Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eliana. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Eliana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

When I first dreamed of starting my own jewelry business, I was completely consumed by excitement and possibility. I spent years building the skills and resources I needed to bring that dream to life.

But then reality hit hard. In 2020, I lost my father, our home, our business and the pandemic shook the world. My creative work was put on pause to focus on survival. I took jobs that drained my energy and set aside projects I loved because I couldn’t afford to fund them. Those moments were heartbreaking. It felt like the dream was slipping away but I knew I owed it to myself to pick myself up and heal from the grief.

What got me through was a deep sense of purpose. I reminded myself why I started and why jewelry matters to me as a form of storytelling and healing. Even when progress was slow, I found small ways to keep creating, keep learning and keep my vision alive.

Looking back those setbacks helped me build a deeper resilience and appreciation for every step forward. I realized the setback weren’t derailing my path, they were shaping it.

Eliana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Im a Gemologist and Jewelry Artist based in New York City. I’ve been designing custom jewelry and engagement rings since 2012, but my love for this craft began long before that. My father ran a small manufacturing and jewelry production workshop in NYC’s diamond district. I’d visit him after school and help him out as much as I could. If he were here, he’d joke that I use to fall asleep on the job, and while I can’t disagree I grew up watching him create something from nothing. It was magical.

Jewelry, for me is more than adornment. It’s a form of storytelling, healing and personal empowerment. Years later, I earned a scholarship to study Gemology at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which deepened my expertise and my love for diamonds and gemstones.

I’m the founder of Carela, a jewelry brand rooted in personal expression and emotional connection. I specialize in creating custom, one-of-a-kind pieces that carry meaning, whether its a memory, a transformation, or a tribute to someone or something special. I take great pride in helping clients feel seen and celebrated through their jewelry.

What sets my work apart is the intention I bring to every design. From sourcing meaningful stones to capturing stories in metal and form. I want people to know that jewelry can be powerful and deeply personal. Its not just about how it looks, it’s about how it makes you feel.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

There was a time I thought I might have to give up on my dream completely. I went from freelance and not knowing when money was coming in, to a jewelry job that promised me everything. Growth, stability, and mentorship. I believed it. I gave it my all, hoping it would support me even though I had to put my jewelry business on pause. But that promise turned out to be empty. I was abruptly fired, with no warning and no safety net. Suddenly, I was behind on rent and facing eviction from my apartment.

That moment shook me deeply. It wasn’t just a financial hit, it hit my sense of identity and belonging. I started questioning everything. Was I really meant to be in this business? Was I talented enough? Resilient enough? Did I even belong in this industry at all?

The highs and lows of my circumstances affected my mental health in ways i wasn’t prepared for. I felt like I had failed. Not just myself but the dream I had worked uso hard to keep alive.

I was tired going through painful experiences, but somewhere in that darkness, I made a decision to keep going. It felt like it was all or nothing. Then I remembered why I started, and I went back to the the memory of a little girl who grew up watching her father make magic.

After everything I’ve gone through, I didn’t want my experience to break me. It reminded me that I’m not here by accident. No matter how many times I have to start over, I belong here and I’m just getting started

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was allowing my insecurity and past experiences to dictate where I was headed.

For a long time, I carried the weight of everything I had been through. Grief, survival, loss. I let it shape how I saw myself and my work. Watching people around me progress, build their careers, and seem so sure of themselves while i was just trying to stay afloat made me feel like I was constantly behind. It made me question the value of what I was creating. I started believing that nothing I made was ever good enough.

That mindset chipped away at my confidence and made it hard to show up fully in my business. I would hold back, second-guess my designs, and minimize my own voice out of fear that I didn’t measure up.

But over time, I realized I couldn’t let where I had been define where I was going. My journey may have looked different, but that didn’t make it any less valid. If anything, it made my perspective richer, more grounded, and more human. I had to learn how to trust myself again and to believe that what I create from a place of honesty and heart is always enough.

So what did I do different? I stopped treating my business just like a business and started reconnecting with it as a form of expression and art. Instead of letting my trauma hold me back, I began using it as a tool to create.

Unlearning the idea that grief and trauma can root against you is still a process, but it has been one of the most healing parts of my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carelanyc.com
• Instagram: carelanyc