Entrepreneurial Bling (Win!)

As the “gig” economy continues to grow, young entrepreneurs are playing a larger role these days in the business landscape and more millennials are becoming their own boss in hopes of creating a life and career that aligns with their passions. Case in point: Montreal native and millennial business owner Sarah Simard of SarahBijoux. Following a training course at l’École de Joaillerie de Montréal as a sideline to her studies in communications, Sarah learned how to craft handmade jewelry and quickly discovered her passion for the craft. And, bonus, she’s about to open SarahBijoux’s first-ever brick-and-mortar store! We chatted with Sarah to learn more. —Vita Daily

Hi Sarah! Tell us about yourself.

Hi! I am a 27 year old entrepreneur that loves fashion, travelling and good food. I adored jewelry before ever considering becoming a jeweler. SarahBijoux began as a side job during my studies in international relations and communications, and has of course now blossomed into my full time job. 

When and why did you launch SarahBijoux? What niche were/are you aiming to fill?

I launched SarahBijoux in August 2018 after having a lot of interest from family and friends to buy the jewelry that I was making for fun. What started out as a passion ended up being a real business opportunity. My greatest desire when I launched SarahBijoux was to offer local, handmade, and classic jewelry at a fair price. At the time, I was 23 years old, and most of my friends were buying inexpensive and lower quality jewelry, so I wanted to offer an accessible option to anyone wanting to buy good quality jewelry. Today, I still aim to provide timeless, locally handmade and fair priced jewelry. 

What products do you currently offer, and what makes them unique?

My jewelry has that timeless, unisex, high-quality look. I tend to create designs that are bold but also super easy to wear on an everyday basis. I find that so many classic designs are not always made by hand, artists creating by hand often go for more complex and unique pieces. I wanted to go in the opposite direction and offer trendy and simple designs made by hand. It is also really important for jewelry to fit perfectly, which is why SarahBijoux offers a wide range of sizes, so everyone can find the perfect fit. 

You’re about to open SarahBijoux’s first-ever brick-and-mortar store; what does that mean for your business?

Even though I’ve known for a while that SarahBijoux was my future, this physical space that will now exist, not only for me, but for the public, strengthens my roots within Montreal. This store will allow me to connect a lot more with my clients and reach a lot of new people as well. It will be a major milestone in the establishment of my brand as a local business and it will help me grow and reach my business goals of conquering the Canadian market.

Any tips for succeeding and thriving in today’s jewelry industry and challenging economy?

The competition is fierce in the jewelry business, so work hard, stay aware of what people want, and channel all your passion into your art and business – just go for it! 

As a jewelry pro, what top trends are you seeing for summer 2023?

Pearls, pearls, pearls. They are everywhere, worn by everyone. They are the perfect addition to any look, I’m obsessed! 

sarahbijoux.ca

Win! A $265 SarahBijoux Prize Pack!

Congrats Kim L. of Montreal, QC, who will receive a $265 SarahBijoux Prize Pack, including the DUO II and the Hidden Pearl Hoops! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.