We were lucky to catch up with Cynthia Jankowski recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Cynthia with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Growing up on a farm as an immigrants daughter I was taught how to work for what I wanted. My mother immigrated her country when she was 13 years old and my father joined the military when he was 17. I think growing up with such driven parents you dont learn any other way than to work for what you want. Nothing was ever handed to me. I watched my parents work hard for everything they have and it taught me not to give up. My grandmother was from a small village in Poland. The village seamstress to be exact. A family of 6, they had to do any job they could to make ends meet. I was taught from my grandparents and my parents how to earn. Even small feats of feeding the animals and then collecting milk or eggs as the reward.
Moving to Aspen I knew that I had real life skills to do any job. As long as I could show up, I felt as though I could learn. And if you learn, you can create… I have an immense gratitude for my work ethic and feel as though it it my strongest trait. Thanks to my amazing family and upbringing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
The Hive was created by being patient… I had found a job that I LOVED. It was my dream job (even though I had no idea THEN what a dream job was). The art and creativity. The personal inclusion in milestones that people were trusting me with. In a way… Love. Jewelry is many times given around love,
I worked for the previous owner of a jewelry store in the same space mine is located. I studied and learned the trade inside and out….
I had hopes of maybe having my own store one day but refused to get my hopes up to just get let down in a land of trust funders and high rents. But some how, someone saw me, and that was my landlord. She genuinely believed in me… and she gave me the lease. There were so many powerful women in this town, in my life, that encouraged me to keep this little store going that I decided to give it a full hearted try. And that is how The Hive was born. “Girl Bees build the hive” and that is exactly what happened. I began my buying for my first year, and I thought to myself, “how fun would it be to have all female goldsmiths and women designers from the US!?” After all women are stronger together. Its also noticeable in the store, it is clear that each piece is made or designed by a woman they have a feminine twist.
I also decided when I opened The Hive that it would be a place to gather. Our housing and entertaining spaces in Aspen are tiny. And after being in a town for almost 20 years you get acquainted with people, so why wouldn’t I share my larger space in town? I host book signings, musical artists, local artists, the annual holiday bazaar other jewelry designers, wine tastings and pop ups. Its amazing! It’s such a fun space to be in.
I LOVE being dazzling and sparkling, I LOVE buying jewelry on vacation and remembering my trip, and I can see that a lot of my clientele are similar. I always look for the store who is locally owned and operated, and has things that are different. Not brands. And that is exactly what The Aspen Hive is.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think having drive and work ethic are number one. If you are willing to work hard and show up and learn. There is no doubt you can do it. (I worked so many second jobs just to get by in Aspen. But nothing was beneath me. I worked every job you could think of).
Trusting people around you, knowing who you are working with and having real connections with people.
Believing in myself was by far the hardest one. (I was told I wasn’t good enough and couldn’t afford it, but I knew in my heart I loved what I did so much it didnt matter). Don’t ever let someone put down your goals.
My advice for people early in their journey is JUMP! Take the leap! It sounds a little silly but “trust the path” and if it fails it’s ok! You will learn a lot from it. And even if it feels like its spinning out of control and not happening… dont worry. It will. Just keep being proactive. Its not easy but it then somehow some way… happens.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I am always looking for female jewelers and goldsmiths. Clothing brands and authors to host at the shop!
It is hard to pick one person that has been the most helpful… I have had so many powerful women influences that have helped me from design to marketing. In fact in homage to The Hive, we have a Hive wall in the back that showcases all of the strong women who have guided me.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: Aspenhive
- Facebook: The Aspen Hive
Image Credits
The blink of a lens
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
