Get to know members Scarlett Jewellery

We caught up with members Scarlett Jewellery to find out more about their award-winning jewellery business.

Tell us about Scarlet Jewellery and what you do

Scarlett Jewellery has been going for almost 20 years.  I was the manager for 10 and have now been the owner, designer and director for almost 2 and a half years.  We make classic, meaningful silver and gold jewellery in our workshop in Hove, specialising in intricate silver charms, nature inspired jewellery and engraved and personalised jewellery for both men & women.

I currently do a bit of everything!  I design the jewellery and work with expert freelancers to turn ideas into reality, I help customers decide what to buy, and create original pieces for them, work on the jewellery bench engraving, soldering and polishing jewellery, and I also keep the website and social media up to date.  There are loads more but the list would be far too long!  It’s a busy life!

What inspired you to set up the business/get involved with the business?

I initially applied on a whim as I come from a jewellery background, loved working with small and owner managed businesses as you can often make real change happen and get your teeth really into it.  I saw Scarlett as a really promising business with high standards and an opportunity to create and expand far beyond what we were doing in my early days.  I decided to buy the founder of the business out after years of her expressing lack of passion to drive it forward – she wanted to close it down following my return from maternity leave, but I couldn’t bear to see all the work I'd put in just close down, so we came to an arrangement so she could leave and I could take things over.

What’s changed since you started the business?

Since I took over the business, a lot has changed, some great things and some not so great!  If someone had told me we would have two general elections and a BREXIT vote in the first two years of owning what was already a business clearly in decline, I would have definitely had second thoughts!  But it is what it is.

I've lost a few staff this year and chosen not to replace them instead opting to work more with professional freelancers.  This allows me to be more flexible and helps to keep the costs more manageable.  There’s still a long way to go, but I’m determined to bring it back and currently treating it much like a startup.  I'm looking at every aspect of how we do things, working out where we can streamline, how we can provide a better service, what we can make more of and what we can leave out.  In the last three months, I’ve started to see a change in direction and focus, and I’m confident that the next 12 months will show a very different picture.  Providing we don’t have another political catastrophe...

What‘s your favourite part of your job?

I love helping the customers – it’s so amazing to work with them on simple ideas such as engraving a ring with something unique, to making a wedding ring.  It’s really rewarding to get the positive feedback and to be assured after years of stress and fighting fires that what I have here is a really high quality, service led business.  Our customers love what we do, the reviews show it and making something in person that someone loves enough to send you a personal message or phone you to say thanks makes the hard work worth it. 

What do you love about doing business in Brighton?

Brighton is my second home.  I grew up in Portsmouth but have actually spent more of my adult life here now, so it’s really my one true home.  It’s a vibrant town where it’s ok to be whatever you want and barely anyone blinks an eye.  I’ve never worn a suit to work and am proud of it, and I wouldn’t expect any of my staff to.  It’s about what you do, what you achieve, what you’re capable of and not all about the stereotype of being a business person in a suit.  So many other businesses I’ve met also go with that and it’s very reassuring.

Best place to eat/drink in Brighton?

Pompoko for simple eats – totally addicted to their Tofu Chilli Don!  I’ve been a vegetarian for over 30 years and there’s really no-where else in the country that offers such a huge choice for veg heads like me!  As for drinking, I don’t get the chance much as I have two under 5’s at home – but my local The Railway near Portslade station is wonderful.  It’s homely, nice, a teeny bit ‘hip’ so I can have a brief moment of NOT feeling like an overworked mum trying to manage a business by herself!

What is your top tip for business success?
Absolutely don’t ever give up no matter what other people think of what you're doing. 

Thanks to Stevie from Scarlett Jewellery for writing the blog. 

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk