Shoutout Colorado
We had the good fortune of connecting with Chrissy Liu and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chrissy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I took my first metalsmithing class in April of 2018, I wasn’t sure where it would lead. Little did I know it would ignite a spark in me that I couldn’t extinguish. For the months following my introductory class, I was creating as much as I could and signing up for every workshop that worked with our family schedule. As I was accumulating many rings and earrings during my practice sessions, my husband asked me one day whether I had thought about selling my work. For a brief moment, I had some doubts about whether people would like what I created and then realized, I would never know unless I tried. Six months after my first class, I filed the paperwork to create my business and within the first year, I sold my first piece. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs and owned their own businesses, as did my in-laws, so it is really something my husband and I know well and experienced growing up. When the opportunity arose to follow in their footsteps, it was a no brainer.
What should our readers know about your business?
I have a bit of an unconventional career path, which has lead me to my third career as a business owner and jewelry designer. In my previous life, I was a practicing attorney and then a hospital administrator in major academic medical centers across the country. I feel as though working in my previous fields has greatly prepared me for the mechanics of being a business owner from organizational skills, strategic planning, and legal preparation. Learning a new skill always comes with its benefits and challenges. For me, it has been an adjustment going from being an expert in my field to a complete newcomer and having to start over from scratch. It is quite a humbling experience. However, I have found the metalsmithing and jewelry making community to be so helpful in offering support, tips and tricks.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am lucky that some of my besties have already visited us here in Colorado. Being a mom of a toddler, I don’t feel as though I have my finger on the pulse of cool spots anymore. However, we are lucky enough to live by Red Rocks, so it always fun taking people there for a nice hike. I love going to Golden and walking the main street, stopping to grab ice cream or a cup of coffee. And of course, driving into the mountains is a must. I have lived in the NE, the South, the PNW and now here in Colorado. There really is some beautiful land here in Colorado and for those that don’t get to see mountains regularly, it is a must.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shout out to my husband. I became a stay at home mom at 40, leaving behind a wonderful career in hospital administration. As I began the journey in metalsmithing, I was struggling to find my way as a new mom and no longer a woman who defined herself by her career. From the start, he was my biggest supporter and cheerleader. When I was approached to do a trade show in NYC after only six months in business, my first thought was no way am I ready for that. He flat out told me that was non sense and I needed to go for it. It turned out to be a game changing decision for by business, so without that type of support and encouragement, I feel my business wouldn’t be in the place it is today.
Website: www.chrissyliujewelry.com
Instagram: @chrissyliujewelry
Linkedin: Chrissy Cianflone Liu
Facebook: Chrissy Liu Jewelry