We recently connected with Sydney Strong and have shared our conversation below.

Sydney, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.

My mother, llyn (llyn strong fine art jewelry), started making jewelry in 1972, started her own business in 1985, I was born in 1983 and grew up in my mom’s studio while she worked as a divorced single parent, building a business from nothing, all by herself. Fast forward to 2011, I was living in Charleston, SC coaching soccer at the College of Charleston, not really interested in jewelry, when she called and asked if I had any interest in working in the business, which she had successfully created over the past 28 years. This would require me to move to Greenville, SC and work for her. I told her that I would try it for a year and reassess after that. Well, here we are 13 years later and I am now the owner of llyn strong fine art jewelry, became a Graduate Gemologist in 2017 and buying the business from llyn in December of 2021. It wasn’t the easiest road, for llyn or myself, and there were many times that I wished she were just my mom and not my mom and boss (and I am 100% sure she felt the same way), but somehow maneuvered though the bumpy roads to where we are today. llyn is semi-retired, coming in less and less, enjoying working on her encaustic paintings in her home studio and being home with her newly retired husband.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We are an all-women, high end, jewelry store, specializing in custom work, where we design, create, manufacture and produce all of the pieces that we make. We focus on unique colored stones set in 18k rose, white or yellow gold- or combinations of all- and designs tailored specifically to our customers individuality. We pride ourselves on giving the customer the best experience during the process and the quality of the piece when it is completed.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Like I previously mentioned, we are a 6 person, all female team. The Ladies on my team have been with me 12,8,7 and 3 years (and llyn, obviously, before everyone). I feel like that speaks volumes on its own. We have all developed a safe space for everyone to come and be exactly as they are and able to excel at what they do, while also continuing to learn from each other. We work hard, hard together, and still remember to laugh and enjoy the day. I have given everyone a voice to express their own creativity, and ideas, making sure they are all seen, heard and feel valued.

Contact Info:

• Website: llynstrong.com
• Instagram: llynstrong
• Facebook: llynstrongfineartjewelry
• Linkedin: llynstrong
• Youtube: llynstrong

Image Credits
Jessica Bergman Photography Max DiNatatle Digital Media