We recently had the chance to connect with Elizabeth Buenaventura and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Elizabeth, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m an early riser, usually up between 5 and 6 am. My favorite way to start the day is by watching the sunrise. It instantly sets the tone for me. The first thing I do is drink a big glass of water and put on my workout clothes. That little ritual puts me in the mindset that I have to move my body at some point in the morning. Then I’ll meditate, either still cozy in bed or out on my terrace if the weather’s nice. Most mornings I also spend a little time journaling, updating my to-do list, and checking in on last week’s notes to keep everything fresh. Sometimes I’ll read a little as well.
From there, I’ll either head to the gym, go for a run, or practice yoga. I definitely need my coffee before getting into a workout. Ideally, I try to wait at least an hour after waking up before having caffeine, but I’ll be honest, that doesn’t always happen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the founder of a fine jewelry brand built around what I call “Modern Amulets.” My pieces are inspired by nature, travel, symbolism, and life’s journeys. For me, jewelry isn’t just adornment. It’s storytelling, it’s connection, and it’s something that lasts across cultures and generations. My mission is simple: to spread happiness through these little treasures.
My path into jewelry wasn’t exactly traditional. I studied art, medicine, business, and even completed a master’s degree in consumer behavior. But everything shifted when I took a jewelry class on the side. The moment I melted my first block of sterling silver, I knew I’d found my passion. Soon after, I packed my bags in Santiago de Chile and bought a one-way ticket to New York to chase my dream.
Fast-forward 10 years, and that dream is still unfolding. This anniversary felt like the perfect time to expand with a new collection: EB Connection: the link that connects us all. In a world that often feels disconnected, these pieces are meant to be little reminders of togetherness and belonging. The collection introduces sterling silver, unisex styles, and mixed metals; making the spirit of Modern Amulets more accessible, while still holding onto the depth and meaning that’s always at the heart of my brand.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful came the moment I discovered my true path. I was in a jewelry course, shaping a block of sterling silver for the very first time, when a wave of clarity washed over me. In that instant, I knew my dream: to become a jewelry designer in New York City, a place I had always been drawn to for its energy, diversity, and intensity.
Even then, my teacher would jokingly say I was “crazy” for wanting to put my own spin on the assignments, however he let me go for it. That combination of clarity and freedom to follow my instincts made me feel unstoppable. From that day on, I knew I had found my calling, and there was no turning back.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Giving up has never really been an option for me. Life is about finding creative solutions to problems. But there have definitely been times when I felt out of resources, powerless, and unsure of what to do next.
One of those moments was when I first moved to New York from Chile. I arrived with just a suitcase and a dream. No connections, no experience in the jewelry industry, and I didn’t even know how to use Photoshop or Illustrator. To survive, I worked every kind of odd job you can imagine: server, nanny, translator, while applying to anything remotely connected to jewelry. After countless rejections, I was still trying to find my footing: looking for an apartment, a job, even just a couch. One day on Craigslist, while trying to buy a couch, the owner asked me what I did for work. Without hesitation I said, “I’m a jewelry designer”, even though at that point all I knew was how to make my own pieces. She asked to see my work and then, unexpectedly, offered me a chance. That became my very first job in the jewelry industry in New York and it opened the doors to the connections I still work with today.
Another difficult time came during the pandemic. At the time, most of my business was wholesale through luxury cruise lines, where I spent about 40% of my time hosting trunk shows. Practically overnight, cruises shut down, payments from past sales were frozen, and my New York production was closed. On top of that, promoting fine jewelry felt frivolous when the world was collapsing. Still, I needed to survive. I got creative: I ran a small Instagram Stories Sale with the little inventory I had on hand, and I wrote over 200 handwritten postcards to clients; not to sell, just to ask how they were doing. It wasn’t meant as a marketing strategy, but as a way to connect with people I truly cared about. Little by little, that mindset helped me shift my business to a direct-to-consumer model.
Those moments, when everything felt impossible, ended up shaping me the most. They taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of staying connected to people.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
’m deeply committed to spreading happiness and inspiring people to see the glass half full. Beyond jewelry, this has always felt like my true mission in life. Jewelry just happens to be the medium I stumbled upon. But honestly, it could have been anything, even ceramics. What matters most to me is creating something that brings people happiness and builds connection.
We live in a world where it’s often easier to criticize, focus on flaws, and lean into negativity. But I believe we’d all live in a much better place if we chose to spread happiness, love, and compassion, and to honor every part of our journey: the good and the not-so-good.
People often ask me, “Why are you always smiling? Why are you so happy?” My answer is simple: Why not? Others say, “I love your energy,” and for me, that’s the best compliment. Whether through jewelry or any other form of tiny treasures, my goal is to expand that positivity, inspire connection, and hopefully make people smile.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as a cheerful soul, someone who made them smile and brought light into their lives. More than anything, I’d love for those who knew me to think of me with joy. I hope to inspire people to be more present, to notice their surroundings, and to truly honor their path. If my story can encourage others to cherish and celebrate the positive things life brings, then I’ve done something meaningful. Ultimately, I hope the community I’ve created continues to grow, a circle of people who support, uplift, and inspire one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elizabethbuenaventura.com
- Instagram: @elizabethbuenaventura @lizbuenaventura
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-buenaventura-74427317
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Elizabeth-Buenaventura/100063548412086/
