Jewelry Business Academy Podcast

Work with me 👉 https://www.jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/

DISCLAIMER: We really enjoyed this conversation and learning more about Ben's platform. However, Robyn has not personally tested this product, and it is not officially endorsed by her or the Jewelry Business Academy.

Are you spending too much time, money, and energy perfecting your jewelry designs before you even know if they'll sell? In this episode, I'm joined by Ben Tilley, CEO and founder of Pencil, a design and commerce platform built for jewelers. We dive into a smarter way to approach jewelry design, sampling, customization, and inventory, especially when cash flow is tight and time is limited. Ben shares his journey from software to fine jewelry manufacturing and back into tech, along with the biggest mistakes he saw brands making behind the scenes. We talk about perfectionism, testing demand before overcommitting, why so many jewelry business owners are still doing things the hard way, and how technology can help you simplify the path from idea to sale. If you've ever felt stuck in the design process or overwhelmed by inventory decisions, this episode will help you rethink what's possible in your jewelry business.
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What You Will Learn in this Episode:
Why perfectionism keeps jewelry business owners stuck and how to move forward without waiting for everything to be flawless

A smarter way to test new designs and collections before investing heavily in inventory

How simplifying the design and sampling process can save time, money, and creative energy

Why sales and marketing matter just as much, if not more, than having beautiful products



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Topics Discussed:
Ben Tilley's journey from software into jewelry manufacturing and back into tech

The biggest challenges jewelry businesses face with design, sampling, and production

Why so many brands over-invest in inventory too early

How to test demand before committing to a full collection

The role of CAD design and how Pencil simplifies the process

Why strong sales and marketing skills matter more than most jewelry business owners realize



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Ready to grow + scale your jewelry business? Work with me → jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/fast-track
If you loved today's episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a strategy drop.
DM me your biggest takeaway on Instagram → @robynclarkcoaching
Grab my free business guides → linktr.ee/robynclarkcoaching
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/pencil_design_platform

Website | https://pencildesign.co/

Work with me 👉 https://www.jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/

Are you secretly wondering if your jewelry business could become your full-time reality… but fear keeps holding you back?
In this episode of the Jewelry Business Academy Podcast, I'm joined by Elle, the founder of Pretty Steep, a sterling silver jewelry brand inspired by mountain life and adventure. Elle shares her journey from working corporate marketing jobs to finally trusting herself enough to go all in on her jewelry business. We talk about the fear of leaving a steady paycheck, the power of support and community, why mindset matters just as much as strategy, and how to know when it's actually the right time to make a big move. If you've ever questioned whether your business is "just a hobby" or struggled to believe you can truly make this work, this conversation will leave you feeling deeply seen, encouraged, and ready to back yourself in a bigger way.
 
 
What You Will Learn in this Episode:
How to know when it's time to seriously consider going full time in your jewelry business

Why betting on yourself is often the turning point for real business growth

How your environment, support system, and mindset shape your success

Why treating your jewelry business like a real business changes everything



 
Topics Discussed:
Elle's journey from the UK to mountain life in BC

Starting Pretty Steep and building a jewelry brand inspired by adventure

The fear of quitting a stable job to go all in on a business

Why mindset, visibility, and self-trust matter in entrepreneurship

The impact of community and the Jewelry Business Academy retreat

Moving from hobby mindset to real business owner identity



__________________________
Ready to grow + scale your jewelry business? Work with me → jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/fast-track
If you loved today's episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a strategy drop.
DM me your biggest takeaway on Instagram → @robynclarkcoaching
Grab my free business guides → linktr.ee/robynclarkcoaching
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prettysteep/

Website | https://prettysteep.co/

Are you building a jewelry business you love… but feeling the pressure it's putting on your relationship, identity, or peace?
In this episode of the Jewelry Business Academy podcast, I'm joined by Bella and Lee Picco for a powerful conversation about what it really looks like to grow a business while growing a marriage or long-term partnership. We talk about identity shifts, communication, shared vision, role clarity, and how to stay connected when life and business feel heavy. This episode is such an important reminder that scaling a business isn't just about strategy. It's also about who you're becoming, the habits you build, and the way you support each other through hard seasons. If you're navigating entrepreneurship with a partner, or simply craving a more aligned and intentional way of growing your jewelry business, this conversation is full of wisdom, honesty, and practical takeaways you can start using right away.
 
