We were lucky to catch up with Karen Canon recently and have shared our conversation below.
Karen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
I absolutely love being an entrepreneur and having my own business. It’s funny because, growing up, I always dreamed of holding a leadership position in a multinational company. I pictured myself in a high-rise office, making important decisions, leading teams, and climbing the corporate ladder. That was the dream—until I became an entrepreneur.
Now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Being a business owner is hard, really hard. There have been moments of uncertainty, stress, and exhaustion. But the fulfillment I get from building something of my own, seeing my vision come to life, and knowing that every success is a direct result of my effort—it’s incomparable.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Karen and I am the founder of Brunetta Accessories. My journey as an entrepreneur started in a way I never expected. I moved to the U.S. in 2017 as an Au Pair, taking care of kids and studying English. At that time, I never imagined I would one day own a business. But life has a way of surprising us.
I wanted to create a brand that offered unique, stylish, and durable accessories that people could wear every day and truly connect with. That’s how my business was born.
At Brunetta, we specialize in gold-plated and stainless steel jewelry, designed to be both elegant and long-lasting. We offer customizable charm necklaces, where customers can create their own meaningful pieces, as well as a curated collection of earrings, bracelets, and rings. We focus on high-quality materials that are waterproof, tarnish-resistant, and nickel-free, making our jewelry perfect for everyday wear.
One of the things that makes us different is our jewelry truck—a concept that allows us to bring our brand directly to customers, creating a fun and interactive shopping experience.
What am I most proud of? Definitely the journey. From starting with just a small table at pop-ups to growing into a mobile jewelry business with a strong community of customers—it’s been incredible. I’ve faced challenges, taken risks, and learned so much along the way, but seeing people connect with my brand and wear our pieces with pride makes everything worth it.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Funding my business was one of the biggest challenges in the beginning. I didn’t have savings or investors, so I had to figure out how to make it work with what I had.
My mom was my first believer—she lent me some money to help me get started, and that gave me the push I needed. But I knew I couldn’t rely only on that, so I took a part-time job as a waitress to save up and fund my business little by little. It wasn’t easy. I remember working long shifts, sometimes exhausted, but every tip and every paycheck felt like a step closer to making my dream a reality.
Looking back, I’m so grateful for those early days. They taught me resilience, discipline, and the value of building something from the ground up. It wasn’t about having a big budget—it was about believing in the vision, taking risks, and working hard to make it happen.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
I don’t manufacture my jewelry myself, but I work closely with skilled artisans and trusted suppliers in Colombia to bring my designs to life. When I started my business, I knew I wanted high-quality, long-lasting jewelry, but I didn’t have the expertise or equipment to manufacture it on my own. So, I had to find the right partners—people who shared my commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
I was already a loyal customer of certain Colombian brands whose quality I loved and admired. Instead of looking for unknown vendors, I decided to reach out to the brands I trusted and see if we could collaborate. Over time, I built strong relationships with them, and today, they are my suppliers.
This approach has allowed me to offer gold-plated and stainless steel jewelry that is waterproof, durable, and nickel-free, giving my customers beautiful, high-quality pieces they can wear every day. Working with Colombian artisans also adds a special touch to my brand, making each piece not just a product, but a representation of craftsmanship, culture, and quality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brunettaaccessories.com
- Instagram: Brunettaaccessories
- Facebook: Brunetta Accessories
- Linkedin: Brunetta Accessories
