Living in a coastal Florida area and spending every summer at the beach growing up, I am very drawn to Lauren Christy Jewelry. Many of the rings remind me of driftwood and the shells scattered along the shore I used to search for with my grandmother. It is my pleasure to include Lauren Christy in my Thriving Under Thirty series this month. A fellow Flagler College alumna this Floridian is now living in Italy chasing her dreams. Read on to see what it's like to be an expat running a business in a new country.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have a degree in Business Administration from Flagler College and a certification as a Bench Jeweler from Studio Jeweler’s in New York City. While in NYC, I began my jewelry career working for Giles & Brother and I opened my own Etsy shop called Brass & Lyre that functioned as a part time creative outlet. It was always my dream to have my own collection and work completely for myself. When I got the chance to move to Milan, Italy, I finally took the plunge and started a fine jewelry line.
What is your biggest source of inspiration?
I know it’s cliché but I really do find inspiration everywhere. I even have a necklace called The Aurora that was inspired by the sidewalks of Milan. Living in Europe can feel like museum overload sometimes but ancient relics inspire me constantly. I especially love seeing old Roman and Egyptian jewelry. Everything was so much more raw and unrefined back then and I tend to gravitate more towards that look. If you look at my current collection, you can easily see that the ocean and nature are my biggest inspirations. Being from Florida, I think I have some seawater in my blood and I can never go too long without seeing the ocean.
What were the biggest obstacles you faced to getting where you are now with your shop?
Well let’s just say, I don’t recommend a foreign country as the first place to launch your business. Learning Italian, figuring out the business laws and trying to get the permits to stay and open this business have all been struggles. But all that work has really allowed me to see how much I really want to have my own business and for it to be successful.
What has been your most popular/best selling item?
The Capiz has been my most sold piece. It is a necklace made from a cast pendant that resembles a flat, wide shell and it comes in sterling silver or bronze.
Do you have any words of advice for other creatives looking to succeed with their artistic talents?
I always advise people to just go for it! There’s really nothing to lose. For me, I had people asking for years to buy stuff and I never really had confidence in my creations. So, one day, I decided to just open up an Etsy shop and see what would happen. And I remember I sold my first piece that same day to a total stranger and that just blew my mind that there were people out there that actually wanted to buy my pieces. Also, don’t underprice your items! Pricing can be really difficult and it’s taken me a long time to figure out that I had been underselling my pieces for years.
What is the most difficult part of your job?
Managing everything on my own is extremely difficult. Right now, it’s just me, so I design, create and produce every piece. I also have to manage the website, the marketing and all the accounting aspects. That’s when I’m grateful for my business degree! It can be so hard to be motivated every day when you’re on your own but I have begun to realize that I’m really at my most happiest self when I’m working for myself and selling my own pieces.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have a degree in Business Administration from Flagler College and a certification as a Bench Jeweler from Studio Jeweler’s in New York City. While in NYC, I began my jewelry career working for Giles & Brother and I opened my own Etsy shop called Brass & Lyre that functioned as a part time creative outlet. It was always my dream to have my own collection and work completely for myself. When I got the chance to move to Milan, Italy, I finally took the plunge and started a fine jewelry line.
What is your biggest source of inspiration?
I know it’s cliché but I really do find inspiration everywhere. I even have a necklace called The Aurora that was inspired by the sidewalks of Milan. Living in Europe can feel like museum overload sometimes but ancient relics inspire me constantly. I especially love seeing old Roman and Egyptian jewelry. Everything was so much more raw and unrefined back then and I tend to gravitate more towards that look. If you look at my current collection, you can easily see that the ocean and nature are my biggest inspirations. Being from Florida, I think I have some seawater in my blood and I can never go too long without seeing the ocean.
What were the biggest obstacles you faced to getting where you are now with your shop?
Well let’s just say, I don’t recommend a foreign country as the first place to launch your business. Learning Italian, figuring out the business laws and trying to get the permits to stay and open this business have all been struggles. But all that work has really allowed me to see how much I really want to have my own business and for it to be successful.
What has been your most popular/best selling item?
The Capiz has been my most sold piece. It is a necklace made from a cast pendant that resembles a flat, wide shell and it comes in sterling silver or bronze.
Do you have any words of advice for other creatives looking to succeed with their artistic talents?
I always advise people to just go for it! There’s really nothing to lose. For me, I had people asking for years to buy stuff and I never really had confidence in my creations. So, one day, I decided to just open up an Etsy shop and see what would happen. And I remember I sold my first piece that same day to a total stranger and that just blew my mind that there were people out there that actually wanted to buy my pieces. Also, don’t underprice your items! Pricing can be really difficult and it’s taken me a long time to figure out that I had been underselling my pieces for years.
What is the most difficult part of your job?
Managing everything on my own is extremely difficult. Right now, it’s just me, so I design, create and produce every piece. I also have to manage the website, the marketing and all the accounting aspects. That’s when I’m grateful for my business degree! It can be so hard to be motivated every day when you’re on your own but I have begun to realize that I’m really at my most happiest self when I’m working for myself and selling my own pieces.
Lauren very kindly has provided all of you with a discount for reading. Use code JUSTMEAGHAN to get 15% off until October 31st. Tweet me with whatever you order- I want to see what you decide on. :) I'm either ordering her silver Anthoza Ring or Capnella Ring, I will never be without the oceanic vibes with these pieces!
I will continue to bring you interviews with successful women under (I'm getting old) around the age of thirty. If you or someone you know might be interested in being featured please email meaghanmae@gmail.com.
Linked up today with Because Shanna Said So and Mid Week Muse.