What You Will Learn in this Episode:
How identity shifts impact both your jewelry business growth and your relationship

Why clear communication and role clarity are essential when building with a partner

How to create shared vision, goals, and check-ins that actually support your growth

Why scaling your business requires building better habits, resilience, and self-awareness first



 
Topics Discussed:
Identity shifts in entrepreneurship and relationships

The danger of tying self-worth to business success

Shared vision, mission, and goal-setting as a couple

Communication during stressful business seasons

Role clarity and staying in your lane inside the business

Building habits and resilience to support long-term growth



 
__________________________
Ready to grow + scale your jewelry business? Work with me → jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/fast-track
If you loved today's episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a strategy drop.
DM me your biggest takeaway on Instagram → @robynclarkcoaching
Grab my free business guides → linktr.ee/robynclarkcoaching
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lets.not.sugarcoat.it.podcast/

Website | https://www.thepiccoinstitute.com/

Work with me 👉 https://www.jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/


Are you pouring your heart into your jewelry business and wondering why sales still aren't happening yet?
In this episode, I'm sitting down with Kate, founder of BGLY Brooches, for a Hot Seat conversation all about what it really takes to get your first sales in a jewelry business. We talk about the early stage so many jewelry business owners find themselves in...when the website is live, the products are ready, the branding is done, but the traction still feels slow. I share why building a jewelry business is not about perfection, polished content, or chasing every strategy, but about getting your minimum viable product out there, taking messy action, and staying consistent long enough to build momentum. We also dive into comparison, confidence, sales pressure, social media, in-person selling, and the mindset shifts that help jewelry business owners keep going when things feel uncertain.
 
What You Will Learn in this Episode:
How to get your first jewelry sales when you don't yet have an audience
Why in-person events, collabs, and direct connection can work faster than waiting on Instagram
How to tell the difference between a product that needs more time and a strategy that needs refinement
Why belief, consistency, and messy action matter more than looking polished online


Topics Discussed:
Getting your first sales as a new jewelry business owner
Minimum viable product and launching before everything feels perfect
In-person selling vs. online marketing
Comparison, confidence, and mindset in business growth
Why consistency beats strategy-hopping
Building trust, community, and momentum over time


__________________________
Ready to grow + scale your jewelry business? Work with me → jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/fast-track
If you loved today's episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a strategy drop.
DM me your biggest takeaway on Instagram → @robynclarkcoaching
Grab my free business guides → linktr.ee/robynclarkcoaching
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/bgly_brooches/

Website | https://haiy0z-bm.myshopify.com/

Work with me 👉 https://www.jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/


Are you waiting until your jewelry business feels fully figured out before you really go for it?
In this episode, I'm sitting down with Julie Sloan of Ever After Jewelry to talk about what it really looks like to grow a meaningful jewelry business over time. Julie shares how she went from the corporate world to building a brand rooted in sisterhood, symbolism, and authenticity. We talk about rebranding, pivoting, trusting your ideas, and staying open to unexpected opportunities. Julie also opens up about expanding her business model, building a team, navigating copycats, and starting her business later in life. This conversation is such a powerful reminder that your path does not need to look perfect to be successful. If you've been craving encouragement to trust yourself, evolve your business, and keep going, this episode is for you.
 
What You Will Learn in this Episode:
Why you do not need to have your entire jewelry business mapped out before you begin
How authenticity creates momentum, opportunities, and deeper customer connection
A healthier mindset for dealing with copycats and staying focused on your own vision
Why it is never too late to start, pivot, or build a business that feels aligned


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Topics Discussed:
Julie's journey from corporate layoffs to jewelry business owner
Rebranding from Inspired Jules to Ever After Jewelry
How authenticity shaped the direction of her business
Building a team and expanding through sorority and campus-based events
Navigating copycats and protecting your confidence as a founder
Starting a jewelry business later in life and embracing growth through change


__________________________
Ready to grow + scale your jewelry business? Work with me → jewelrybusinessacademy.ca/fast-track
If you loved today's episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a strategy drop.
DM me your biggest takeaway on Instagram → @robynclarkcoaching
Grab my free business guides → linktr.ee/robynclarkcoaching
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/everaftherjewelry/

Website | https://everafther.com/