Working Girl, Boss Babe, Girl Boss, Mompreneur…Female entrepreneurs tend to be defined by their gender, like most professions that have historically been male-dominated. Successful female business owners are often labeled as strong, but I think “strong” is overrated. Confidence is a better word. Confidence isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. Personally, it’s something I had to build, over years of trial and error.
When I first started making jewelry in 2008, my children were just getting to be school aged, and I wasn’t thinking about launching a business. I wore my own pieces, people asked where they came from, and eventually they asked if I could make customized pieces for them. One order became another, and before long, what started as a personal hobby grew into a brand. It happened organically because it came from something authentic.
Like many women, I have more than one role. I’m a business owner, a mother, and the person responsible for making sure everything gets done. There are no days off when you own your own company. You’re constantly thinking ahead—what to create next, how to market it, how to stay organized, how to grow without losing what made your business special in the first place. For me, it’s connecting with people one on one, and creating jewelry that’s personal and tells a story. I don’t do mass-market reproductions. It’s all dedicated, creative work, and, thankfully, the work never really ends.
Some days I’d like to fire myself, but I can’t. There are customers waiting for their jewelry, e-mails that need answering, and a brain that won’t shut down. One day can feel like nothing goes right, and the next reminds me exactly why I started. One of the greatest rewards is seeing someone wearing something I created. Hearing that they love it or receiving an unexpected compliment never gets old. A kind word is more welcome than most people realize.
I’ve also learned that everyone has an opinion. If you spend too much time listening to the noise, you’ll lose sight of your own direction. Believing in yourself, staying focused, and simply sticking with it are often more important than having the perfect plan. Although success also isn’t something you build alone. The people around you matter. Supportive friends, family, mentors, and other entrepreneurs can make all the difference. I’ve never believed that women need to compete with one another. There’s room for collaboration, encouragement, and shared success—and I can only hope that others follow the same mentality.
Women like Diane von Furstenberg and Carolina Herrera built massive brands by taking small steps that reflected who they were, not who they thought they should be. I’ve seen that same entrepreneurial spirit much closer to home. My sister grew her interior design business into a successful brick-and-mortar studio, Coleman-Bancroft, through years of consistency and determination. Other brands like VReserve, Sarah Bray, and Marie-Chantal remind us that small, thoughtfully built businesses can grow into something truly recognizable.
The lesson for me is simple: Find something that matters to you, decide how much time you’re willing to invest (you’ll need a lot), and don’t be afraid to let your personality become part of your business. Your lifestyle, your experiences, and perhaps most importantly, your imagination are often what set you apart.
If my children learn anything from watching me, I hope it’s this—believe in yourself, work hard, and don’t be afraid to start small. Small authentic ideas have a way of becoming something much bigger than you ever imagined.
Jennifer Creel
