Why I Almost Closed My Jewelry Business

Hey there, everyone! Welcome back to the By Bonnie blog, where we dive into all things sparkly and precious. In 2014, I faced what I believed was the toughest challenge of my life – I battled and defeated cancer. Recently, By Bonnie celebrated its fifth anniversary. Many of you have been asking, "Bonnie, how did you start this business?" Well, I thought this blog would be the perfect opportunity to share the story of how By Bonnie came to be. 

In this post, I'm going to open up and talk about the three key things that helped me navigate this challenging journey. I must admit, it's a bit nerve-wracking to discuss such a deeply personal part of my life, one I never thought I'd be comfortable sharing through a blog or on camera (watch my Youtube video here!).

So, here we are celebrating By Bonnie's five-year anniversary, and you might be wondering, "How did you battle cancer and then decide to start a business?" Well, you see, after fighting cancer and undergoing treatment, it takes some time for your body to recover and get back to normal. But when I felt like I had conquered one of the toughest challenges in my life, I made a promise to myself not to wallow in depression forever just because I'd been through a rough patch.

My parents always instilled in me the importance of being grateful for what I had, even in the face of adversity. They taught me that there are people in the world going through far worse than I was.

So, with their wisdom in my heart, I knew I couldn't just give up on my passion for jewelry and diamonds. I've always been passionate about them, and they're in my blood.

Once I began to regain my sense of normalcy, I decided to take the plunge and start my own venture. I'd spent years learning the ins and outs of the jewelry business while working for others, and I felt it was time to begin a new chapter in my life, to create something special.

But life is never perfect, is it? On the very day I was set to open my business in 2018, I felt unwell, tired, and something felt off. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with my health. You see, after surviving cancer, any sign of illness sends you into a panic, thinking it might be a recurrence.

I started looking into my symptoms, worried about what could be happening. A week later, I got a shocking surprise – I was pregnant. 

This was unexpected because I wasn't supposed to be pregnant after undergoing radiation therapy. I felt like this pregnancy would turn my life upside down just when I was getting back on my feet and starting my business.

I wasn't prepared for it, mentally or physically. I remember doing something extraordinary – I almost convinced myself that I wasn't pregnant. I acted like it wasn't happening. I didn't Google pregnancy symptoms or baby names, like most expectant moms do. I just wasn't ready, and I was trying to protect myself from this unexpected twist of fate.

And then, just when I thought things couldn't get more complicated, the pandemic hit. It threw a barrage of obstacles in my path as I was opening my business and trying to rebuild my life. 

With all these challenges, I found myself sinking into depression, waking up every day with anxiety. I had just signed the lease for my office when the pandemic struck.

I was dealing with being a new business owner, a pregnant woman, and the weight of the world-changing around me. I was overwhelmed, but I knew I had to find a way to survive. So now, I'm going to share the three things that helped me push through all of that and reach this moment.

The first thing that got me through it all was my passion. I held on to what I loved and what drove me. I thought, "I can't give up. This is my life, my passion, and I must keep going."

Secondly, my husband was my anchor during this challenging time. I felt quite alone and stuck in a rut, thinking my life was doomed. I even questioned if I deserved all this suffering.

My husband was my unwavering support. If you're trying to build a business, having the right people around you is crucial. Toxic relationships won't help; I had to step away from some toxic aspects of my life. If you want to hear more about my journey, feel free to ask.

Lastly, my son, Julien, played a pivotal role. When I reached the six-month mark in my pregnancy, and the doctors assured me everything was fine, it was surreal. When Julien arrived, I had another reason to work harder.

I wanted to provide for him and give him everything I might not have had. Every day, I still question if I'm doing the right thing, but I keep pushing forward.

In an unexpected turn of events, I met someone during the COVID pandemic who became a mentor of sorts. I was never particularly religious, but I found faith in believing in the seemingly impossible.

So, if you're watching this and going through a tough time, remember that it's fascinating how unexpected encounters and unwavering faith can change your life.

The belief in achieving the impossible has been the driving force that brought me to this point. Consistency and resilience in what I do every day have played a significant role. I am truly grateful for your support, and it's fantastic to have over 30,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel.

Every morning, I wake up with the intention of giving my best for my family, viewers, and readers. If you enjoy my content, don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and keep visiting my website for more exciting blogs about diamonds!