It never ceases to amaze me how many long-standing luxury brands I have never heard of, despite the fact that they have been around for decades. I recently came upon a company that is so innovative and edgy that I had to speak with its creator. I’d like to tell you about a company called Lucy Quartermaine.

Lucy Quartermaine was always inspired by her grandmother’s jewellery designs, and at the age of 16 she created her first piece of silver jewellery. After realising at a young age that she loved jewellery, she studied jewellery design at Sheffield Hallam University for three years, graduating with a BA Hons in 2003.

English contemporary jewellery designer and silversmith Lucy Quartermaine brought her dream to life in 2007, founding the eponymous designer brand from scratch. Many Hollywood and British A-listers have been photographed wearing her creations, and her designs have been featured in numerous high-end magazines.

Based in Chester, where she grew up with her family, Lucy now works from her office and boutique in the heart of the city. It was always a goal of hers to open a creative hub for herself and other like-minded companies, and this dream became a reality in 2019 after she moved to The Old Coach House with five other creative businesses. Lucy added, “I am Chester born through and through, and I am very passionate about my home. I grew up on the outskirts of the city, and I was lucky enough to have a great crowd of kids to hang out with.” Lucy continued, “My family was alternative in style, personality, and beliefs; they never grew out of the hippy era and went on to work with psychic alternative medicine. I was taught to follow my own style and not be like everyone else, and due to this, I always wanted to stand out above the rest. This didn’t always work for me, and I often got picked on due to it, but I kept my head held high and wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t stick to what I believed in.”

It appears that Lucy, like most young girls nowadays, placed an emphasis on accessorising, particularly for social standing, even when she was in school. “I was definitely the hippie kid at school; I would adorn myself in so many rings that you couldn’t see my fingers and constantly get told off for my rebellious school wear. I thought I was so cool and hung out with the rebellious kids smoking behind the bike shed! However, my rebellious alternative ways meant that I got picked on by others, so I had to fight my own battles regularly, which only made me a stronger individual and eager to prove myself.” Commented Lucy.

However, I wanted to get a real understanding of how she got started in the world of designing and producing jewellery. Lucy answered, “From a very young age, I always knew I wanted to work in fashion and design. I fell in love with jewellery when I was just 10 years old, as I used to sit with my grandmother threading buttons onto string and making bracelets and necklaces. When I was 19, I went to university to study Jewellery and Metalwork at Sheffield Hallam, which only made me love the industry more. As soon as I completed my degree, I immediately went to work with a goldsmith and learned the trade at the bench. This really helped me understand the techniques of making jewellery and the limitations when designing. I always knew I was going to work for myself, and as soon as I felt ready, I left the goldsmiths and launched my own brand at the age of 23.”

I can only imagine how difficult it is to stay on top of the latest fashions in the jewellery industry. When I need to think of something fresh and original, I try to find inspiration to emulate. So who inspires Lucy? “I suppose I have naturally focused my admiration on strong, powerful women who have made a difference in business, fashion, and music. The likes of Vivienne Westwood and Coco Chanel in fashion, Lady Gaga and Madonna in music, and even Oprah Winfrey and Greta Thunberg for speaking their truth. All these women have been true to themselves and what they believe in, and they are the biggest inspiration any woman needs when in business.”

After more than a decade in the jewellery trade, I have no doubt that she has accomplished incredible things. “The day the buyers of Ernest Jones called me up out of the blue to ask if they could place my brand in their stores was an unbelievable moment in my career. It was something that I wasn’t expecting at all, and it turned my company around for the better. It meant I was able to move my business out of my converted garage into a proper office space where I could employ staff to help me run the company. Since working closely with Ernest Jones, I have seen the brand grow and double in profits overnight. It has given us the flexibility to test new markets and grow branches within the jewellery world.” Replied Lucy.

“On top of that, I have multiple milestones in my career that I am very proud of, for example, working closely with a TV network to sell jewellery and presenting live on air every month. I am also making the big jump of purchasing (not renting) my own building in the heart of Chester to run my company, plus renting additional rooms to like-minded individuals in business, creating a business hub in Chester.” Conintued Lucy.

The reality, however, is that nothing ever goes as planned because of external factors. Look at the pandemic we survived, for example. How did Lucy’s business do when times were rough for everyone? “It was a tough few years that hit the retailers hard, which in turn dramatically impacted my company. At one point, the only revenue that was coming in was from online sales; however, we utilised this time to develop our digital presence and did the best we could by offering online promotions, SM competitions, and product launches. We even redeveloped the website and committed to strategy planning and business development. No time was wasted, and once things got back to some sort of normality, we were ready to restock the shelves of our stores and get the brand back on track.” Shared Lucy.

