Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Bertoni, owner of Bertoni Gallery, located in Greenwood Lake, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I own Bertoni Gallery and exhibit my own creations as well as many other local artisans. I try to keep a variety of jewelry styles and price ranges so almost anyone can find something they like. I love to make people happy with my creations that make me happy. I feel it is a full circle when someone walks out with one of my designs. I have written several poems about my inspiration and often read the poetry to customers that are really enthralled with my collection. I have had people cry with joy, hug me when leaving, and say they felt that they had an experience in my gallery.

Tell us about yourself

I have been making jewelry for almost 40 years. I always loved to wear it and loved looking at my grandmother's treasures when I would go to her home for a visit. I have done design and modelmaking freelance services for some of America's largest gold manufacturers for the first 20 years. I always wanted a retail store and looked in NYC for ten years. I always thought I would like to be able to make and sell my own creations rather than design for someone else. In 2000 I found that opportunity n a mixed-use zone and bought a home and built my first gallery in the downstairs of my new home, and that was the beginning of my retail life. I love being surrounded by all the art that all the artists create. I love the stones I have collected over the years and love to make beautiful jewelry that will hopefully find a home and be taken care of for many years to come. I try to sign each piece when possible and hope my creations live on and make generations of people happy. That truly makes my day each and every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment was when my collection was worn by Jennifer Lopez in the film "The Back-Up Plan". I received so many accolades from the community. The newspapers wrote several articles about it, and I received several orders from all over the world. I was so honored because CBS studios said that JLO chose my creations over about 50 other designers.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing for me is keeping up with paperwork and following up on all the requests from my customers. Since I am the only one working on the special orders and the only one answering email, doing the filing and sorting of my collection of molds, designs, and such, it takes me away from the actual creating of the jewelry.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I would say the number one thing is to go into a business that you absolutely love. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life. I feel that is true as I have been known to work up to 22 hours in a day and do it knowing that it is to keep me going in my love of my business.

The second thing is to have stick-to-it-liveness and perseverance. In the beginning, I struggled quite a bit because it wasn't growing as fast as I thought it would. You have to have the attitude that this must happen, not maybe it will happen. You must say I will do whatever it takes to make it happen! Of course, I mean legally!!

The third thing is to treat customers as you would like to be treated. I treat all my customers with equal respect and kindness. I entertain all questions and even entertain the young ones. Some of them have gone on to become jewelry designers just from one day of my demonstrations and allowing them to create something right there on the spot. I see many businesses that treat customers poorly, and then they come to my store and say they will never go back to that other store because of how they were treated. I always have repeat customers once they find me!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you are looking to be creative, just keep the flame alive and keep doing what you love, and build something while you are doing your day-to-day job. Even if it is ten minutes a day at the end of the week, you will have put in one hour toward your goal. I hear too many people say I want to but never start the process. You have to be in it to win it!!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bertonigallery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbertoni/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bertonijewelryand_art/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bertonijewelry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-bertoni/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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