We were lucky to catch up with Leslie Grant recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

As an entrepreneur, it is always a bit of a risk to start a business. Especially so with a jewelry business. When I began, I didn’t come from a traditional jewelry lineage. I didn’t have mentors opening doors or a built-in network showing me how to price, produce, source or sell. What I had was an instinct…a deep creative pull toward making wearable art pieces that felt personal, powerful and beautiful.. Jewelry that was meant to be worn, not saved.

Starting a business in this manner is a quiet kind of risk. There certainly is no safety net when you don’t know what you don’t know. Every decision…sourcing materials, learning fabrication, understanding gemstones, how to value my work…becomes something you teach yourself in real time, often through trial and error.

Along the way, I found people–not formal mentors–but generous professionals within the jewelry industry who helped shape me by simply sharing knowledge and believing in my work. Today, I can say with confidence that I am very good at what I do. Taking that risk changed my life. It taught me that starting without a map doesn’t mean you’re lost; sometimes it means you’re free to create something entirely your own.

Leslie, 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?

I’m an independent jewelry designer and founder of Leslie Herbert Jewelry, a bespoke fine-jewelry studio centered on craftsmanship, individuality and personal storytelling. To me, jewelry has always been more than adornment–it’s a form of self-expression and wearable memory.

I specialize in one-of-a-kind pieces often built around unique gemstones or reimagined heirlooms. I work closely with clients to design jewelry that reflects who they are today, whether that means transforming inherited pieces into something wearable or creating new designs that feel intentional and enduring. I also help clients build what I call a “jewelry wardrobe”. These are pieces meant to be worn across everyday life, not just on special occasions.

What sets my work apart is a balance of artistry and practicality–designed with longevity and wearability in mind. There’s no formula or trend-driven approach with what I do. Each piece is designed for a specific person. Leslie Herbert Jewelry is about intention, craftsmanship and confidence—creating jewelry that is meant to be worn, lived in and loved.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My best source of clients has always been word-of-mouth. I don’t have a traditional storefront or visible retail presence and that’s very intentional. Leslie Herbert Jewelry has grown through personal connection–one piece at a time.

Most new clients find me because they’ve seen my work on someone they trust. A friend, colleague or family member will notice a piece of jewelry, ask about it, and that conversation becomes the introduction. That kind of referral carries weight. It’s not about marketing or foot traffic–it’s about confidence and credibility built through experience.

Choosing to work with an independent jeweler is, in itself, a leap of trust. Clients aren’t walking into a familiar store or buying from a case. They are placing their story, their materials and often their sentiment in my hands. I’ve never relied on aggressive advertising or trend-driven promotion. I focus on creating pieces that people genuinely love and wear. When clients are happy–when a piece becomes a part of their everyday life–they naturally want to share that experience. That organic exchange has propelled my business far more effectively than any traditional model could. In many ways, my clients are my storefront!

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

Resilience has defined my entire journey. Building an independent jewelry business without prior industry experience meant navigating constant uncertainty. Learning the craft, earning credibility and figuring out the business side at the same time was crucial.

What carried me through was a deep belief in the work itself. I believed in the product before there was outside validation, and that belief pushed me to keep refining, learning, and raising my own standards. Every piece had to be right–not only just visually, but in its quality and intention.

Over time, others began to believe in the work as well. Clients responded to the care, precision and consistency behind each piece, which allowed the business to grow. Resilience, for me, has meant working past limitations and staying committed to doing things well, even when progress felt slow. I’ve learned that determination and craftsmanship matter. If you stay focused on quality and keep showing up, you can build something meaningful–one piece at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LeslieHerbertJewelry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieherbertjewelry/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieherbertjewelry2018/