Lucy continued, “The jewellery industry is highly competitive, with new names and design styles coming in and out of fashion all the time. As a CEO, one can never let their guard down, and it is vital to constantly be ahead of the game and embrace the challenges the world has to offer us all the time. It is literally a juggling act when running a fast-paced company; a race to stay ahead of the game. I always get teased for my poor memory, but in all fairness, running a company in the digital age means that one can never let any section of the business slide. You have to fight to be on top of the game; otherwise, financial difficulties can quickly come into place, which can be detrimental for the company.”

As a fellow business owner, I know that there are times when you can’t sleep because you’re worrying about work. So what keeps Lucy up at night? “Definitely time. Time is my biggest challenge; trying to fit everything into one day is tough. I am a mother to three amazing children and find it hard to ensure that they get the attention they need whilst running a fast-paced jewellery brand. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and my family keeps me on my toes and reminds me why I do what I do on a daily basis. I am the ultimate worrier and I worry about everything, whether my children need anything for school the next day, if I have paid my suppliers on time, design styles and whether they will sell in the current market, current events, COVID, wars, news issues, and how it will effect my business. The list is endless.” Said Lucy.

I wonder, and I’m sure others have too, at what point in your life you realised you’d finally made it. I don’t feel like I’ve arrived at actual success just yet, but I’m getting closer and closer. Have Lucy’s efforts paid off, though? “Personally, I don’t think I am there yet. I strive for success, but do you ever get to a point where you feel complete? I think that is the down side of being an entrepreneur—you never feel like it’s enough, and you just keep on working and striving for more success. However, the milestones I have hit within the company have helped me achieve another step in that direction, which in turn helps me towards true success. For example, the awards my company has won, seeing my jewellery on many top celebrities, working with a TV production network, collaborating with Ernest Jones, and seeing my designs sitting proudly in the window displays. At present, I am also working with Sheffield Hallam University students (where I gained my BA HONS) to help with one of their projects where they have to create jewellery for commercial wear. I love to give back and help others achieve the success they deserve.” Added Lucy.

When I meet a fellow business owner who has more experience than me, I always ask for guidance on any areas where I may improve, and from time to time, I think back and remind myself of what they said. Lucy shared the advice she got: “‘Be true to yourself. It may sound obvious and cliched, but my parents taught me to stand out from others and follow my own dream. Without knowing it, people follow people, and although that works for others, my business wouldn’t be where it is if I created jewellery that other brands were creating. The company motto is ‘Be Unique’ and I strive to ensure that I am always ahead of the game and inventive, not just in design but also in business.”

Yet Lucy is not alone; she is supported by an incredible group of people who push the brand forward and to greater heights. When I asked her about her approach to leadership, she said: “People make the business work. I always say that communication, teamwork, and a good balance of fun and hard work go a long way in building a company. I always ensure that everyone who works for me is happy and that they are working on projects that they are passionate about. I love change and am always looking for the next best thing to bring to the company. I take risks, and although not every one of them works out, I learn from them and am ready to move onto the next project.

Lucy continued, “I am dedicated to my business and am undyingly passionate about everything I do. I put myself out there to achieve my goals, and I believe that everyone should do the same when they love what they do. I encourage my staff to stand out and be unique because everyone here is amazing and brings their own personality to the company. Power and motivation are key, and I hugely respect anyone who isn’t shy to stand out.”

She added, “I like to think that I can recognise my staff’s individual passions and push them in the direction that I feel they deserve. Many of my staff have been young and eager to grow, which really inspires me to push them and offer additional training aids to help further their knowledge.

I recently followed the Kickstarter scheme, which brought two young, bright individuals to my team; they were enthusiastic and showed ambition. Lauren was happy to stay on after the 6-month period, and she is now moving fast up the career chain within operations and has even shown interest in PR, which I am in the process of encouraging. I try to ensure that there is an equal balance of talent within my team, and each person follows the path that they show talent for and interest in. This is vital to my company and vital to me!”

When Lucy finally has some time to herself, how does she unwind? “I suppose travel is my number one; it takes me away from work and gives me the break I need. I personally need the balance of work and family life, and travelling on holiday forces me to relax and spend time with my husband and children. One of my greatest hobbies is exercise; I am up at 6.30 each morning at the gym. This starts my day off perfectly and puts me in the right mindset for the day ahead. I also love to exercise my creative flair by regularly visiting art galleries and museums. I am a sponge for fine art and especially love the surrealist art style, which is where my initial inspiration for molten jewellery came from. e.g., Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Time.”

Lucy has already described her time in school and her personality, so my last question to her is how her old classmates and siblings would react if they saw her in her current role. “I think they would be very proud, as I am, of everything that they have achieved. Both my sisters are very interested in my work and are always offering design ideas and business suggestions that they think would be helpful. They also have their own businesses (it runs in the family), and between the three of us, we often get together to discuss business strategies and ideas. I am still in touch with most of my childhood friends, and they are all so supportive and love to borrow my jewellery for special occasions!”

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