We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dorothy Chou a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dorothy, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The inception of my business took root in the simplest of actions: crafting gifts for friends. As a student at an art school majoring in architecture, the crux of our learning wasn’t just theoretical. It was hands-on, steeped in a culture of creating, innovating, and constantly refining our ideas under the guidance of mentors. This foundation taught me the art of self-reliance. I nurtured my skills by proactively seeking knowledge—whether it be through Google, books, online tutorials, or attending various workshops.

Fast forward to my days at an interior design company. The holiday season was always an occasion to express gratitude and appreciation. Rather than taking the traditional route of purchasing gifts, I took a leap of faith. I invested in materials and equipment to craft personalized gifts. The joy and surprise on my friends’ faces were palpable each time they unwrapped one of my creations. But a lingering question haunted me: Were they pleased because of the personal touch, or did they genuinely like the quality and uniqueness of my gifts?

The answer unveiled itself during a hiatus I took after leaving my demanding interior design job. A friend presented me with an opportunity to participate in the Taiwan Fest, showcasing my handmade concrete jewelry and home decor. Confronted with real customers, the validation was overwhelming. People weren’t just admiring my work—they were buying it. This initial success in the vast realm of handmade items and jewelry was the nudge I needed. Encouraged, I began participating in more cultural fairs and craft shows, ultimately culminating in the birth of my own brand.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Introduction to My Craft and Industry: My foray into design began with my academic background in architecture. This foundation familiarized me with construction materials, particularly concrete and cement, an unconventional medium for jewelry. This blend of my design training and my experience with construction materials is how I delved into the world of crafting concrete jewelry and home decor. Designing jewelry reminds me of my school days, where the emphasis was on achieving a harmonious balance between form and shape.

Products and Services Offered:
At the heart of our brand is a commitment to innovation and quality. We craft unique concrete jewelry and home decor pieces, transforming an industrial material into wearable art and captivating home accents. Our designs aim to integrate the robust nature of construction materials with the delicate beauty of jewelry, creating items that bring joy to their beholders.

Our Pride and Brand Distinction:
What I am profoundly proud of this year is our relentless pursuit of quality. We have engaged in extensive strength testing and have standardized our color chart. One of our notable achievements is producing earrings that are a mere 3mm thick yet span an area of 5cm x 5cm. We experimented with myriad ingredients to ensure they maintain the strength required for jewelry. Additionally, our final seal testing guarantees that our earrings are both water and wear-resistant. This meticulous attention to detail is testament to our dedication to offering the best quality in-house handmade jewelry and home decor.

What I Want You to Know:
To our potential clients, followers, and fans: Beyond our products, our brand is a reflection of passion, innovation, and a relentless quest for perfection. We’re not just creating jewelry; we’re pioneering a fusion between industrial materials and art, crafting each piece with care and precision to bring joy into your lives.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

The inception of my business took root in the simplest of actions: crafting gifts for friends. As a student at an art school majoring in architecture, the crux of our learning wasn’t just theoretical. It was hands-on, steeped in a culture of creating, innovating, and constantly refining our ideas under the guidance of mentors. This foundation taught me the art of self-reliance. I nurtured my skills by proactively seeking knowledge—whether it be through Google, books, online tutorials, or attending various workshops.

Fast forward to my days at an interior design/ interior architecture company. The holiday season was always an occasion to express gratitude and appreciation. Rather than taking the traditional route of purchasing gifts, I took a leap of faith. I invested in materials and equipment to craft personalized gifts. The joy and surprise on my friends’ faces were palpable each time they unwrapped one of my creations. But a lingering question haunted me: Were they pleased because of the personal touch, or did they genuinely appreciate the quality and uniqueness of my gifts?

The answer unveiled itself during a hiatus I took after leaving my demanding interior design job. A friend presented me with an opportunity to participate in the Taiwan Fest, showcasing my handmade concrete jewelry and home decor. Confronted with real customers, the validation was overwhelming. People weren’t just admiring my work—they were buying it. This initial success in the vast realm of handmade items and jewelry was the nudge I needed. Encouraged, I began participating in more cultural fairs and craft shows, ultimately culminating in the birth of my own brand.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, we do manufacture our product(s). Our journey to this decision was paved with numerous considerations and encounters with potential manufacturers.

Initially, we sought external manufacturers to produce our distinct concrete jewelry. In this process, we connected with two concrete product manufacturers. The first had superior expertise but charged a premium, while the second was more economical but had lesser skill.

The high-skill manufacturer provided invaluable advice. They consulted with us, shared some techniques, and ultimately recommended we handle production ourselves. Their rationale was based on our unique business model: producing a diverse range of jewelry styles, but in limited quantities for each. They astutely pointed out the potential financial strain of overstocking before establishing sales channels. Furthermore, they emphasized the advantages of keeping production in-house, offering greater flexibility in controlling quantity and ensuring quality.

On the other hand, the second, less experienced manufacturer primarily produced larger concrete vessels rather than the intricate, ultra-thin jewelry we envisioned. Despite numerous trials, they couldn’t adapt their formula to meet our standards of durability and finesse.

Given these experiences and the inherent challenges, we opted to set up our manufacturing base in New York City. Fortuitously, our team boasts members with a scientific background, which proved instrumental in honing our concrete-making expertise. Concrete jewelry crafting is a delicate process; the myriad of chemical components and the precise balance of water ratios are crucial. With continuous experimentation and dedication, we are now self-reliant, confidently producing our signature concrete jewelry in-house.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dotychou.com
• Instagram: doty_chou_objects
• TikTok: Doty_Chou_Objects

Image Credits
Portrait Photo Credit: Jonny Peluso