A Delayed Dream Come True

Way back in the 1900s (aka 1995-ish), creative director and cofounder Melanie was an undeclared student flailing her way through college.

She decided to sit out a few semesters to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. At the time, Melanie was working for a fine jewelry company in her hometown in Kentucky. 

This decision to sit out of school lead into Melanie thinking she might like to make jewelry a career. So, she earned her Diamond Council of America certified diamond jeweler certification, took countless trainings and workshops and worked her way up, ultimately becoming the assistant manager of a half million dollar a year fine jewelry store in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Along the way, Melanie also met with a local jewelry repair and manufacturing company to find out what's involved in becoming a bench jeweler and jewelry designer. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to support herself financially during the apprenticeship, so Melanie put this dream on hold. 

But the dream never quite went away. 

The desire to become an artist and writer began to overtake Melanie's thoughts, and she went back to school. She continued to work part-time at a family jewelry retailer in Kentucky while earning her Bachelor of Art in photography with an area of concentration in literature and writing. She spent 20 years as a journalist and photographer, and has no regrets. 

But in February, when Stacy called — remembering her friend's time as a jeweler in a former life — to ask Melanie if she wanted to join her bestie in creating a jewelry company, the only answer was absolutely yes. 

More than 30 years later, Melanie is finally realizing her dream of becoming a jewelry designer. A dream that may never have happened if it weren't for her best friend, Stacy, tapping her on the shoulder one day and asking "what if we started a jewelry company?" 

So may incredible stories start with the two words: What if?

What's your what if? Share in comments or email us at cheers@maisonmariann.com. 

Cheers!

Stacy + Melanie