Please tell us what is a
typical business day for you?
There no such typical day as sometimes I have to
pop into London for meetings, jewellery events, or just pop into Hatton garden,
sometimes I am at a show or exhibition for days which means attending the show
all day for many days but I meet lots of lovely jewellery stars.
But a workshop day means I get into the workshop
at abut 10am having planned out my to do list on the way. When I get into the workshop I check my online stockists and sort out and
beautifully wrap any jewellery orders that need to be posted out that day,
accompanied with there own “vintage” style library card which shows the
literary inspiration for the jewellery. Then deal with urgent emails and
journalist requests plus any other more urgent paperwork. If I have a show or
event coming up then I get on and sort out everything for the show.
Then its to the workbench, sometimes I work on a
bespoke jewel am creating for someone
like a engagement ring, a trade order for a shop, stock or an online sale. I
usually do a few tweets and social media stuff form the workbench, sharing what
I am working on or a press feature.
I spend the rest of the day creating jewellery in
the workshop, setting sparkling gems, polishing up the jewels so they shine and
generally playing with all my tools.
I stop for lunch in the courtyard of the art
centre in which our workshop is based, its usually already busy with the other
artists so its a lovely social little lunch, very creative and buzzing. After
that I'll pop any jewellery orders that need to be sent out to the post office
then its back to the workshop.
Usually I head home from the workshop about 7ish,
later when at home about 9 or 10ish I start again and finish off any other work
that needs to be done, emails, bespoke designs, paper work and admin finishing
up by about midnight.
What made you start the business and how did you get started?
After I graduated I began I few internships and
work experience placements, this was really useful and some great experience
but it didn’t pay. so I began making a few smaller pieces of jewellery selling
them locally and taking on a few bespoke commissions whilst gaining all the
work experience.
Then it just grew and took over, I was getting busier and busier with my own
What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the
business world to date?
It was wonderful to be listed in the HOT 100 in
2012 as one of only 17 NEXGEMS (up & coming jewellery designers) it was a
huge boost both for the business and myself, so fantastic to be selected and
placed among so many talented jewellery stars it really assured me that I was
on the right path.
I was also selected for the kickstart stand at IJL
(International Jewellery London) and a finalist for Young Accessory Designer of
the Year both in 2010 just a few months into the business, it was a huge
surprise and honer to be picked out by industry leaders for this so early on.
We have also gained a few other awards and lots of
press coverage both national and international which has been fantastic.
What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?
Finding a space was a big challenge at the start.
I had to work from home for the 1st year as there where no
affordable and suitable spaces for me have a workshop and base the business.
Since I moved into the Nucleus Arts Centre and set up my workshop there I have
been able really develop and grow phenomenally. having that dedicated workspace
where I can also have press and clients visit me, hold open studios and
shopping evenings and over all be much more professional has been a big factor
in our growth as a business.
On a personal level I have been overcoming anxiety
issues whilst trying to grow my business, which In the past left been unable to
talk to people, panic attacks and more. Though mediation, breathing exercises
and slowly building up my confidence I can now attend events and meetings
without being a complete wreck, and though I still have a way to go things are
getting a LOT better.
What are your future plans for the business?
Grow further and further. I'd like more stockists
possibly international, celebrity fans would be a big boost and lots more press
features and awards plus taking part in lots more shows and events.
Eventually I want to move to a larger workshop
with either a shop front or a dedicated “showroom” area for displaying all our
jewels and meetings.
If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would have had a e-commerce website from the
start as since we have launched the e-commerce site the response has been
amazing, and I would have had my branding more refined and defined at the
start, plus invested in professional photography at the very start. I didn’t
realise at the beginning how extremely important this is.
I do wish I had been able to deal with my anxiety
better earlier on as I am aware it has made me miss out on certain
opportunities or unable to make the most of some others. but this is slow
progress and not something that can be changed quickly.
Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow
their dreams?
To fulfil their potential and surprise themselves,
as a younger person I would have never thought I would be running my own
business, designing and making jewellery and winning awards for it.
Its so important to push yourself and your work
all the time, I it would be wonderful to inspire others to do the same and to
really fulfil their potential.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business
in your industry?
Branding is really important, having you personal
story tied in with the look of your website, packaging and everything else so
its one consistent story that the consumer and get to know the personal side of
there jewellery, why and how it was created and that connection.
Also social media especially twitter has been
hugely useful for connecting not just with jewellery fans but with stylists,
journalists and more.
What or who inspires you in business and why?
I love making and creating jewellery, especially
bespoke jewels. Its a inspiration in itself, I just couldn’t stop, I love
making and designing these beautiful jewels which will be treasured forever,
have meaning and value beyond there financial worth and that will hopefully be
passed down the generations. Its a very precious and special thing.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
The only person you are destined to become is the
person you decide to be. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Contact Details:
Sian
Bostwick Jewellery
www.sianbostwick.co.uk
twitter:
@SianBostwick
email:
sian_bostwick@live.co.uk
