TAGazine | VOL. 9 (Pre-Primetime Emmys) | Page 7

Ruthie Youngman Love Your Bling® Jewelry I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker that has worked in the mental health field for many years. After teaching my patients various crafts as a way to cope with stress and anxiety, I personally became addicted to beading. Co-workers started asking for specific themes like tea-cup jewelry, or custom bridal sets and my hobby quickly turned into a business. I have been able to grow it from a small Etsy shop into a stand-alone ecommerce site. “Rose gold has been my favorite trend in jewelry. The metal is feminine and classic, and pairs well with all skin tones.” What’s the hardest part about running your own business? It is a constant challenge to balance work and home life. When you run a home-based business boundaries get blurred, and you find yourself working until 3am, or answering customer questions while on vacation. I try to keep everything organized but it doesn’t always work out. How has your personal approach shaped your business? I have always made customer service my number one priority. I follow the golden rule in that I treat my customers, as I would expect to be treated. That has translated into positive relationships and return customers as well as a consistent five-star Etsy rating. What goals do you have in store for the future of your business? My goal is to work towards merging my background in mental health with inspiring women to highlight that which makes them unique, to build their confidence and self esteem, thus empowering them to “Love Your Bling.” Are there any moments that stand out for you over the years? These days it is exciting to see yourself in print, so having had my designs published in two national craft magazines has been a highlight for me. LoveYourBling.com TAGazine | 7