My Journey to Simplicity and Sustainability
When I started my jewellery business, I had a clear vision: to create pieces that carry meaning, inspired by nature and personal stories. What I didn’t know at the time was that staying small and sustainable would not only shape my business but would also allow me to stay true to my values.
In this post, I’ll share the reasons behind my decision to keep my business small, the benefits and challenges of being a solo entrepreneur, and how sustainability is woven into every piece of jewellery I create.
The Origins of My Business
From early morning walks in the woods to the quiet moments spent in my garden, nature has always been my muse. Every piece of jewellery I design is a reflection of my connection to the natural world, and I knew early on that I wanted each item to feel personal, meaningful, and grounded in sustainability.
I started my business as a solo venture because I wanted full creative control and to ensure that every piece I made reflected my values. By keeping things small, I have been able to focus on quality and craftsmanship, something that often gets lost when businesses scale up too quickly.
Staying small also meant I could focus on what truly mattered to me: creating sustainable jewellery that wasn’t just beautiful but also kind to the planet. I choose to use recycled gold and silver, and every design is carefully crafted in my eco-friendly garden studio. I firmly believe that making conscious choices in business doesn’t just benefit the environment, it allows for deeper connections with the customers who share those values, I LOVE meeting like-minded people.
Why Staying Small Feels Right
Personal Connections
Running a small business means I get to connect with my customers in a way that feels a little more personal. Each order, every message, and the stories people share with me bring me closer to the heart of what I do. Whether it’s a memory of a beloved tree or the joy of giving a meaningful gift, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of these moments.
The direct connection with my customers allows me to understand what they truly value and create pieces that resonate with them on a deeper level.
Maintaining Quality and Uniqueness
When you run a solo business, you have the ability to focus on quality over quantity. I make each piece of jewellery by hand, using recycled precious metals and creating designs that reflect nature’s intricate beauty.
Working in small batches allows me to give each piece the attention it deserves, and this attention is what sets my work apart. I don’t want my jewellery to just be an accessory; I want it to hold meaning and feel special to the person wearing it.
Sustainability at the Core
Being small allows me to implement sustainable practices that larger businesses might struggle to achieve. From sourcing recycled materials to reducing waste in my studio, I’m able to take a mindful approach to every part of my business. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for me, it’s at the core of everything I do.
By staying small, I can keep my environmental impact to a minimum, using fewer resources and creating only what is necessary. This sense of responsibility toward the planet is something I’m proud to carry through every piece of jewellery I make.
The Challenges of Staying Small
Wearing All the Hats
As a solo entrepreneur, I do everything, from designing and making jewellery to marketing, managing orders, and handling the finances. While I love being hands-on, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to juggle all the roles. There are days when I’m balancing the creative side of the business with the more administrative tasks, and it can be exhausting.
However, this is also the beauty of staying small, I get to shape every part of the process, even if it means wearing a few extra hats!
Balancing Creativity and Business
Being an artist means I thrive on creativity, but running a business means I also have to balance the practical side, like managing finances, tracking inventory, and ensuring I’m staying on top of deadlines. It’s not always easy to switch from one mindset to the other, but I’ve learned to embrace both sides of my work.
Sometimes, the business side of things can feel like a distraction from the art, but I remind myself that both are necessary to keep my small business running smoothly.
Limited Resources
Staying small means I don’t have a team to lean on when things get busy. I don’t have a marketing department or a staff to handle orders, so every part of the process falls on me. While this means more work, it also means I can control the quality of everything and ensure that each customer receives the best service.
It can be challenging at times, especially during peak periods like product launches or Christmas, but I’ve learned to plan ahead and take things one step at a time.
Sustainability
For me, sustainability isn’t just about the materials I use, it’s also about the process and the impact I have on the world around me. That’s why I focus on making small-batch jewellery with eco-friendly materials. Every piece is designed to last lifetimes, reducing the need for overconsumption and helping to slow the cycle of fast fashion.
My studio is powered by solar energy, and I make an effort to minimize waste through conscious practices. Staying small allows me to be mindful of every step I take in my business, and I hope that this approach can inspire others to consider sustainability in their own work.
Lessons Learned as a Solo Business Owner
Running my little business has taught me many lessons, but here are a few that stand out:
Trust your instincts. Staying small isn’t the traditional path to growth, but it feels true to me.
Focus on what matters. By keeping my values at the forefront, I can stay aligned with what I’m passionate about and the customers who share those values.
Celebrate the little wins. Every positive interaction, every piece sold, and every story shared reminds me of the journey I’m on and how far I've come.
So, What's next?
While I don’t plan to scale up in size, I'm enjoying finding new ways to connect with my local community, through projects like Tree Stories. And I love working on new designs inspired my memories in nature, keep an eye on my Instagram posts to learn about upcoming launches!
At the heart of my business is a deep connection to nature, and staying small allows me to nurture that connection while also creating meaningful, sustainable jewellery. The jewels in my collections hold a little bit of my story, and my bespoke work is designed to carry yours.
Running a small business isn’t always easy, but it’s a decision I’m proud of. I believe that by staying small and focusing on sustainability, I can create something truly meaningful. And I hope that the jewellery I make continues to tell stories, share memories, and remind us all of the beauty that surrounds us.
Keep growing,
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