A warm welcome to the Dare Be Podcast where I interview people who have followed their passion and mission.

My guest in this episode is Anna Molinari, founder of the jewellery brand Atelier Molinari. She shares the pivotal moments in her story of falling in love with art at school and being challenged for it; of the magical trip to the Gem Palace in Jaipur India when she instantly knew she was meant to become a jewellery designer; of the sacrifices she’s had to make for 6 years; of her long, underground learning journey through Jaipur, Paris, London and New York; of the crazy day when the buyer of one of the most prestigious retail stores in the world offered to sell her own jewellery creations. I hope you get inspired by her courage and determination to pursue her dream and make it happen.

[00:03:32 ] Two things she loves most: drawing and picking stones

[00:05:19 ] Getting in the zone of limitless possibilities when drawing rings

[00:06:57 ] A ring is a like a little sculpture, unlike earrings and necklaces which move

[00:07:37 ] Her first rings were made of cigarette packs and the metal piece holding champagne corks

[00:08:10 ] The story of her first ring that also started the design of her entire collection

[00:09:56 ] Exploring the idea of creating lace out of gold in her art studies at Central Saint Martins

[00:11:25 ] Selecting stones: like being a kid in a candy store

[00:12:57 ] The jewellery industry is all about trust

[00:15:46 ] The emotions stones can generate

[00:18:00 ] The start of her journey: made to feel not good enough at school except in her Friday afternoon art lessons

[00:18:49 ] Anna:"I wanna do art. That's what makes me feel alive!" Headteacher:"This is a big problem."

[00:19:47 ] Getting her parents' support

[00:21:05 ] The power of having people believing in you

[00:21:24 ] Preparing her portfolio was the first time she enjoyed working

[00:21:47 ] Being surrounded and inspired by people who want to make it through their passion

[00:23:35 ] The enchanted encounter with the world of jewellery in India

[00:24:43 ] Jewellery for the exploration and enjoyment of it

[00:25:58 ] The gentle arm twist of a famous jewellery designer to have her move from New York to Jaipur, India

[00:27:04 ] Selling a necklace of muscle-like diamonds to Diane von Furstenberg

[00:27:44 ] Making the scary move to Jaipur

[00:29:22 ] Living in the enchanted Jewellery world and in simple conditions far from her family

[00:30:52 ] First move out of India to Paris: hated it

[00:31:30 ] Who can hire me to stay in New York and see the upcoming Met's jewellery exhibition?

[00:32:04 ] Next steps in Paris, London, New York, India: who can teach me import? Client relationships? Invoicing?

[00:33:02 ] Her 6 year project to launch her brand

[00:33:40 ] The moment Bon Marché's buyer in Paris wants to work with her

[00:34:45 ] Disbelief, fear of failing and ... calling for help

[00:36:44 ] Struggling to sell her own creations (I relate!)

[00:37:32 ] Selling stories instead of her creations

[00:38:39 ] Crushing through Bon Marché's secret target and being called by Fortnum and Mason

[00:39:49 ] The 6-year struggle with no option but to continue

[00:40:49 ] Believing in the value of work that matters to you

[00:41:17 ] Being part of the engagement stories

[00:42:03 ] Her most expensive versus the most valuable piece of jewellery she's held

[00:43:33 ] The art of celebrating and giving

[00:44:20 ] Learn from every single experience!