Meet Man Luo

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

Hi Man, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Being ‘the only one in the room’ often means navigating uncharted paths, but that also opens up a unique space to make an impact. While it’s challenging to predict success in an unfamiliar field, I approach my work with the mindset of an experimenter. I identify benchmarks from comparable cases, even if they’re not directly related, and adapt methodologies that are intuitive to me.

The key challenge is knowing when to step back and assess progress. I set a limit on how much time, energy, and resources I’m willing to invest—what I call my ‘sunk cost estimation.’ This approach keeps me grounded, helping me measure effectiveness without exhausting resources. Success may not always be immediate, but this method allows me to continuously learn and refine my practice.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I work in the jewelry field with a multifaceted role as a designer, historian, and appraiser, driven by the idea of jewelry as a bridge between personal storytelling, sustainability, and style. My focus goes beyond traditional fashion statements; I aim to create pieces that resonate deeply with people, serving as symbols of personal expression and mindfulness in their daily lives.
This past summer, I launched the Essentia collection under my brand, Aranya Jewelry. This collection is special because it embraces serenity and sustainability, encouraging both wearers and the industry to pause and reflect. We used eco-friendly materials and paid attention to every detail to ensure each piece aligns with principles of beauty and responsibility. Essentia has connected with clients who value not just adornment but a piece that reflects their values and provides a moment of calm amidst today’s fast pace.
Looking forward, I’m working on a winter project centered around lab-grown diamonds, which is an exciting step towards sustainable jewelry. But it’s more than just about sustainability; this series will explore themes of self-narrative and emotional support. I believe jewelry can act as a form of personal reinforcement—a wearable reminder of one’s values, identity, or aspirations. This collection is intended to be a companion piece, embodying the wearer’s intentions and mindset.
Through all my projects, my vision is to create jewelry that transcends aesthetics. I see jewelry as a sustainable and meaningful craft, one that evolves alongside our values. My goal is to reimagine jewelry as an art form that resonates with the world around us, honoring both the wearer and our environment.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, resilience has undoubtedly been the most impactful quality in my journey, especially in an industry like jewelry, where success is often measured in revenue. Choosing to focus on values beyond monetary gain is a personal decision I hold close, but it’s not an easy path. In this field, you have to be prepared for a high rate of unsuccessful attempts—probably 70% or more. Resilience is what keeps you going, helping you persist through setbacks and unexpected challenges.
For those starting out, my advice is to focus on building this resilience. Find a deeper purpose or core value in your work—something that will keep you grounded and motivated when things get tough. View setbacks not as failures, but as essential steps forward. Embracing this mindset early on will empower you to pursue what truly matters to you, even in an industry that often defines success in terms of profits.

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

One book that has profoundly shaped my outlook is The Plague by Albert Camus. It’s a powerful exploration of resilience and purpose—qualities that have been essential in my journey. In the novel, the characters face an overwhelming, seemingly unchangeable reality, yet they choose to act with integrity, doing what’s right despite the futility of their efforts. This message has stayed with me: resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship, but about holding onto your principles and purpose even when the odds are against you. It’s a powerful reminder to keep pursuing what you believe in, no matter how challenging the path may be.