The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Like a big sister or a best friend, Three Haute Mamas wants to support each and every woman out there. The women business owners, non profit directors, even the everyday mama who's making a difference. We are starting a series of sit downs called "In the Haute Seat", where we will tackle all kinds of pressing questions our readers want to know. How they started their journey in business? What's their secret? How they balance it all? Glee or American Idol? You know..the good stuff. Know someone who should be featured "In the Haute Seat"? Then by all means, let us know.
Today however, our first In the Haute Seat guest honor belongs to Michele Mavissakalian. She wowed us with her jewelry line, and was generous enough to sit down and answer a few questions for the mamas. If you missed our piece on her line, you can go back and read it here. Michele followed her passion and created a line of jewels that is not only breath taking but also carries deep meaning in each piece. So grab your beverage of choice, or in Michele and my case, cereal of choice, and enjoy.
1. What prompted you to start your own business?
I've always been a creative person, which has its pluses and minuses. After breaking away from the arts trying to make my way as a writer and actress I fell into a corporate job as an agency recruiter here in NYC. It was my first real corporate job and in a way, working as an agency recruiter was like running my own business within a business. It was a commission based position which was quite rewarding in many ways and I think gave me the confidence to later do something on my own that I wouldn't have had if I had been in a salaried position.
2. What inspires you?
Coming from the theatre, I'm very much inspired by words and poetry which is why I guess my first collection is named after Victorian writers. But I'm also inspired by the reaction of making something that others find beautiful. It's very satisfying to create something and then to have someone else enjoy it. It has in a way become it's own form of performance for me.
3. Do you have favorite pieces, or is that like choosing a favorite child?
Oh that's tough and yes a bit like choosing a favorite child. When I started making jewelry as a hobby I made one of a kind semi-precious pieces and it was indeed hard to part with them but that makes it hard to run a business! If I had to choose I'd pick the Emily Bronte 4 piece necklace. It has a classic feel to it but it's also bold and you can wear it with just about anything for any occasion.
4. If you weren't designing jewelry, what would you be doing?
I'd be decorating. I took Interior Design classes in Paris for a semester when I was living there for a while. But it's a lot more practical to design jewelry unless you have many different homes at your disposal. If anyone out there is interested in a decorator though, I'm available!
5. Do you have children, (how many? ages?) and if so, how do you balance it all?
I don't have children but I'd love to someday. I don't know how moms starting a business do it but I see them do it and admire that tremendously. I hope I'll have children soon.
6. What is the one piece of advice you would give to women starting their own business?
Ah...I have a bit of advice but it's really simple. Pick something you absolutely love, believe in yourself and give yourself permission to invest in yourself whether it's hiring a consultant or a part time assistant. It's hard to do it all alone and investing in help will push you to work faster!
7. Favorite guilty pleasure (ie shoe shopping, chocolate, reality tv)?
You name it! I wouldn't be human if I didn't fall prey to just about all of them would I? Lately my guiltiest pleasure has to be spending more than my share of time in front of the TV streaming netflix, episode after episode when I should be doing other things. 24 and Dexter and high on my list. Put some cereal in front of me and I'm set. I know it's odd but I LOVE cereal and consequently never have it in stock because I could eat the whole box at once.
Thank you Michele, for sharing your advice, designing such lovely jewelry and also validating my cereal addiction (I'm a Multi-grain Cheerios type gal!).
For more information please visit M.Mavi Jewelry
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