Natalie McMillan is on a mission to make fine jewelry feel inclusive!
Most of my life I have felt a bit out of place, like I've never really fit into the right mold. My jewelry line stems from a place of wanting everyone to feel included. Fine jewelry can sometimes feel so untouchable and exclusive, and I want women to feel completely comfortable in their jewelry, knowing that the piece they're wearing was made to make them feel like themselves. Everyone deserves a piece of fine jewelry that they can take along the wild ride of life with. I want women to have jewelry that feels like it was made just for them, a piece that they never want to take off!
I stay motivated by… hearing from my customers. I love when I get an email saying that the necklace they bought became the one they wear every day, or that they were wearing it when they got proposed to, or celebrated a birthday. Sharing that connection with the incredible women I get to call my customers keeps me going!
Three adjectives that describe me are… resilient, independent, and creative.
If I could have dinner with one person it would be… Freddie Mercury because... well.... who WOULDN'T want to have dinner with Freddie Mercury?! Queen's Greatest Hits was the first album I ever recieved and their music has always been a integral part of my life. I think that would be the most fun dinner ever!
The most exciting innovation to me is… the new technology coming out surrounding Type 1 Diabetes. As someone with Type 1, I am so excited to see the new gadgets and medical advances that keep me at my healthiest so I can live my life to the absolute fullest! I am so grateful that I am an entrepreneur and can create my own hours, because as much as I don't let diabetes get in the way of my life, sometimes it just does and a forced day off is required. The tools and technologies that are on the horizon will help me have the most normal life possible.
Do you have a fixed work routine? Is it important to have one? Any tips for our readers?
I tried having a fixed work routine in the beginning, and I realized that it just wasn't working for me. Something was always coming up, whether in work or my personal life. What I've decided works for me is at the beginning of the week I take out my planner and write down all the things that need to get done, both professionally and personally, and then I just take it day by day and see where the pieces of the workweek puzzle fall into place! I've become pretty good and getting the whole list checked off by the end of the week, even if the order isn't in the way I originally planned it.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur? Is having your own business something you always wanted?
I can't even remember a time in my life where I envisioned myself working for someone else. I've always felt like I would work for myself in one capacity or another! I have a combination of being a free spirit and artistically inclined, but I also like some structure. So I think having that grouping of personality traits lends itself well to owning my own business.
What is one thing you find to be true that most people would disagree with?
That you can be "The Boss" without playing hardball with people. I find that a lot upcoming entrepreneurs feel the need to seem tough to get things done, almost like they will get a better response if they are intimidating. I always want to be the person people are excited to be working with, not afraid of. For me, being completely myself, leading with kindness, and doing my best to openly communicate with those around me is the way to go. It harbors better relationships with my team and just makes work life more enjoyable all around!
What were you doing before this? How did it prepare you for the entrepreneurial life?
Before launching my line, I was a full time college student and had odd jobs. My college years really showed me how determined I was, and how I could make things happen. I got a 5 year degree done in 4 years, graduated at the top of my class, all while maintaining a social life and managing a chronic illness. All of my odd jobs helped me to hone in on what I really wanted my own business model to look like. I took what I liked and what I didn't like from the jobs I was doing and applied them to my business and learned from lots of mentors along the way.
Who is the one super successful person you look up to? Why them? Can you share their quote/ideology that inspires you the most?
I look up to so so many people, but one that I really am inspired by is Anine Bing. She is a fellow LA based designer with a clothing line that is focused on empowering women with style and comfort, which I really resonate with and have a similar outlook for my own line! What I love about her is she always has a positive, upbeat attitude, but never minimizes how hard it is to be a designer, business owner, mom, friend, wife, etc. I think she is a good example of "you CAN have it all" if you prioritize, organize, work hard, and be nice, which is my goal!