We recently connected with Stephanie Fields and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Ah. Imposter syndrome. I feel like this is a common stress in any creative field. Am I good enough? Do I really know what I’m doing? Am I really as good as someone who’s been in the industry for decades?
When I decided to get into fine jewelry, I had ALL of these thoughts initially. I had only been working in the jewelry industry for a few years. My training was really really good, but limited. So when it came time to price my items, imposter syndrome hit hard. Like most newbies in any field, I sold myself short and don’t give myself the credit I deserved. I was basically working for free, which isn’t a good place to be! I knew I was making beautiful, well crafted pieces, but didn’t think I could charge the right amount based on experience alone. I felt like I had to undercharge just to launch the business.
Finally, one day in my studio I realized I was just as talented and good as local shops who had been open for years, if not decades. Customers were bringing me pieces in to reimagine, or fix. And as I looked at the rings, I knew mine were just as good, if not better in most cases. I started to trust my training, my eye, and my talent. I started pricing pieces more accurately to reflect the craftsmanship and time I put into each one. Funny thing, when you aren’t the rock bottom barrel price, customers trust you more. And they should! I create beautiful, durable pieces meant to last a lifetime. I no longer question if I am good enough. I AM good enough. In fact, I’m great!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I didn’t really set out to create mountain jewelry initially. I was back home for a week after visiting my mom at home. She was really sick with cancer, and I had been spending time with her back home. I was also getting ready for a wedding, so there was quite a bit going on in my life at the time. I found it really therapeutic to work on jewelry, and I just happened to make a mountain ring that evening. It really represented the mountains I was about to climb in my life. A couple of friends saw my ring, and they wanted one, too! From there, the brand kind of snowballed.
Now, I create jewelry that is meant to tell a story, just like I told with my ring all those years ago. Both brands really focus on that.
On the Lovely Baubles side, I create mountain rings and necklaces of specific peaks that are special to my customer. A first ski run, a proposal, the feat of reaching the summit of a 14er. I capture all of those accomplishments in something they can wear forever.
On the Saint K side, I focus on reimagining pieces, but also creating jewelry from scratch. Every gemstone has a reason and a story to why it’s in the jewelry. Family heirloom diamonds carry history and tradition forward, in modern pieces.
I love creating these pieces that truly tell the story of the wearer.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Working alone isn’t always easy. It takes a lot of discipline to stay focused and get the job done every day. When I first moved to Denver, I was working remote with my employer based in Florida. I learned early on to keep a routine schedule every day. I carried that over to my freelance graphic design career that followed. I started my day at the same time, took a healthy lunch break, and called the work day at 5pm. Every day.
My advice, especially for freelancers and independent designers is to treat your work just as if you had to show up to an office. Sure, you can sometimes be more flexible with your time, but that routine will help keep you focused.
Get dressed. When I stopped wearing lounge clothes all day, I felt more put together and ready for my work day. It kind of kept the laziness at bay.
Make industry connections and keep them fresh. Meet people for coffee, and keep the conversation going whenever you need advice.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My biggest challenge is being an independent jewelry designer competing with family names that have been around for decades. I don’t have a storefront, so I’m not a brick and mortar shop getting visibility everyday, either. I know that for some customers, they just don’t trust an online jeweler, even if I’m local.
So I work to create solid relationships with my customers, and every one receives personal attention – from me. I guide them through the process from start to finish, and include a little education along the way. Their great experience leads to word of mouth recommendation and I’ve grown my business in that way. I won’t be able to compete in various ways with the big box stores, but I can blow them out of the water with personalized attention and a unique experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovesaintk.com and www.lovelybaubles.com
- Instagram: @lovesaintk and @_lovelybaubles_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovesaintk and https://www.facebook.com/lovelybaubles
Image Credits
All credits are by me. Except the Eiffel Tower shot. Photo cred: Phil Arty photo – https://www.instagram.com/philarty_photo/
