Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Heredia.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Janet. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey is definitely one to write a book about. In the past, I definitely met my share of obstacles leading up to today. I had many visions and ideas as to what I wanted to do with my life but never really have taken the time to really search within myself to see if I was meant to do the things I had set my mind to do. I started off as a web designer and was working and creating websites for a span of about five years. The business began to slow down and I very quickly realized that I was going to have to make a very important decision to end my business. I started working regular office jobs in order to make ends meet and help provide for my family. I did this for another five years until 2017. This was the year that changed my family’s life completely. My husband who worked as a police officer in Miami, Fl went out one Sunday morning for a bike (motorcycle) ride and in what seemed to be a flash, the unthinkable happened. I received a phone call from paramedics urging me to rush to the hospital because my husband had been involved in an accident.
Long story short, my husband suffered a spinal cord injury leaving him paralyzed from the chest down making him a T4 paraplegic. When this happened, everything that we knew changed in a blink of an eye and I had to accept the fact that I would be leaving my job and becoming his 24/7 caregiver. Little did I know, that this was going to be the start of something great for me. With all the downtime I had, I began to assemble and upcycle jewelry. This was therapeutic for me, to say the least. I would wear my handmade pieces out and people began to notice and ask me where they can find these pieces. It was then that I realized that this could be something productive and lucrative for family and myself. So, in 2018 was the birth of Precious Metals by J. It’s going on a year since I started this journey and it’s been by far, the best decision I have ever made.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has, by far, not been an easy road. There’s a big difference in playing around with jewelry findings at home than to make it for retail. For one, when you are starting a business without a job or income things can get very hard. Since my husband was newly injured and I was out of work, that left us with one source of income. My husband’s. Every little piece I made was purchased with every penny I saved in my time working. There were times where I wanted to quit because of the lack of money to produce. One thing I learned from this was to be patient. to manifest and to pray. Staying positive was a challenge but a must. I thank all the self-help books and motivational speakers I listened to for teaching me to maintain persistent in my goals and to take things one day and one thing at a time.
Please tell us about Precious Metals by J.
Generally, I make what I like to call ‘feel good jewelry.” The pieces I create help balance your aura, make you feel positive while still keeping it dainty and classy. So, we look at your typical bohemian inspired jewelry and for the most part, you will find crystals wired onto necklaces and mala beads with charms attached to them. Not everyone wears this type of jewelry. I wanted to create the same vibe but with a dainty feel. My jewelry has meaning. be it spiritual, or superstitious. There is something for everyone. I hardwire and make everything in my shop and just as delicate as my pieces are to make, so is the packaging I send them in.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memories always fall back to a lazy Sunday morning with my dad watching Tom & Jerry and Ren & Stimpy having ice cream in bed. I miss my dad… RIP.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.preciousmetalsbyj.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @preciousmetalsbyj
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