Meet Lauren Genovese-Maley

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Genovese-Maley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lauren, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my parents. My father, a renowned lapidary artist, is incredibly passionate about his craft, while my mother balanced raising four children with a demanding career as a nurse. Their dedication and resilience have always inspired me, instilling in me the drive to push beyond my limits.

I started working at the age of 14 in my hometown, a seasonal resort town, and by 17, I was holding down two jobs during the summer and weekends, saving diligently to buy my first car. At 33, I became a single mother to two young children. It was my parents’ unwavering support that gave me the confidence to return to college, where I earned my Associate’s degree and began my career as a paralegal.

I later returned to school to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Law & Justice. This September, I will embark on a new educational journey in Law School to earn my Master’s Degree in Legal Studies.

Balancing full-time work, school, and raising my family, I also tapped into my creative side, launching a small business handcrafting gemstone beaded jewelry. My ultimate goal is to be as much of a role model to my children as my parents were, and still are, to me. I want them to see that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.

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?

Balance is essential to me, as is staying true to who I am and what truly matters. Family will always be my top priority, but I also believe that people are multifaceted and shouldn’t be confined to just one role. Over the past decade, I’ve focused on my education and building a career in the legal field. While that remains a significant part of my life, I’m now also channeling my energy into exploring my creative side and growing my small business.

Having grown up surrounded by gemstones, I’ve always admired their beauty and their deep connection to nature. Gemstones have a unique power to empower individuals and enhance their natural beauty. Each piece I create is a tangible expression of a feeling, crafted with care and intention. In a world where so many products are mass-produced and of low quality, a handcrafted piece of jewelry holds special value.

As an entrepreneur, it can be challenging to wear many hats—designer, maker, bead and component sourcer, social media manager, accountant, inventory specialist, marketing officer, and more. My focus, however, remains on the quality of each piece I create, trusting that the rest will fall into place organically.

I sell my jewelry collection both online and at local markets throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Connecting with clients in person adds a special touch that online shopping can’t replicate. There’s something truly meaningful when a customer can meet the person who crafted their dream necklace or bracelet, especially when they’re investing their hard-earned money.

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?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: embracing failure, resilience, and self-belief.

Failure is a crucial teacher. Without it, you never truly discover what works and what doesn’t. Taking risks is essential for growth, whether in your personal life or professional career. However, risk-taking inevitably comes with the possibility of failure. The key is to view these failures as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. They provide valuable insights that guide your future decisions and help you refine your path.

Resilience is another critical quality. Life is full of unexpected twists, and being able to adapt or pivot when things don’t go as planned is essential. I learned resilience working in restaurants, where the motto “what can go wrong, will go wrong” often holds true. Flexibility and the ability to bounce back from challenges are skills that serve you well in all aspects of life.

Lastly, believing in yourself and your abilities is vital. Confidence doesn’t come overnight—it’s built over time through experiences of failure and resilience. By pushing through difficult times and learning from them, you develop a stronger sense of self-assurance.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to embrace failure as a stepping stone, cultivate resilience to navigate the inevitable ups and downs, and trust in your abilities. Each experience, whether good or bad, contributes to your growth and success.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My husband has been the most instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills I needed to succeed. From the day we met, he has been my biggest supporter, always encouraging me, especially during moments of doubt. There have been countless times when I’ve broken down in tears, questioning whether what I was doing was worth it—whether it was writing a paper for school, trying to finish my last semester of college as a non-traditional student in my 40s, or starting a business amid all my other commitments.

Through it all, he’s been there to pick me up and cheer me on. I often say I’m a one-woman show, but the truth is, his unwavering support and encouragement are more crucial to my success than any marketing strategy ever could be.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

1st photo – M. Michael Maley
2nd photo – Ken Romm
All other photos – Lauren Genovese-Maley

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