We recently connected with Chantal Jabbra and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chantal, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Hi there! I’m Chantal, the founder of c’est dahab, a jewelry brand inspired by my Lebanese heritage and my travels. While my background is in civil engineering, my true passion has always been in design—especially jewelry. From a young age, I wasn’t just drawn to jewelry for its beauty, but for its ability to tell stories, evoke emotions, and hold personal significance. But before I dive into how my c’est dahab journey began, I would love to share the inspiration behind my love for jewelry.

I was born in Houston, Texas, so growing up, every holiday or summer, I would travel with my family to Lebanon. Many of my days there were spent wandering the souks (the Arabic word for market), admiring all the beautiful gold jewelry. It became a tradition to bring home pieces from those trips, and I would get complimented on them regularly. People would ask, “Where did you get that?”—and that was when the idea really started to take shape.

One day, while admiring a vintage gold piece passed down to me, along with other pieces I had collected and custom-designed over the years, it struck me. Why not create jewelry that holds meaning for others? Jewelry that tells a story, that becomes a treasured heirloom passed down through generations—pieces that also shine a light on my rich culture in a positive way. That was the moment when my dream to share my heritage through design was born. But turning that dream into a business? That was a whole new challenge.

I started thinking about how I could make this happen and knew I wanted to be hands-on in every part of the process—sketching my designs by hand and manufacturing them in Los Angeles to maintain control over quality. My goal was to create pieces that offered the highest quality at an accessible price—blending luxury with value.

The next step was finding the right manufacturer. I knew from the beginning I wanted to take a made-to-order approach, so every piece would feel special and unique to its owner. But as a small business just starting out, I needed to figure out how to turn that vision into a reality. Through some friends in the industry, I was fortunate to be introduced to a family-owned manufacturer in Los Angeles. It has been an absolute blessing to be partnered with them.

The process begins with my hand-drawn sketch, which is then transferred into a CAD design. From there, a 3D wax mold is printed, and the piece is cast in either 14k or 18k solid yellow gold. The design goes through multiple iterations before it meets both my standards and the manufacturer’s, ensuring every piece is just right. Figuring out the manufacturing process and pricing was definitely a phase filled with trial and error, but it was essential to ensure I was fully prepared to launch.

Once I felt confident in my vision, it was time to lay the foundation for the business. I had to dive into the legal side of things—business licenses, trademarks, and figuring out the best structure for my company. This also meant creating a business plan—I needed clarity for myself. I outlined my vision, set clear goals, and mapped out how I would execute everything. That plan became my roadmap, something I could always turn to when things felt overwhelming. I’m incredibly grateful to my husband for his unwavering support throughout this process—he’s truly been my backbone every step of the way.

Then came the task of choosing a name, logo, and brand identity—something that would truly reflect my designs and values. I spent hours brainstorming and sketching logos. I’ve been so fortunate in this area as well, having the chance to collaborate with a talented graphic designer based in London. She helped bring my brand, logo, packaging, website, and so much more to life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am most proud of the inspiration I draw from the incredible women in my life. Each piece in my collection is dedicated to and named after a strong, influential woman who has left a meaningful mark on my journey. These women, whether family, friends, or iconic figures, inspire my designs, and their strength and grace are reflected in each piece I create.

What sets me apart is my commitment to creating a deeply personal experience for each client. I take the time to connect with my customers, tailoring designs to fit their unique preferences and needs. Whether that means adjusting a piece for the perfect size or using 18k gold instead of 14k for sensitivity reasons, I always encourage an open dialogue to ensure my clients are one hundred percent satisfied with their piece.

Sustainability is also a core value of c’est dahab. I work with a made-to-order model to minimize waste and overproduction, ensuring that each piece is crafted with care and intention. My designs are created with timeless elements from my heritage, starting with a hand-drawn sketch that reflects both tradition and modern elegance. These sketches are then brought to life in collaboration with a renowned family-owned manufacturer in Los Angeles, where each design undergoes multiple iterations—from mold creation to final detailing—to ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship.

Once the design is perfected, I carefully determine the pricing, always aiming to offer a product that combines artistry, quality, and fair value. When you purchase jewelry from c’est dahab, you’re investing in a piece that has been thoughtfully designed, meticulously crafted in the USA, and offered at an accessible price, blending luxury with value.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I’ve always had an eye for design and a creative side for jewelry, but I’ll be honest—I had no experience making jewelry myself, and I definitely didn’t know how to manufacture it. So, I spent a lot of time researching to truly understand the manufacturing process. Thankfully, through some friends in the industry, I was introduced to a family-owned manufacturer in Los Angeles that truly values luxury quality.

This manufacturer has been an absolute blessing. He’s been more of a mentor than just a supplier, and we’ve spent many hours together talking through the process. He’s shown me just how much work goes into each piece—from creating the mold to the casting, and all the way to polishing the final product. I never realized how much the production process impacts the final price, but now it’s something I consider every time I design a new piece.

Everything is handcrafted by skilled artisans, and nothing leaves the workshop unless it meets their exacting standards. In fact, I often get calls saying, “Chantal, we want to redo this piece to meet our quality standards,” even before I do my own quality check. This level of attention to detail means so much to me.

There were plenty of times when we had to revisit a design—whether it was adjusting the casting, refining the weight for comfort, or inspecting the mold and making tweaks. It wasn’t always easy, but the patience and grace my manufacturer has shown me has been incredible. He’s truly mentored me throughout the entire journey, and I’ve learned so much from him along the way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Although my love for jewelry has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I’ve dreamed of building my own business for years, life had other plans. Getting married, moving from Houston to Los Angeles, having two kids, and working a full-time engineering job stretched the process of turning this dream into reality. With so much going on, I had to put my passion for jewelry on hold to focus on being the best wife and mother I could be. And honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. In hindsight, I’ve realized that everything happened at the right time—God’s timing for me to start c’est dahab was now, after all these experiences prepared me for it.

But after the birth of my second son, I made the decision to stay home with him while he was still young, and that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I treasured every moment with my family, but during my baby’s naps, I would dedicate myself to c’est dahab. It wasn’t easy—there were many late nights and early mornings, but I never gave up. Whenever I had a free moment, I worked passionately, no matter how small the progress might have seemed.

There were times when I would drive to downtown Los Angeles alone with my son, meeting with my manufacturer while carrying him in a baby carrier to look at molds, refine designs, or discuss future designs. He became my partner in crime, accompanying me every step of the way. Balancing the demands of motherhood while building a business was a constant challenge, but it also fueled my determination. I refused to let go of my dream, even if it meant juggling sleepless nights and long days. Through every challenge, I stayed focused on my goal: creating something meaningful that I could be proud of.

Finally, in May 2024, I launched c’est dahab, and since then, the brand has been growing organically. Though I’m now back at my civil engineering job, I continue to work on my designs and nurture my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cestdahab.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cestdahab/