We recently connected with Leslie Gregory and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

While training for the 2022 New York City marathon which took seven times entering the lottery before I got in, I was contemplating what I would buy myself to commemorate this momentous occasion. Sadly, nothing existed that was not silicone plated. Nothing that was valuable worthy of my great achievement of finishing a marathon, I made a prototype on Etsy, the. snuck into a jewelry show and found my manufacturer And the rest is history. We launched the day of the New York City Marathon in 2022. We now ship internationally and have clients across the world, crossing finish lines and sharing their stories. Our first sale in a retail store was a daughter in her 40s gifting her mother a bracelet, who is no longer a runner. Once a runner always a runner once a marathoner always a marathoner.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Leslie Gregory, I am 41 years old, born and raised in Hartland, Michigan reborn in New York City. I have been a runner since the age of 19 when a beautiful roommate pulled me out of a traumatic experience by having me follow her feet on my first run. I was hooked ever since.
I worked in corporate fashion in New York City for many years, Heading up buying and planning teams for International companies.

I built TWENTYSIXDIAMOND in the midst of training for the 2022 NYC Marathon at the age of 40 (first and only marathon). As nothing existed in the market, I wanted to create some thing for runners that was worthy of their great accomplishment. Something that was a legacy piece, that would be passed down through generations. Something that was solid gold 14 karat with natural diamonds. Something they could wear every day all day, Training, running, racing, black tie. Something they could be proud of, as proud as they were to finish that marathon.
I believe that forward is a pace and that we should celebrate every finish as it was a win, because it is. Every body, every pace- If you run, you’re a runner.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I have corporate retail and fashion experience in my background, and one thing I’ve learned through 20+ years of the business, if the product doesn’t hold its own, there is no company. My name is on TWENTYSIXDIAMOND, I am the only full-time employee. Every piece that leaves, leaves my actual house and is wrapped and inspected by me.
I also believe that my story is relatable, running a marathon was one of the most profound experiences of my adult life thus far, and it immediately brought me into a community of runners throughout the world that are incredibly inspiring. And I count. My one marathon counts. The 5 miles I ran this morning count. We are all runners, we celebrate each other.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have had many pivots, but one I would like to highlight is a shout out to all young mothers.

My twins were born Two months early and lived in the Nicu for 3 1/2 weeks. I then came home to a very small apartment who tried to relate, but could not, And a career I just left indefinitely to raise them. This was one of the most disheartening, disappointing, and destructive times of my life. The United States does not give enough support to mothers in any capacity and the fact that throughout all of the doctors appointments, no one clocked my postpartum anxiety and depression is beyond me I was apparently in the best hospital in New York City.
I had quit my life and my career to stay home with two very fragile babies, and it did a lot of damage to my mental health. I was 32 when they were born. I then went back to work part time, started another company and then at 40 built TWENTYSIXDIAMOND.
We think of a pivot as an immediate halt turn, But that is not always the case. Your pivot may look a lot different, and might take a lot longer to find your direction. But don’t stop looking for it, Keep your eyes and your mind open. The Compass will right it itself and your North will come.. don’t give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TWENTYSIXDIAMOND.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twentysixdiamond/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieawarren

Image Credits

Brook Road Photography