Gin Rin is 5

Gin Rin is 5️⃣ 🥳 🎉

 

On this day, a quinquennium ago, I hit publish on my Etsy shop and thus was born my little biz.

 

I’d never felt more vulnerable than when I first put my creations out into the world. But I’ll never forget that flood of relief, joy and pride when I realised people actually liked them. 

 

(The first piece I ever sold. An Aquamarine pendant in sterling silver.)

 

Time flies when you’re having fun - but five years is a long time, right? So what’s happened since 15th August 2020?

 

Well, quite a lot. But here are a few highlights:

💎 I’ve worked with (and fallen for) so many new gemstones, from so many suppliers - and thankfully, there are still plenty left to discover.

🌍 I’ve met hundreds of lovely people from all over the world, many just as gemstone obsessed as I am.

✨ I started to work with gold and mixed metals - something that once felt completely out of reach.

💍 I made a couple of engagement rings and even a wedding ring!

🥂 I got engaged myself, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be making my own wedding ring soon… plus some wedding day jewels, of course. Just trying to decide what I want 🤔 

👶 I became a mum to two gorgeous little humans. Which means my working hours now fall mostly after bedtime. I’m officially a night owl.

🌐 I built a website of my very own.

✍️ And a blog. (In case you hadn’t noticed 🤪)

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What I’ve learned from five years of running a small business

I’d like to think I’ve been steadily honing my skills - both at the bench and behind the scenes over the last half decade. But here are a few of the bigger lessons that have stuck:

🌦 Have a little faith. It won’t always be smooth sailing. Sometimes when it rains, it pours; other times, there’s a total drought. But a positive mindset (and a decent metaphor 😂) can help you ride out the lulls.

🔥 I’m too stubborn to only make bestsellers. Maybe it’s not the best business strategy, but I have to make what I love and hope someone else loves it too. Because…

⚡️ Energy and momentum matter. Business is always best when I’m excited about what I’m making. So yes, I have to keep buying new gemstones. It’s essential.

🎯 Success is subjective - and it shifts. I don’t need to build a multi-million pound business to feel successful. Right now, success looks like being able to work around my children, doing something I love, and knowing there’s plenty of time to grow.

 

(A spring chicken celebrating the launch of her new business in 2020.)

 

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To anyone who’s supported me over the last five years - thank you. Whether you’ve bought a piece, shared a post, or just sent a kind message, it’s meant more than I can say.

I don’t know what the next five years will bring for Gin Rin, I’ve got things on the ‘one day when I’ve got more time’ list - such trading at local events and finally meeting some of you in person. But at the moment I’m enjoying taking things as they come without the pressure of strict goals or target dates.

As the saying goes - yesterday is history, tomorrow’s a mystery, today is a gift and jewellery makes a good present 😉