I wanted to share a little glimpse into my journey and why I started offering permanent jewelry. Maybe you'll find some similarities with your own story.
I've been designing and making jewelry since 2014. It started as a side hustle while I was working full-time in marketing. Fast forward two years, I had my first baby, and I couldn't bear the thought of dropping her off at daycare while I went to work for someone else. So, I took a leap of faith and quit my job to chase this dream. Being my own boss meant freedom for myself and a schedule that I could work around my family life not the other way around.
I honestly never set out to have a jewelry line. It was something I kind of fell into. I made pieces for myself, and soon my coworkers noticed and wanted some too. Before I knew it, I was selling a good amount of jewelry right from my small office. I thought, If I can sell this much here, I wonder what would happen if I opened an Etsy shop? So I did.
I also reached out to a handful of boutiques to see if they’d carry my line. Most said "no," or didn’t respond at all—which is basically a "no." But eventually, I got one "yes" from a really successful store that’s still around today. That one "yes" changed everything.
Seeing my pieces displayed in that beautiful store was amazing—it was the launchpad I never saw coming. Not long after, a brand rep visiting that store fell in love with my line and wanted to represent it. (Back then, I’d originally named my line Coral and Quartz—thankfully, I changed it to Alexandra Gioia, which is my first and middle name.) She ended up getting my jewelry into stores from North Carolina down to Florida. 
Circa 2015 - Trunk Show at Pure Barre
Of course, there have been plenty of hits and misses along the way. Which brings me to why I started offering permanent jewelry. A few years ago, I noticed some of the jewelry brands I admire were offering permanent jewelry, and it looked like so much fun. I’d had my studio for several years by then but I wasn’t sure if people in our area would be into it since no one else was offering it in Jupiter, FL.
I talked to my husband about it, and he wasn’t convinced—he thought it was just a short-lived trend. But I decided to trust my gut, and I’m so glad I did. It’s been the best investment I’ve made in my business. Was the initial investment costly? Yes. Can you make it back quickly? Absolutely. Does it take hard work? You bet!
What I love most about offering permanent jewelry is the incredible stories my clients share. Some come in because they love a dainty piece they never have to take off. Others come in for deeply meaningful reasons—like a birthstone to represent an angel baby they miscarried, matching Mama and Me bracelets before a daughter goes off to college, or a special piece to celebrate an anniversary. Those moments are what make this industry so fulfilling.
Being able to offer a service that holds so much meaning for people is the best part of what I do all while being able to build my business around family time. And that, my friends, is why I love this business so much.
If you're considering starting a permanent jewelry business be sure to check out our Starter Kits that come with everything you need to get up and running.