Story & Lesson Highlights with Melissa Panszi Riebe of Westchester and Hudson Valley

Melissa Panszi Riebe shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now I’m wearing two hats – jewelry designer and pop-up shop founder – which basically means I’m working 24/7 (or at least it feels like it!).
My days start before 7 AM, creating new pieces or handling store logistics. Then it’s social media, marketing, press outreach, and prepping to make every person who walks into Make Your Mark[et]NY feel something special. After closing, I’m back home planning tomorrow and following up on connections.
But here’s the thing – every exhausting moment is worth it when I see our underrepresented makers get their spotlight. I’m not just creating a shop; I’m building a platform where incredible creators can shine and customers don’t just shop, but feel truly seen.
My only breaks? The Great British Bake Off, my secret Law and Order: SVU binges, and anything Bravo.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I had two master’s degrees and a solid social work career – but in my late 40s, I did something that surprised everyone, including myself. I left everything comfortable to start making jewelry with my hands, even though I had zero formal training. It felt terrifying and absolutely right at the same time.
Every day still surprises me. When I see someone light up putting on one of my handmade pieces? Pure gold. When I rescue vintage jewelry from ending up in the trash and give it new life? That feels like impact. But here’s what I never expected – starting A D’Zine would lead me to create Make Your Mark[et]NY, a pop-up marketplace showcasing incredible makers who don’t usually get featured.
What I didn’t realize then was that I wasn’t actually leaving social work behind – I was expanding it. The same values that drove my social work career – advocacy, community, representation, understanding, listening – became the pillars of both my businesses. Now, three months a year, our pop-up has become a beloved community tradition where people say they feel the positive energy the moment they walk in.
That’s when I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be – creating spaces where underrepresented creators can shine and communities can connect over beautiful, meaningful work.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I felt like I couldn’t be my authentic self. I couldn’t be proud of my background, especially being part Latine. I thought I needed to conform to be accepted and get ahead.
As an adult, I now know this couldn’t be further from the truth. Those who want me to hide or stay quiet aren’t the people I need in my community. By being authentic about who I am, I’m not just personally happier – I’m able to bring out others who may have felt the way I did as a child.
Hiding may have been more comfortable because it avoided conflict, but it was soul crushing.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering feels like such a harsh word, but I’d say dealing with challenges taught me how to pivot. In the moment when something goes wrong, it absolutely feels like suffering. But when I’m able to reflect, I see it was exactly what needed to happen – to move forward, let go of what was holding me back, or heal something that needed forgiveness.
Sometimes I think, “If only I’d become a jewelry maker and founded my pop-up sooner.” But it wouldn’t have formed the way it is now without my full story. I needed that social work background, that life experience.
I also had a devastating experience in my second year that I thought would end everything. But I grieved, regrouped, and came up with a new plan. Now Make Your Mark[et]NY is bigger and better than ever.
Success never taught me that kind of resilience. It never showed me that the “wrong” timing might actually be perfect timing.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies is “retail is dead.” Retail isn’t dead – it’s in a rebirth phase. The retail that survives won’t just focus on profit margins (though those matter), but on experience. How does someone feel when they walk in? What can’t they get online?
If a consumer’s priority is fast, cheap, and disconnected, then online wins every time. In-person retail can’t compete with that.
But here’s what online can’t provide: genuine human connection. The ability to really listen. The beauty of all five senses being activated when you walk into a space. When someone comes to my store, I remember our past conversations. I ask about their life. That connection is irreplaceable.
This kind of value – prioritizing experience and connection over speed and convenience – won’t let retail die. It’s what makes it essential.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
This question reminds me of the song “Something Better” by Golford: “Isn’t it something, you got what you wanted. Then all of a sudden you looking for something better.”
But when this happens, it isn’t that you’re not happy with what you have – it’s a sign that you’re growing and your dreams are expanding.
If someone told me 10 years ago that I could make a living creating jewelry, be sought after by designers, AND create a store that makes both me and my customers happy – a place where makers who never imagined being in retail are now thriving – I would have thought they were crazy.
So when I find myself dreaming bigger now? It’s not dissatisfaction. It’s proof that I’m still growing, still believing in what’s possible.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Jessie Spellman-Mignone
Luis Antonio Ruiz
Doug Schneider

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