I have a fine jewelry design business. I am an independent "boutique" business specializing in modern and custom design for those who want something different from the traditional fare. I work directly with the client and also through galleries to create something special and personalized.

EDUCATION | BA in sociology and business from UCLA; various courses in jewelry-making; gem grading through the GIA

HOW TO GET STARTED | Learning how to make jewelry is an advantage in design. If a young person is considering going to college specifically for this, s/he should realize the schools that teach jewelry design all have their own styles: research those colleges and see which style is right for you. Otherwise, look in your local community and see who teaches jewelry courses. Develop your own style. Be innovative. There's no one right path. Also acquire sales experience, marketing and business skills either through working for someone else or through taking classes. Develop your business and marketing plan.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Passion for what you are doing. You need to be able to market and sell your brand. For that you need to be personable, able to talk about your jewelry and your work; you have to have confidence in your work; you have to inspire trust. As a business owner you devote a lot of time to the business side. So you have to be as creative with the business as you are with your product. If that is not for you then as a designer you also have the option to do design work for another company.

how I got started | I've been attracted to jewelry since I was a child, but I didn't start in the business right off the bat. I worked in the fashion industry, and as a sales representative, and did quite well at it. But I got burned out and took a job working in administration in an AIDS project. I knew being in an administrative position the rest of my life wasn't going to be the job for me. I explored some different possibilities. I started taking classes in jewelry fabrication at UCLA. I really liked working with my hands, the process of working with the metal and wax, and I liked the idea of going into business for myself. It's been a journey of discovery.

why this job?| I love jewelry! I love jewelry design and making people happy- jewelry is a celebration of life's happiest moments. It's gratifying to design something that will be a part of people's lives. It's also an artistic expression of yourself. Learning how to actually fabricate metal and wax carving helped me with the design process. I found I like the three-dimensionally of working with jewelry. I liked the idea of going into business for myself and was inspired by the clothing designers I had worked with in the past who started their own clothing lines.

why I love this job!| It's creative, it's challenging, I am always learning. I meet interesting and creative people all the time. I create a piece of jewelry with which they celebrate/commemorate a special time in their lives.

my typical day| I do spend a lot of time on the internet. On a typical day I might respond to e-mails, keep in touch with and meet with clients, network, get design quotes to potential clients, design jewelry, business development, look into marketing opportunities, follow up with my metal smiths, work on my newsletter and other marketing materials.

what they are | Balancing the design creative side with the business side of sales, marketing and management. Included in that would be managing cash flow, pricing not only the jewelry but estimating my time, and also time management.

all about growth | Jewelry is a luxury item, but people will always want to adorn themselves.

my website| www.claudiaendler.com