Lisa Smith
Founder of Lisa Smith Jewels
Sometimes people assume that there is someone “behind” your business, whether investor, husband or silent partner. The reality is a lot of us have worked really hard over a sustained period of time, often by ourselves until our businesses really grew.
Meet Lisa.
Inspired by Italian roots and an upbringing full of spirited women adorned in gold, Lisa Smith learned about the power of embellishment and self-expression early in life. After years as a fashion consultant and retail store owner, Lisa turned her love for stone sourcing and jewelry design into her bespoke jewelry line. From her Santa Barbara based studio, Lisa designs necklaces, chains, rings, bracelets, and earrings made of 14 and 18 karat gold and 24 karat plated gold accented with gemstones and natural elements like shells, coral, and abalone with both natural and lab grown diamonds.
What inspired you to start your company?
Finding myself 10 years out of the workforce and a single mom with three small boys to raise is when it started. I wasn’t willing to have a daycare raise my boys. I wanted to pick them up from school and be there for homework, sports and family dinners. So I needed a job that would be flexible but also bring an income. I wasn’t afraid to fail, my responsibility was to my children. My forever passion was designing and making jewelry. So I took the leap.
Can you share a significant challenge or obstacle you've faced in the industry and how you overcame it?
Covid brought enormous challenges for my business, disrupting it seemingly overnight. But I rebuilt one day at a time. I refused to give up and now thankfully my business is flourishing and in new avenues I could not have foreseen before the pandemic. In some ways, that struggle forced me to look at my business with fresh eyes and branch out in new directions.
Who are your role models or mentors in the industry? How have they influenced your career?
Pippa Small. She is brilliant and talented with a colorful and ethical jewelry practice. She creates talismans for modern life. I also admire how she brings work to third-world countries, engaging craftspeople from around the world. She inspires me like no one else, not only for what she creates but also how she creates.
What advice would you give to your younger self or to our younger generations who are looking to break into the industry?
Persevere. Don’t accept no (it’s often just “not right now”). And stay true to your vision. Breaking into fashion and jewelry is daunting, especially if you’re building from the ground up and without a lot of capital. It takes time to be seen and build a clientele. But there’s no substitute for hard work and staying true to your inner creative voice. It won’t steer you wrong.
Fashion is often seen as a female-driven industry, yet leadership roles are still male-dominated. How has your experience been as a woman in a leadership position, and what changes would you like to see?
Like women in all industries, there are additional hurdles. Often the trajectory of a woman’s career is different than a man’s because we’ve taken time away to have or rear children. It might add to the challenges of successfully applying for a business loan for example. I think having easy access to more resources, like support groups for small business entrepreneurs would be fantastic. Having access to mentors to ask questions about the business sides of a creative venture would have been very helpful when I was building my business.
Many women in business face the challenge of balancing personal and professional life. How have you managed to navigate this balance as a female entrepreneur?
I think balancing personal and professional life is a challenge for every woman. It’s not easy and I’m not sure I have it down, even now (laughs). But we do the best that we can. Sometimes, for a few weeks or a month, I might feel like everything is in balance, then something — a big show, launch of a new line or large sale — upsets thay harmony, Then you re-balance. It’s a nearly constant effort of being mindful of what’s right for you and trying to maintain that.
Have you experienced any biases or stereotypes as a woman in your industry, and how have those experiences shaped the way you lead and run your business?
Honestly, I feel fortunate that I haven’t run into very many situations where I felt the sting of biases and stereotypes. I try to be careful about the people that I work with and select vendors and partners with integrity and who share my values. I find that helps and makes every aspect of business run more smoothly.
What’s a misconception people have about being a female founder that you’d like to address?
Sometimes people assume that there is someone “behind” your business, whether investor, husband or silent partner. The reality is a lot of us have worked really hard over a sustained period of time, often by ourselves until our businesses really grew.
What strategies do you use to maintain your personal identity outside of your role as a business leader?
My loved ones — family and friends — are important to me and they feed my soul. So I make sure to nurture those relationships. Spending time in nature with time at the beach or hike feeds my soul in a different way and grounds me. It’s also been a constant source of inspiration for my jewelry design. Shells, precious and semi-precious stones and metals. There is a special symbiosis to that. Meditation and a practice is a must.
What’s an unconventional or unexpected resource that has been pivotal in your entrepreneurial journey?
Intuition. I have to trust my intuition each and every day, whether it’s making business decisions, designing a piece, or instinctively knowing what jewelry will make the woman standing in front of me feel confident, inspired and beautiful.
How do you measure success for yourself outside of traditional metrics like revenue or growth?
Happy clients. Seeing a woman’s face light up when I layer gold chains and pendants on her in a way that’s unexpected or she never would have tried always brings me joy. When I see that spark of confidence, I can’t describe how it makes me feel - elation maybe. That feeling, way more than revenue and growth metrics, keeps me going and designing. I want women to feel alive and empowered. It is my greatest goal.
We believe in sharing the love. Tell us about other brands you are loving right now!
I love everything in Boca, a retail store in Pacific Palisades. I love how the owner Denise lovingly curates her collection of clothing and accessories. She and her team prove that good style doesn’t have to cost a lot. And it just has the best energy!
