Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Di Paolo

Hi Andrea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

My story has somewhat been rewritten in the last few months. I have totally changed the trajectory of my life and my business. When I was 18 years old, I started in the jewelry industry working with fine jewelry. I struggled with the concept that styles were limited and often repetitive. I left the industry at 23 years old (or so I thought I was leaving it), but somehow the tools never left my hands. It was a calling, if you will. The “phone” kept ringing. By 2016, I had the name Quartz & Canary in hand, ready to become the next custom jewelry company.
Amidst my hotel career which was accelerating quickly, I opened the business in 2017 and ran it part-time. I bootstrapped the company out of my parents garage in Toronto. I poured as much love and attention into what would be our signature Connected Bracelet. This piece has 5 metal options and 24 different gems, boasting a total of 140 variations. This piece would become what we are known for, lovingly hand-made to be specifically fitted to your wrist.

In 2020, I lost my hospitality job through the pandemic – a job that was considered a dream for most. At 32, I had somewhat managed to get a position as a director of a city, making six figures, with the potential of uncapped revenue generation. This was a self-starters dream. Yet, in one foul swoop, it was all gone.
I remembered hearing a voice in my head say, “now it’s your time to shine” (no pun intended). I proceeded to never look back and eventually grew Quartz & Canary (Q&C) into a semi-jewelry brand that was warranting attention from media outlets and Toronto’s fashion circuit. Throughout the last four years, I have experienced great loss. From the loss of my job, the loss of my loved ones, to even a failed engagement, I managed to continually grow the company during a time of great emotional distraction. During this time of loss, I realized we had somehow lost our way. I began rebranding the company in October of 2023, and we are continuing this process today.

My love for wellness-based jewelry is never going to go away, but it has certainly become commonplace as major brands alike have jumped on the “spiritual bandwagon”. I also have remembered my WHY and my ROOTS. Once the two met, I knew exactly where we were going to go with this. A semi-fine jewelry company with quality and customizable options with the essence of wellness in mind. We are going to continue our small batch curation and unique, heart-felt options that connect with the customer. Exciting projects for the rebrand are in our midst. I can’t wait to show everyone the new face of Q&C.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Nothing in business is ever smooth. It is one of the wildest rides you will ever go on. Most businesses do not realize that the strength of the organization is resting on the strength of the leader. Without question, the last four years have forced us to grow, shift, and re-evaluate absolutely everything. A fun fact that many are unaware of, is when I was working the “dream job” my time and energy was solely going to that. When I lost my job at the start of the pandemic, I was left with almost nothing to keep Q&C going. I had resourcefulness and my ability to sell to turn a dismal situation around.

Never underestimate your ability to dig deep. To quote Mark Cuban, “your only goal is to STAY in business.” If you can learn how to sell passively and actively, your business will absolutely stand a chance against the trials and tribulations that it may face throughout the years. The second thing I would offer is that it is your job to recognize when something isn’t quite working. It may not feel smooth, but the fact that you are recognizing this is huge.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

We are now specializing in small batch jewelry and specifically custom pieces. We bring a lot of LOVE to the table. We want to be an active part in the love stories of many. Engagement rings, wedding bands and bridal jewelry are what we have since pivoted to and are known for.
One of our strong suits is taking utilitarian pieces and absolutely putting a spin on them! Creating something unique is what we have heard from each client:
“Your designs are incredibly unique”.

“You set yourself apart from what is currently in the industry.”
I am most proud of the relationships we’ve developed over the course of our journey. We have exceptionally loyal “Canaries” that love what we do. I have also learned that I am absolutely in love with process. From drawing, to the casting phase, to the final moment it comes out of production – I get a rush. The last part, and most important part, of seeing a client smile from ear to ear is something I love. It is absolutely magical.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?

It is without question Covid has brought so many valuable lessons to the table. Firstly, this is not about consumerism. It is about building connections! Being able to connect with a client and find the right piece for them that will transcend time and space is the gift. We spent time getting to know each person, contacting them directly, and understanding who they are. Having a “virtual gap” between us and the client allowed us to find ways to make this interaction like you were walking into a jewelry store. There was no shortage of love offered, especially in deep times of need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://quartzandcanary.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quartzandcanary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quartzandcanary
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@quartzandcanary?lang=en

Image Credits
https://jessicapannozzophotography.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/jessicapannozzophotography/?hl=en