Meet Anna Janelle Cardenas

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anna Janelle Cardenas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anna Janelle below.

Hi Anna Janelle, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Confidence and self-esteem didn’t come naturally to me; they’re qualities I’ve had to nurture and still actively work on. Growing up, I was incredibly shy (except around my close friends). I rarely spoke up in groups, and it took years to feel comfortable using my voice. Over time, I realized that, as a leader, it was essential not just to have a vision but to communicate it clearly and confidently. I took intentional steps along the way—reading self-help and business development books that helped me understand the mindset and skills I needed to grow. That shift didn’t happen overnight, but each book and each lesson brought me closer to feeling grounded in my own voice and decisions.

Being a leader means stepping out of my comfort zone regularly. There are still moments when I don’t feel fully confident, especially in high-stakes situations or when I’m surrounded by people with more experience. But each time I push past that discomfort, my confidence grows a little more. Building my business has also been about building myself. I remind myself that confidence isn’t about always knowing what to say or do but about showing up authentically, learning from each experience, and continuously refining my approach.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder and designer behind Anna Janelle Jewelry, a modern, handmade jewelry brand inspired by the coastal lifestyle of California and the timeless allure of Amsterdam. Since launching in 2017, my vision has been to create pieces that feel both effortlessly stylish and ideal for daily wear, blending classic and contemporary styles. As a woman- and minority-owned business, this journey is something I’m incredibly proud of. My mission goes beyond making beautiful jewelry; I aim to offer pieces that hold meaning for each customer and make them feel seen and special.

The most exciting part of my work is the unique experiences I share with customers through our in-store offerings, especially our permanent jewelry and charm bar services. Each piece is designed with intention, and working one-on-one with customers allows me to help them create jewelry that becomes a cherished part of their story. Our charm bar enables clients to craft truly personalized pieces, and our permanent jewelry service is perfect for those seeking a lasting, custom touch. We offer high-quality materials, from 14k solid gold and gold-filled pieces to sterling silver, creating a luxurious feel that remains accessible.

As the holidays approach, I’m gearing up to launch a new collection, introduce holiday offers, and unveil a line of engravable jewelry—ideal for gifting. Our small-batch pieces make thoughtful, unique gifts, and we’re committed to giving back this season by hosting a gift drive in-store to support families in need.

Looking ahead, I envision Anna Janelle Jewelry growing its presence both in our local community and online. My goal is for customers to experience the quality, care, and creativity in each piece, whether they’re discovering us for the first time or have been part of our journey from the beginning.

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?

Looking back, three qualities have been instrumental in my journey: resilience, the ability to learn continuously, and creativity with adaptability.

First, resilience has been essential. Building a business comes with countless ups and downs, and resilience helps you push through setbacks while keeping sight of your goals. I still remember some of my earliest pop ups where I didn’t sell a single piece—those moments can be disheartening. But I learned that the key is to never give up. My advice for those just starting is to embrace challenges as growth opportunities and find support systems—whether mentors, family, or fellow business owners—that keep you grounded. Resilience is built over time, often by taking one more step forward even when it feels challenging.

Second, the willingness to learn continuously has been essential. I’ve spent a lot of time reading business and self-development books, attending workshops, and learning from other successful business owners. When you’re constantly willing to learn and improve, it not only keeps your skills sharp but also inspires new ideas and strategies. For those just starting, I’d recommend reading widely and surrounding yourself with people who are passionate about growth. Invest in knowledge early; it’s something that compounds over time and shapes you in ways you can’t always predict.

Finally, creativity and adaptability have kept my business fresh and responsive. I treat business as one big experiment—there’s no secret formula, just trial and error and finding what works best for you. It’s essential to stay inspired and flexible. Creativity drives innovation in designing new collections and crafting unique experiences, like our charm bar and permanent jewelry services, while adaptability helps me respond to trends and customer needs with confidence. For newcomers, my advice is to stay open-minded and unafraid to pivot. Creativity paired with adaptability allows your business to grow and evolve naturally.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

It’s tough to pick just one book that’s shaped my journey, as each has offered unique insights that have left a lasting impact. Here are my top 3 picks:

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert changed my relationship with creativity, encouraging me to see it as something that requires courage, not perfection. Her concept of “creative courage” taught me to pursue ideas even when fear is present, treating creativity as something playful and expressive. This mindset has helped me move forward with new designs and concepts without being held back by doubt.

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara has influenced how I approach customer experience. Guidara’s focus on going above and beyond to make people feel valued has motivated me to create memorable, personalized interactions, from our charm bar to permanent jewelry services. It’s a reminder that exceptional customer care can elevate any business and create lasting connections.

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz transformed the way I handle business finances. The idea of prioritizing profit by setting it aside first, instead of waiting to see what’s left, was a game-changer. Michalowicz’s approach of dividing revenue into different accounts for profit, taxes, and expenses has created a stronger financial foundation for Anna Janelle Jewelry and has helped me make more sustainable, strategic decisions.

Each of these books has taught me invaluable lessons, providing me with practical tools and a meaningful outlook that continues to shape how I approach both my business and my personal growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annajanellejewelry.com
• Instagram: annajanellejewelry

Image Credits

Amber Dolyak
Tahra Flegg