Meet Michelle Minott

We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Minott recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Challenging the idea that I don’t deserve my success is an active practice. For me, that means constantly reminding myself of how I got here. My raw talent has been molded by years of study, lessons learned on the job and my lived experience. I spent the first 20 years of my design career climbing the corporate ladder in mass market fashion. In the early years, each promotion came with fears that I didn’t belong, that I wasn’t enough. But every time imposter syndrome crept in, I reminded myself that my skill, my perspective and my presence earned me that space. I am enough.

“Enough” has always been a big word to me. Reclaiming it as a positive mantra instead of a limitation has been key! Many people, especially Black women, share this lived experience. That’s why I made it a key pillar of my company. Everything- my products, social media, website, events and even my packaging carries this message: You belong here. You deserve your dreams. You are enough.

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 spent the first 20 years of my career in corporate mass-market fashion, where I often found it challenging to navigate the space as a Black woman. As I climbed the ladder, I became even more aware of how absent I was from the luxury market—not just as a designer, but as a customer. I was tired of the conditioning that made me feel self-conscious in luxury spaces and guilty for spending money on myself.

Since my first bonus as an assistant designer, I searched high and low for one particular piece—a pair of real rose gold bamboo earrings. I wanted them to be light and effortless, something I could wear every day. I never found them. That longing stayed with me, and eventually, I realized I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t the only one craving high-quality, luxury jewelry that reflected my experience. That’s when Michelle Minott Fine Jewelry was born.

Jewelry has been a lifelong love. As a kid growing up in the Bronx, I collected stones to polish and played dress-up with my grandmother’s jewelry box. I was constantly inspired by the women in my building—the way they moved, the way they styled themselves. My designs are deeply influenced by the rich mix of Black fashion across the decades, blended with the cultural impact of hip-hop, pop and street style from the ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s.

My fine jewelry line is a tribute to that legacy. I create one of a kind healing heirlooms—pieces that honor our culture’s past, present, and future with a luxury twist. These are jewels to love for a lifetime, pass down, and carry forward. In addition to my core collection of ready-to-ship and made-to-order styles, I work one-on-one with clients to intuitively design custom jewelry that supports chakra balance and metaphysical needs. Every Michelle Minott piece is crafted in 14K gold with consciously mined natural gemstones, made by myself and gifted local artisans who are paid fair wages.

Because these pieces are meant to last, I encourage the MM wearer to create rituals around their care. As a Reiki Master, I charge every piece in a crystal grid and infuse it with Reiki, raising its vibration and life force. The invitation is always there to continue setting your own intentions every time you wear it.

The energy I pour into my work is the foundation of my brand. The mantras I set in every piece are simple but powerful: You belong here. You are worthy of luxury. You are loved.

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?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are intuition, resilience, and craftsmanship.

Intuition – Trusting my gut has been essential. From knowing when to walk away from spaces that didn’t serve me to recognizing the right moment to start my own brand, intuition has been my guide. I’ve learned that the best decisions don’t always come from logic alone — sometimes they come from a deep inner knowing. Not everyone will understand your vision and that’s okay. You don’t need outward validation to move forward. There wasn’t a clear blueprint for me to follow when I launched my business—no road map that showed exactly how to build a luxury fine jewelry brand rooted in cultural storytelling and spiritual connection. But I believed in what I was creating and I stayed focused on my path, even when there were doubts (mine or other people’s). Trust yourself, even without a blueprint — silence the noise, follow your instincts and keep moving forward.

Resilience – The journey hasn’t been easy, and that’s true for anyone building something meaningful. I’ve faced rejection, self-doubt and moments where I questioned everything. But I kept going. I kept creating. I kept learning. Not every idea works and sometimes the timing isn’t right — or I simply didn’t have the expertise yet to bring it to life. I’ve learned not to get stuck or dwell on what didn’t pan out. Resilience isn’t about forcing things; it’s about staying open, adapting and finding ways to keep moving forward—even if it’s just one step at a time. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary.

Craftsmanship – I didn’t just want to make jewelry; I wanted to make heirlooms—pieces that last beyond a lifetime. Understanding materials, techniques and jewelry making history has been essential. I took the same approach back when I designed clothing: always learning from the talented technicians around me. My hunger for knowledge fuels my creativity, pushing me to refine my skills constantly. Hone your craft relentlessly. Take classes, study the greats, and never stop being a student—every skill you sharpen adds depth to your work.

At the end of the day, trust yourself, stay the course, and pour your heart into what you create—because that’s what makes it last.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

The ideal client for Michelle Minott is a luxury-loving Black woman or femme who embraces their full self—unapologetically. MM is for the girls, gays and theys—those who are deeply driven by the need for freedom: freedom to express themselves, to move through the world on their own terms and to invest in what brings them joy, including beautiful, high-quality jewelry that reflects their lived experience.

They value intentionality and craftsmanship, seeking out pieces that are more than just accessories but symbols of their journey, power and lineage. They aren’t afraid to stand out, take up space and honor their desires—whether that means adorning themselves in heirloom-worthy jewels or commissioning a custom piece that aligns with their energy and spiritual path.

They see luxury as their birthright, not something they have to justify. Whether adding to their collection of fine jewelry, marking a personal milestone, or passing down something meaningful to the next generation, they choose pieces that hold weight—emotionally, spiritually, and stylistically. They’re not just collectors; they’re curators of legacy.
When they shop, they do so with intention. They aren’t impulse buyers—they are drawn to pieces that resonate deeply, that feel like they were made just for them. They appreciate the personal connection and spiritual energy infused in each Michelle Minott piece, knowing that jewelry is more than adornment; it’s a talisman, a story, a piece of history. They seek a brand that reflects their values, honors their culture and affirms that they are worthy of luxury—always.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

personal photo, brand photos 4, 6 &8: Cécile Boko Photography (@bokocecile)

brand photos 1,2,3,5,7: Mia Kayser Photography (@miakayserphoto)

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move