Name
Cassy Saba

Age
16

Company
Cassy’s Sassy Jewelry, since 2002

Website
Visit Homepage

Home
Chandler, AZ (USA)

Education
Currently a junior in high school

Motto
Live your dreams!

Every girl loves to wear jewelry. Especially when that jewelry’s a one-of-a kind. Good thing we got Cassy! Receiving compliment after compliment for her self-made jewelry, Cassy started selling her first necklaces at the young age of 12. Now she’s still only 16 years old, but that doesn’t stop her from getting her work into big magazines as Elle Girl, Yes and Teen Magazine. She even spotted her design on superstar Brandy.

A brief overview of what your company does:
I design custom jewelry using semi-precious stones, swarovski crystals, and sterling silver. My pieces are one-of-a kind, and my customers enjoy having special pieces nobody else has.

How did you get into business?
I started off creating jewelry out of glass beads, and I would get so many compliments, I knew I had a talent for design and style. Then I advanced into real stones, and started selling my jewelry.

Which achievements are you proud of?
I am very proud of being in 14 national magazines, I love networking with editors and other designers because they appreciate your work. I am proud to be a young entrepreneur.

Did you run into many obstacles?
One of the main obstacles I have is trying to manage school and my business. Sometimes I want to just skip school and make jewelry all day! I know that is unrealistic, but it is very hard to manage your time.

What differentiates you from other entrepreneurs?
I am young and I do everything myself.

What have been the keys in bringing your company to the present level?
Have confidence in your work, so other people will realize that you have a great product. Get your designs out there, because you are going to be the person to push your business to where it needs to go.

Has your age given you an advantage in getting where you are now?
I think my age is an advantage and disadvantage. I think many people find it amazing and interesting, and then some people think you can’t do as good as a job, but you just have to show them that your age is not a deterrent.

How do you keep yourself motivated to work hard and to get even better at what you do?
I keep myself motivated because I know what my ultimate goals are, and I want to be a famous jewelry designer. I have to work very hard, because it is competitive, and I know how far I want to go.

What are the most important lessons you have learned along the way?
I have learned that you have to work for what you want, and if your business is meant to be what you are doing, you will get signs, such as getting into magazine. I guess my name is really getting out there.

What is your goal in life?
My goal in business is to become a famous jewelry designer. Fashion is my passion, and I also love to inspire teen girls to go for their dreams.

Who do you get support from?
My family is so supportive of me. My mom will always be there when I need something! My friends also support me. And my clients also have confidence in me, they love my work. Most of them have collections of my jewelry.

Who are your role-models?
My mom is my role model because she started a business, and has ran it for 26 years. She has been successful so I look up to that.

How important do you consider networking to be?
I think networking is very important because it helps get your name out there. I network by taking opportunities and interviews, I like to send editors press kits and pictures of my jewelry as well.

Apart from running your business, are there any other things you’re passionate about?
I love music, I like to sing and dance to relieve stress and just for fun.

What would you advise people who dream of doing what you do now?
If you want to do something, make sure you love it, and then it isn’t really work. Give it all you got, and have confidence in your business.

Any websites/ books or other resources you can recommend beginners?
If they want ideas they can get inspired by magazines or places.

What can we expect from you in the future?
I want to go to a fashion college, and learn more about fine jewelry, and how I can work with casting and gemstones. I hope to carry my line in a department store.

Who would you like to be contacted by?
I would like anyone to contact me. But especially press, editors, and other fellow designers.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 27th, 2007 at 3:24 am and is filed under Articles, North-America, Entrepreneur. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.