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It took years of trial and error, but I stuck with it and always believed that if I worked hard, I could make anything happen. Starting a business takes at 26 take a lot of courage and perseverance, but I knew that living my life as a creative is what I was put on this planet to do.
Running a small business has so many facets and while it can be so rewarding, it can also be challenging at times. But, at the end of the day when I walk out of my shop, I look up at the CMD sign and feel so grateful because it reminds me of where I started and how far we’ve come as a group of women on two coasts.
I often get asked what my favorite part of being a designer is. For me, it’s surely the creative design process – the part where I sit down, put pen to paper, and sketch and sketch and sketch. When I’m in the studio by myself, there’s something about the quiet that allows my brain to flick on… well, on a good day anyway.
My mom is one of the most amazing people in my life. Living 3000 miles apart isn’t always easy, but we manage by getting on the phone together nearly every day. My mom is a woman I have always admired – she raised me, my brother and sister on her own while working as an elementary school teacher.
This time of year has different meanings and feelings for everyone…this I know. For anyone out there also hustlin’ this December, remember to take a moment and savor some of the magic. For anyone out there who also feels down or lonely this time of year, remember that you are loved and to be really good to yourself.
This is a very special week, as my beloved grandma turns 100 years old on July 29! Does she look incredible or what!? I feel so grateful that my life has been surrounded by strong, inspiring women, and my grandma is a huge part of that unshakeable foundation.
CMD runs on woman power, and we’re all the stronger for it. We were delighted to spend the last few days at our New York Production Studio, all the way across the country from our San Francisco HQ. While we may span time zones, our common passions, worth ethics and respect for one another keep us closely tied together.
As the year winds down and we look forward to 2017, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for supporting small business this year. We’re appreciative of each of one of you! Our very favorite part of the holiday season (next to spending it with friends and family) is the Christmas tree itself.
One of the best things about the Bay Area is its proximity to nature—drive a couple miles any direction and you’ll find something beautiful. Recently, I unplugged for four days, and I admit - living “off the grid” was fantastic. Just north of Sacramento, on the Feather River, we joined a group of friends and embraced a nature-filled time.
This past week, I was so fortunate to travel back to Virginia Tech and spend time with my 13 (yes, 13!) closest college friends in honor of our 15-year graduation anniversary. Being back at VT after all these years was refreshing, exciting, nostalgic, and made me incredibly thankful for such wonderful lifelong friendships.
If you’re a frequent reader of our blog, you know that creating fine, handmade jewelry right here in San Francisco is the beating heart of CMD. We’re so proud (and grateful!) for it all: watching our designs come alive; a rockstar staff; an amazing neighborhood filled to the brim with other local creatives—the list goes on.
As I reflect on these 10 years of glory, pain, joy, tears, laughter, friendships, and oh-so much more, I must express both my gratitude and my nostalgia. I am overflown with happiness and pride, and though I am just a speck in the universe of creators, I live for this passion (truly, creativity keeps me sane).
