Conversations with Elizabeth Buenaventura

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Buenaventura.

The true story begins with MY Dream! I was born in Connecticut, USA and raised in Santiago de Chile. I had lived in NYC for the past 11 years until moving to Miami, Florida recently.

I think I’ve always been a jewelry designer and entrepreneur at heart. When I was a little girl, probably around 3-5 years old, I would collect interesting rocks and objects that sparkled.  I would go to gemstone museums and shows, had a rock collection and a special drawer full of “documents” (little pieces of paper and receipts I had collected). No one would dare touch my documents. These were MY business transactions.

During my teenage years I was always doing something creative like painting, drawing, making bead or string bracelets and taking all types of artistic courses.

After graduating high school I studied Art, Medicine, Business, and did a Master’s in Consumers’ Behavior.  While studying in Business School I felt the need to do something more creative. I researched and enrolled in a jewelry course. Since I had always been curious about the process of jewelry making, the way metals fused together and how the miniature sculptures were made it was a perfect creative outlet for me.  As soon as I finished my first class I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. There was nothing that made me happier.  I made up my mind that I wanted to become a jewelry designer in New York City!  Why NYC?  Because in Chile I would have been a “jewelry maker” and I would have never been able to grow and explore the way I wanted to.

As soon as I finished my Masters Program I bought a one-way ticket (with miles) and moved to NYC with a suitcase and a dream! Everyone around me thought I was crazy. I had the most “stable” and traditional career possibilities.  I probably could have gotten a good job straight out of college and been very successful, but not happy.

Moving to NYC was challenging. It’s not as glamorous as it looks in the movies. I was looking for a job as a jewelry designer, but I didn’t even know how to open Photoshop or Illustrator. I applied to hundreds of jobs in the design industry and got turned down time after time. In the meantime I supported myself by working as a translator, a waitress, a nanny, any and all types of odd jobs. My Dad would say to me “Elizabeth, please look for a REAL job. You’re a smart girl. Enough with this jewelry designer nonsense ”.

This was one of the things that hurt me the most because I admired my Dad and I didn’t want to disappoint him. But I KNEW I had to continue my own path and follow my dream.

While looking for an apartment, a job, and a couch on Craigslist. I went to a woman’s apartment on the Upper West Side to buy her couch. She asked me: “What do you do?”. I told her I was a jewelry designer. She said: “Well, I’m the owner of 2 jewelry companies, send me your resume.” This was my first step into the jewelry industry in NYC.  She agreed to manufacture my sterling silver line and I also worked as her Production Assistant.  I ran around 47th street to manufacture jewelry and learn all the ins and outs about fine jewelry in NYC which was very different from what I had learned in Chile.  I made valuable connections which I still have till this day. (Also during this time I was entered in a jewelry design contest and I was recognized as one of the up-and-coming young designers. This gave my parents confidence and some peace of mind that I made the right decision.)

After a year of working at that position I realized there was not much more advancement and growth. I started looking for another job. I applied for a job as a DESIGN MANAGER. (Meanwhile, I had never been a designer). They called me back for a 2nd interview. I had been given an assignment to create a collection of 30 pieces based on a cutout from a magazine. I asked if I could hand draw because I didn’t know how to use any computer design programs. Nonstop for 4 days straight I created the collection. Again they called me in for an interview and told me they had hired someone else with 10 years of experience (I had ZERO), however they offered me a new position as a Jewelry Designer because they said I had a “raw talent”. I accepted and worked there for a few years.

By 2015 I was working full-time, freelancing, and working on my own business during nights and weekends. I had enough savings to quit my full-time job and put all my efforts into my own company, “Elizabeth Buenaventura Fine Jewelry”.

The journey of life is never a smooth road. Life is about ups and downs-what makes us appreciate good times and achievements and learn from the difficult ones.

Moving to NYC by myself with no contacts, no networking, no experience, and NO JOB was definitely challenging. It’s not an easy city to start out in, but I had passion, a vision and was very determined!  I went against the odds with a positive attitude and MY dream intact. Everyone thought I was crazy.

