When I first started making jewellery, I would never have imagined I'd be sat here today with my own jewellery business. I just wanted rings that fit and lots of stars! I'm quite commercially savvy - I've been a store manager and coach for a long time but that was someone else's business. Where do you even begin to start your own?!
Just over 10 years ago I did a week long course at London Jewellery School which had 2 days of beading, 2 days of metal clay and a business day. This got me thinking, rather than just making things for friends, could I actually have my own business?! Absolutely!
It can be a bit overwhelming to start with and there is so much advice out there, some great, some questionable... I've got a great resource to share with you if you are thinking about making the leap yourself.
Start & Grow a Profitable Jewellery Business with Jessica Rose
Jess was the founder of the London Jewellery School and now runs Jewellers Academy. She has also run her own label selling her creations. She knows what she's on about and has so much advice to offer.
First of all, this book is beautiful! Plenty of images of gorgeous jewellery and nicely laid out, it's a pleasure to read.
It also helps that it is crammed full of wisdom, from the baby steps of selling to your friends and family to the milestones of getting your own website, working with shops and growing your business into something you love. Jess has so much experience to share herself, but I love that she has included several case studies of other jewellers, giving you an insight into successful jewellery businesses and the journey to get to success.
This is a book that you are going to want to keep coming back to as you develop, and I bet you'll take something away from it each time you read it. There are actionable steps through each of the sections which helps break it down and stop things feeling overwhelming.
I love the encouragement Jess gives to just go for it - the whole process of running your own business is one big learning curve, nothing is going to be "perfect" at least not straight away and with this book, you've got someone who's going to guide you through the process. The tone is upbeat and even though some of the topics could be a bit dry (anything number related!) it's written about in an engaging way.
Want to get your hands on a copy?
How to Start and Grow a Profitable Jewellery Business is available on Amazon and through the Jewellers Academy website from 20th October