Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Goldberg.
Hi Jenn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved all things creating, designing, and inspiring. Even as a little girl, my entrepreneurial spirit manifested itself in attempts to promote my own craft sales, host neighborhood art camps, help people with decorating and organizing, and I’ve also been creating jewelry for over 20 years now. However, I hardly would’ve believed it if someone told me five years ago that I’d soon start my own jewelry business and be hosting pop-up sales at places like Madewell, Local Roots Taproom, large community events, and private parties! The most exciting part, too, is that I still have bigger goals to chase, so it feels really great to be where I am at this moment!
Starting in 2019, as soon as my toddlers started preschool a few mornings a week, I found myself craving a creative outlet again on a regular basis. So, I began searching for the perfect opportunity to make use of my small window of solo time. . . something to give me more purpose, fulfillment, and a sense of growth beyond the daily (and seemingly unending) responsibilities I had come to know as a dedicated full-time mom and wife. While exploring options and doing some design work on the side, I also started selling a limited number of one-of-a-kind necklaces at a local retailer. Every time I’d brainstorm ideas about the foundation of my future endeavors (and what would truly make me happy for many years to come), I kept coming back to the same few principles: designing and creating things that make people happy, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and honoring where I came from because it’s what has made me the woman/wife/mom/person I am today. Once I really honed in on these tenets, and after waking up one morning from a dream where I started my own jewelry business, I finally knew exactly what I needed to do! I set out to create a minimalistic, everyday jewelry brand for “busy babes and mamas” just like myself that could truly be lived in. I knew it had to have an uplifting aesthetic that evoked contentment and good vibes, and it would be inspired by the beautifully simplistic laid-back beach culture in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This small business journey of mine certainly hasn’t been easy, but I absolutely believe that strength grows from struggle, and I know I’ve grown the most when I’ve had to face my biggest obstacles and fears! I had thoughtfully and confidently made my decision to start JULES GREY JEWELS at the end of February 2020, so I immediately applied for my Seller’s Permit, started networking and picking brains of fellow artisans, eventually found a quality supplier I trusted, and invested all the money and time I could to get things going. Then, only a couple of weeks into my new venture, our world was unexpectedly turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, and my already limited solo time (that I had been planning everything around) no longer existed, with no return in sight. Many months later as our community began to adopt our “new normal”, including hybrid homeschooling, I had to juggle putting on my mom/teacher hat for online learning while hustling upstairs to my makeshift office so that I could also put on my artist/creator hat for 20-minute increments. To say it has been a struggle is definitely putting it lightly, but it cemented in me how badly I wanted success. With help from my husband, who is an extremely hands-on Dad, we worked tirelessly to lead our family and respective businesses through the pandemic storm. I had very little to no childcare help for the majority of 2020, making the launch of JULES GREY JEWELS slower trudging than initially anticipated. Luckily our family stayed healthy, and throughout the stressful and unprecedented time experiencing a global pandemic, I fortunately found relief and sanity in this creative outlet and business venture. I remained extremely dedicated to my craft and made time when there often seemed to be none. I spent many late nights and early mornings learning everything possible about starting a business on my own. . . from branding and marketing, product photography and building an e-commerce website, bookkeeping, to expanding upon my previously self-taught skills as a jewelry designer. Sometimes it seemed all too much, but in hindsight, my strength and determination grew from these struggles, and I accomplished so much more than I anticipated during COVID. It’s still a daily balancing act trying to wear my mom and wife hats while running a handmade jewelry business as a one-woman show, but I’ve learned to embrace the struggle and keep looking onward and upward!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Boho, glam + everyday, chic jewelry, JULES GREY is handcrafted + inspired by good vibes in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA. My designs have always been a mix of bohemian and glam, and since becoming a mom, they’ve also evolved into more functional and minimalistic pieces that are comfortable, effortlessly chic, and meant to be lived in every day. Drawing upon such design principles, my first and most popular collection was born: LIVE in LINKS (TM) for the busy babes + mamas who never have enough time. Cute, comfortable, lightweight pieces in high quality 14K gold fill + sterling silver so you can live in your links and feel put together day in, day out. Because I insist on making jewelry that lasts and value my clients’ investments, I always use the best possible precious metals (nickel-free 14K gold fill + .925 sterling silver) so the jewelry can be worn every day, all day. All stones used are semi-precious gemstones, and I purposely choose materials that will ensure both beauty as well as durability, so they may one day become heirloom pieces to hand down. I also have other collections, such as: CARDIFF SEA + SOL (20% of sales will be donated to Cardiff Schools Education Association) and MAMA + MINI (sold as a pair so little ones can sport their own JULES GREY JEWELS just like mommy; one for MAMA + one 15% OFF for mini). My collections have a continuity to them, but also have their own personalities to appeal to each individual.
While a handful of pieces were designed with my family’s origins and our heirloom jewels in mind, most of the jewelry I’ve created is simply a tribute to historical Cardiff and inspired by our quaint little beach town. I feel incredibly fortunate to call Cardiff-by-the-Sea home, and I’ve always found myself influenced by the alluring colors and serene beach vibes along our gorgeous coastline. For this reason, most pieces are uniquely named after all the special streets in this beautiful beach town (like Mackinnon, Edinburg, Birmingham, and Oxford). My COMPOSER DISTRICT collection is also significantly inspired by mesmerizing strolls through that specific area in Cardiff, adorned with fantastic ocean views and charming streets named after famous musical composers.
I absolutely love and appreciate getting honest insightful feedback, whether it’s when I’m working closely with people on custom orders or at maker’s markets and private pop-up events. With that said. . . please contact me if you’d like to have JULES GREY JEWELS at your next girls’ night, birthday, shower, school, or business event! We’ll customize a perfect selection of beautifully displayed jewelry for you and your guests (depending on your preference and event size) so that guests can browse and shop at their convenience.
Follow @jules.grey.jewels on Instagram for new design, event, and giveaway updates, and stay tuned for details about upcoming pop-up sales at Madewell, Cardiff101 Kringle Mingle, and Local Roots Taproom!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
To be honest, a lot of things! Things that truly feed my soul. Family, friends, warm weather and the beach, Moms’ Nights, good sushi and wine, Maui getaways, puppies, a great workout, catching up on sleep since it rarely happens, and making jewelry that people love of course! Designing beautiful and meaningful jewelry with an ocean view in Cardiff, while also spending time with my family and friends, allows me the opportunity to create and be present in my happiness. It’s incredibly fulfilling being able to produce jewelry that makes me just as happy as it does those who receive it!
Pricing:
- Anklets, bracelets, earrings, necklaces || prices range from about $30-$150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://julesgreyjewels.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jules.grey.jewels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.grey.jewels
Image Credits
Jenn Goldberg
