacking through Central America. I met street jewelers at this time that I hired to make me a couple of pieces of jewelry. I settled in for a little while and asked if the jewelers would take me to buy silver, stones, and tools, and they agreed...then sent me off to figure it out from there! I fell in love! It didn't take long before I was hooked and knew creating jewelry was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
I signed up for a course when I returned to Canada, then dropped out after four months, bought all the tools I was shown, and began the lifelong journey of teaching myself.
I'm inspired by nature, architecture, people, other cultures, and figuring out how to weave this inspiration into a golden treasure for people to wear for a lifetime. I'm motivated by a blank canvas, endless possibilities, sparkling jewels, and my wonderful clients.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is creating a family of clientele, people that I truly care about. In turn, they care about me. I have learned that running a business is really about the relationships you nurture.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Currently, I have a gallery in Vancouver. I'd say one of the hardest things for me is following a schedule and being here on time because I'm often running around picking up materials before I open the gallery. It would be much easier with a gallery employee, but my clients all want to see me, so I'm working on a booking calendar to help organize me.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I can only speak for myself in the creative realm. I would say invest in yourself and take a business course, learn how to use social media in a collaborative way, and nurture your clientele; they will support you for a lifetime.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I can't imagine living my life any other way! There are many highs and lows, be prepared to fall on your face, dust off your knees, and keep on trucking. Failing is part of success!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://melissacaron.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissacaronjewellery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissacaronjeweller/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissashorejeweller/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