I wasn’t a trained Jewelry Designer, so I taught myself through Lynda.com how to use design programs. I’d stay up late after work to learn what I had to in order to do my full-time job better and sharpen my knowledge and skills. Quitting your job and saying “goodbye” to a stable income is never easy. It’s very scary. However, it has been the most rewarding thing I’ve done. I learned to trust my “gut instincts”, build valuable relationships with people in the industry, with clients and take care of myself along the way.

Before the pandemic I traveled 6 months out of the year doing Trunk Shows on cruises ships and on land.  (80% of my sales were wholesale at this time) Once we were in lockdown, I had to pivot. I started doing virtual Trunk Shows via Instagram with the inventory I had available. I sent probably 200 handwritten postcards to my best clients asking them how they were doing during Covid. Keeping my contact with my clients and the “personal touch” has been a key to networking and created many friendships as well. People got back to me, we connected and I actually sold jewelry though that was not expected! Currently my business is primarily Retail.

Now Miami!  Another dream, another challenge, another adventure! I had always seen myself living in Florida, a place I visited with my family often. Less than a year ago I chose to “start over”. The last week of February, 2022, I was packing again leaving NYC to move to Miami. Meeting new people, networking, looking for new selling channels, switching logistics, finding new exciting challenges that’s for me!  All new encounters and experiences make it worth it in the end. I wake up every morning at 5:45 am with a smile on my face being grateful to be able to do what makes me happiest. I still have my manufacturing in NYC and go about every 6 weeks or so, it’s part of the journey.  I love what I do!

I like to call my creations Modern Amulets. Inspired by life’s journeys,nature, travel, celebrations and symbolism. Elizabeth Buenaventura Fine Jewelry intends to celebrate and empower. We encourage our customers to create their own stories by layering, stacking, mixing and matching. They can interchange different pieces to create a mood with jewelry.

My fine jewelry line is handmade in NY from 14 kt gold, precious, semi-precious stones, and pearls. Currently my personal journey is one of tranquility and contentment, gratitude and stability.  This brings Healing Beads lots of powerful colored stones, meaningful charms and interchangeable jewelry to the current collection.

Being spontaneous, determined, positive and always giving back.

I get crazy ideas and just go with the flow. Like buying a one-way ticket to NY and deciding to become a jewelry designer, pivoting my business model during the pandemic by doing Virtual Shows, visiting a friend in Miami for a week last year and deciding to move and things like this. I’m always in motion. There are thousands of examples. As soon as I think there’s a good idea, I just go with it. I don’t really think it through that much. The consequences or the challenges? That’s a “back to your gut” kinda thing. When people question me, look at me like I’m out of my mind (which they always do), my answer is “I’ll figure it out”. And I usually do! There’s always a creative solution to every problem. It just depends from which angle you look at it.

I am extremely determined and very passionate about what I do and will work hard to achieve anything that I set my mind to. I’m a very positive person and try to see the glass half full. Life isn’t perfect. We all have problems, bad days and hardships, but it’s a matter of perspective on how we overcome these challenges that make us stronger and wiser. Having a positive mindset has helped me in a personal and a business way. I was blessed to have two very strong progressive Grandmothers who taught me nothing was unobtainable if you were willing to give it your best efforts and lend a helping hand along the way.

I’m a big believer in giving back. I work with many charities in Chile, where I grew up and still visit and in the USA. Most of them are related to children in need, so they can live a better life and also live their dream. I’m always looking for new charities (usually smaller ones because they have less resources) to partner with/donate to. I believe in the “pebble effect” . One small pebble in the water can create a big wave.

Maybe I’m the ultimate dreamer…maybe I just have rocks in my head!  BUT If you see me on a random day, most probably I’ll be smiling or laughing and walking a bit too fast. Many times, people ask me “why are you always smiling? Where are you running to?”

“I’m excited about the next adventure ahead of course” I’ll reply!