Building a Jewelry Business From Scratch: Why I Did It
Building a Jewelry Business From Scratch: Why I Did It
When I first started my jewelry business, it wasn’t just about making beautiful pieces—it was about creating a life that allowed me to do what I love and be where I wanted to be. In this post, I’ll share how my desire to move to Flagstaff led me to start my own business, and how I took a leap from being a full-time boarding school teacher to a full-time artist.
The Dream of Flagstaff: A Life Full of Adventures
Before I started my jewelry business, I was living about an hour south of Flagstaff, working and teaching at a small boarding school in the middle of nowhere. My life was full of teaching, but when I had free time, I’d hop in my car and drive to Flagstaff for my adventures—skiing, mountain biking, and hiking in the mountains that felt like home. It was exhausting to spend my free days commuting to the place I loved, and I knew I wanted to live in Flagstaff full-time.
The Turning Point: Teaching Through COVID
After teaching through the chaos of COVID, I found myself reflecting on what I truly wanted in life. That’s when the decision to move to Flagstaff felt like it was just waiting to happen. There aren't many art teaching jobs available in Flagstaff because schools usually only have one art teacher. So instead of searching for a teaching position, I decided to take a bold step: I would start my own business. The decision was surprisingly easy for me, even though I’m usually the type of person who overthinks things and takes time to make decisions. But this time, I didn’t hesitate. I knew I wanted to be in Flagstaff and live the life I dreamed of, and the only way to make that work was to create something of my own.
Taking the Leap: From Teacher to Artist
The transition from being a full-time boarding school teacher to a full-time artist was a huge leap. There wasn’t really room for failure—I had no backup plan. I went straight into building my jewelry business, not just as a way to make money, but as a way to live the life I envisioned. The process was all-consuming, and it forced me to be resourceful, disciplined, and creative in ways I had never imagined.
One thing I’ll say: I was definitely well-prepared. Working at a boarding school was intense. Long hours, constant responsibilities—it seemed like work was never-ending. But what surprised me about transitioning to my own business was how much more work I had to do. It’s not just about creating the jewelry—it’s marketing, inventory, emails, taxes, and constantly planning for the next step. While the boarding school life prepared me for the workload, now I know that with your own business, work never stops.
The Challenges: No Room for Doubt
Starting a business comes with its own set of challenges. I had to learn everything from managing finances to handling marketing. But with my move to Flagstaff, the new challenges became opportunities. I didn’t have a choice but to succeed. I had committed to this life, and that commitment pushed me to keep going even when things got tough. I poured my energy into creating jewelry that reflected my passions, and slowly, the pieces started to sell, the orders started coming in, and I built a brand I was proud of.
