Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Meyering.
Rachel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was a little girl, I was fascinated with glitter and sparkly things. They even called me Sparkles at summer camp. Little did my fellow campers imagine that nickname would later be the namesake for my own business – perhaps unsurprisingly, a jewelry store in the heart of Andersonville.
My love for sparkles got serious when I was 18 and started working in a family friend’s jewelry store. I was surprised and touched by the general joyful nature of the jewelry experience. You have very emotional interactions with your clients and you form a real relationship with each one as a result. After college, I worked in wholesale to learn the back-end of jewelry. At that point, I moved back into retail and managed a well-known jewelry store in Chicago. I obtained my AJP and GD certificates from GIA and began working towards my GG. Everything I’ve learned over the years, both in coursework and in practice, has really become a resource that I use every day in my business.
I opened Sparkles Fine Jewelry in September 2013 when I was 28. This was a huge undertaking and I poured my heart and soul into my business. As they say, the first couple years are definitely the toughest, but at the same time, they are extremely rewarding. I may be a little biased, but Andersonville is the friendliest and all-around best neighborhood in Chicago. We have a large LGBTQ clientele whom we adore. We also maintain a 5-star Yelp page. We received fifth place for America’s Coolest Stores in Instore Magazine. I gave the interior of Sparkles a modern theme with 3-D metallic starbursts, tufted ottomans, and a hand-painted ombre wall. We have an all-female staff that I am beyond grateful for. I’m always checking out jewelry shows all over the world, including Hong Kong and frequent trips to NYC. It’s absolutely crucial to stay up-to-date on trends and maintain great relationships with your vendors.
I really enjoy each aspect of the jewelry industry and am extremely honored to have a store in a neighborhood that prides itself on shopping local. Jewelry is my passion and sharing that passion makes me so happy.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning a store is just like a roller coaster ride. You will have major ups and downs, but everything always seems to work itself out in the end. We are so lucky to have the support of an incredible neighborhood and a wonderful staff.
Yes, at times I worry like crazy and can see many gray hairs coming in 😉 Oh, the joys of being a business owner…. all the bills on the desk staring at you in the face. I have learned that patience is key and if you do not struggle with parts of your business, you are not learning.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sparkles Fine Jewelry story. Tell us more about the business.
Sparkles is a jewelry store in the heart of Andersonville specializing in engagement rings, wedding bands, fashion jewelry. and repairs. We are known for our custom designs. We have a blast curating jewelry that will last a lifetime. We create an open atmosphere for people to show their love for one another. We want customers to always feel welcome and enjoy the exciting process of getting engaged. We have a large LGBTQ clientele and feel honored that we are the go to spot for same sex couples.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
A lot of our customers come in wanting a one-of-a-kind customized engagement ring. They have pulled together a few ideas from Pinterest and are ready to make their own creation. The custom process is so fun and a one-on-one experience. I hope that this still continues and customers choose to go to a local jeweler rather than buying online.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5405 N Clark Street
- Website: WWW.SPARKLESFINEJEWELRY.COM
- Phone: 773-944-9600
- Email: INFO@SPARKLESFINEJEWELRY.COM
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparklesfinejewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SparklesChicago
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SPARKLESCHICAGO
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sparkles-fine-jewelry-chicago
Image Credit:
Two Birds Photography
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