Would You Still Enter the Trade If You Were Now a Young Entrepreneur?

Oh yes. I can’t imagine doing anything else! I first handled the torch in 1969. — Steven Wardle, Forest Beach Design, Chatham, MA

• No, because if I were a pretty much “broke” young man again, I would certainly not be able to pursue a jewelry career because the buy-in is so high. (I started on a wing and a prayer and lots of good luck). I would go into commercial real estate — J. Dennis Petimezas, Watchmaker’s Diamonds & Jewelry, Johnstown, PA
• No, definitely not. My 50th year is coming up and it was much, much easier years ago. Also the profits were much better. I have one of my five children in the business. Tried to talk all of them out of it. — Kent Jester, Klasse Jewelers, Florence, KY
• Yes! Jewelry technology has opened up a whole new side of the jewelry business to the younger generation that grew up with technology. CAD/CAM allows a small startup jewelry store to sell custom design without having to invest in a large inventory. — Dianna Rae High, Dianna Rae Jewelry, Lafayette, LA
• I don’t know. If I knew what the better widget was, I might give it a try. — Evan Duke, Classic Creations in Diamonds & Gold, Inc, Venice, FL
• Yes. Love the stones, the artistry, the imagination and skill. Love learning the stories of gemstones. Love being a special part of people’s lives. — Jeff Weintrop, The Silver Lady, University City, MO
• No, if I’d gone corporate I would be making waaaay more money. — Loann Stokes, Stokes Jewelry, Stillwater, MN
• Yes. If you have the passion, you can make it thrive and be successful (I feel that’s true for whatever industry you’re in). — Jen Foster, David Douglas Designs, Marietta, GA
• Yes. I love serving people with unique service and items. I love being in the LOVE business. — Dale Robertson, Dale Robertson Jewelry, Loveland, OH
• Absolutely! I feel you just need to find your niche, let your creativity be your guide. Customers are looking for authenticity and a connection to the story of the design. — Linda McEathron, Design House, Waco, TX
• Absolutely! The jewelry business has always been a challenge to marry fashion, craftsmanship and current trends with profitability. I can’t think of any other business that is as rewarding as dealing with the many happy and significant occasions in people’s lives. — Laura Pool, Laura’s Jewelry Designs, St. Robert, MO
• My son is 20 and is doing just that in lieu of being a music teacher or nuclear engineer. This is an extraordinary time to design one’s own career in this incredible industry. — Jill Keith, Enchanted Jewelry, Danielson, CT
• Never! A lot different from when I started out on Canal Street as a diamond setter. Just take a look at 47th Street. I’m there twice a week. If you want a reality check, that’s a great place to start. — Frank Intorcia, Frank Anson Jewelers, Staten Island, NY
• I was a corporate accountant for 18 years before my husband begged me to join him. I asked what he could pay me. He said $6 an hour and all the sex in the back room I wanted. I signed up. Shortly after, he hired his first employee, demoting me to only the $6 per hour. Did I know when I was 35 that I would become a jewelry designer/remodeler? Absolutely not, but I love my job, and would do it again in a heartbeat. — Jo Goralski, The Jewelry Mechanic, Inc., Oconomowoc, WI