Hannah Florman, a 36-year-old former corporate lawyer, left her high-pressure job to pursue her passion for jewelry design. Her custom fine jewelry business, Hannah Florman Fine Jewelry, now brings in seven figures in yearly sales. Florman's journey to becoming a jewelry designer wasn't always part of her plan. She graduated from Tulane University with a degree in political science and later earned her J.D. from Northeastern Law School in Boston. After working at a corporate law firm, she found the high-intensity, high-pressure environment draining. She decided to transition to working part-time at her law firm to explore other options. Florman's passion for jewelry design was sparked by a gap in the local market for custom fine jewelry. She identified a need for unique, personalized pieces and decided to try designing jewelry herself. She left her law firm for good in 2016 and spent six months studying at the Gemological Institute of America. Her business acumen and connections in the high-end watch business helped her build relationships with vendors and diamond dealers. Florman's workflow evolved as she realized that physically making jewelry wasn't her strong suit. She focused on her strengths and outsourced the rest. Her business grew, and she now has three permanent employees and operates her jewelry showroom in a brownstone on Newbury Street in Boston. Building strong relationships with clients is the backbone of her business model. She starts the custom jewelry process with an introductory phone call, allowing her to get to know the client. During the design meeting, she presents several sketches and sources diamonds to create the perfect piece. The entire process typically takes around 6 to 8 weeks. Florman requires a minimum budget of $7,500 for custom fine jewelry pieces and $15,000 for custom bridal jewelry. She has achieved her personal goal of paying herself the same salary she made in her law job within five years, which has helped her feel financially secure. Florman's business continues to thrive, and she is exploring the ready-to-wear market to make her jewelry more accessible. She prioritizes balancing her growing business with her family life, ensuring she can be present for her children's important moments. Her children see her building something and being passionate about it, which she finds meaningful. Florman's story inspires those seeking a better work-life balance and a more fulfilling career.
