Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Sinkule.
Hi Catherine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I went to school at the Savannah College of Art and Design where I majored in Jewelry and Accessory Design. Not only was I learning all the technical aspects of the industry, but also making connections with some of the top brands in the space.
During my summer breaks, I was living in New York City working with designers like Dannijo Jewels and The Row. When I moved to NYC full-time in the Summer of 2017 I began designing and producing jewelry for Elizabeth & James. Once Elizabeth & James was sold to Khols, I transitioned into designing and developing solid gold and diamond pieces for some of the largest stores like Macy’s, JCPenny’s and Costco.
In 2019, my now fiance and I decided to move to Austin to for a change of pace. I worked for Kendra Scott, leading the launch and development of their latest Watch line.
While working in all these roles, I saw so many beautiful aspects of the jewelry industry along with many negatives like industrial waste, extremely high markups, poor factory environments and false marketing. With all that in mind, I wanted to create a company that challenged those norms. I especially wanted to focus on recycling pre-owned, heirloom-quality jewelry with sustainability and affordability at the forefront of the business. So I recently stepped away from my role in the corporate world and went full-time into running Alador Jewelry.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I knew for a long time that I wanted to run my own business. The big question was always “When?” Every time I wanted to leave, it felt like there was some obstacle. Timing was bad because of some stressful life events. Or I didn’t think I was secure in my finances. Or I didn’t want to give up my corporate benefits. This is especially true being a woman and knowing that I would be giving up my amazing healthcare and maternity leave if I went out on my own.
But worse than my own nerves, I was constantly being put down by other people’s risk-averse mindsets. When I asked people for their opinions about leaving my job, most feared what could happen if I wasn’t successful. No one seemed to think about what would happen if it all worked out.
Finally, I was able to get some amazing advice from a mentor: If you fully understand the consequences of possible failure and it still doesn’t outweigh all that you could possibly learn – go for it.
I was ready to learn, a lot.
There will never be a perfect time to start your own business, so why not now?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Alador offers restored, pre-loved jewelry at attainable prices to elevate your jewelry box. We collect one-of-a-kind estate, vintage and antique jewelry that is then professionally restored at our local workbench. I love that we are able to offer an assortment of newer pieces and rare antiques so that there is something for every customer. While the age of the piece might vary, we only collect the highest quality jewels. To do that, we spend the time digging through auctions, estate sales, pawn shops and the many tiny corners of the world, testing pieces for their authenticity with all the top tools in the industry.
The beauty in this, besides the pieces themselves, is the price point. Since we’re sourcing and restoring existing jewelry, rather than mining for stones and contracting a manufacturing facility, we can generally offer the same or better quality at 20-50% off retail prices elsewhere.
We’ve built a sustainable business and that gives me the freedom to share my excitement about this work with others and gives me the chance to share the history of a piece and educate my clients. There is nothing more satisfying than finding the right piece for our customers that can be passed down for generations.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking is KEY. People want to see a founder succeed and will help you if they believe in your cause. There have been events or pop-ups that I did and didn’t sell one thing at, but I networked and then those people whom I meet later helped me down the road. It takes time to build a foundation to a business but networking is one amazing way to build that foundation smoothly & quickly.
Contact Info:
- Website: aladorjewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alador_jewelry/
