Member-only story
My First Business
A startup selling fine jewelry
After two-and-a-half years in retail jewelry, I decided I’d had enough and began the blueprint for my own business. Unhappy and dissatisfied with the pay and toxic culture of the fine jewelry store.
A small staff in a high-end store in a stuffy, buttoned-up town. The owner prided himself on competing with the bigger stores in Manhattan. Tiffany’s, Cartier, and Harry Winston.
There was an arrogance that was present and promoted. As if we were the finest store in the county, above, better, and beyond the other fine jewelry stores. The prevailing attitude: You’re not our competition, we’re yours.
The town was a bedroom community full of Wall Street and country club types. I never got along with the manager. I think he saw me as a threat, and never really cared to mentor or support me.
Just as well. I never thought that highly of him either. That said, my ambition was never to replace him as the store’s manager. I preferred the autonomy of sales, design, and importing.
My boss had outside connections as well. Designers, importers, and gemstone cutters in New York City’s Diamond District. The bonus for me was that I was the guy who ran into the city to pick stuff up and drop it off.
