Dana’s Goldsmithing, an Ontario-based company specializing in jewelry redesigns and custom work, recently redesigned its workplace: Company founder Dana Smith says two of her team members are now officially her business partners.
Store manager Linda Bruno and production manager Kyra Martin have bought into the company, which Smith started in 1992 and operated on her own for many years. Bruno and Martin are also jewelry designers, and each possesses unique skills and talents, says Smith. With this succession plan arranged, Dana’s Goldsmithing’s future—and Smith’s ability to balance life with work—shines as bright as a diamond, she says.
“It’s been a long time coming, and it took more work than people might think. But the evolution was worth it. Seeing it come to fruition and working seamlessly is really amazing,” Smith says.
“My kids weren’t interested in the business, and at age 54, I was looking ahead to the future,” she explains. “I wanted a little bit more freedom, but I felt like I didn’t have any options. For a lot of mom-and-pop jewelry shops, you have only so many alternatives, and clearing your inventory and closing shop tends to be the most common one.”
While she’s had dreams of retirement, Smith has still wanted to work—but she’s also wanted to enjoy time with her husband and get out of the Canadian winters to play golf. She thought about finding business partners in the past but didn’t have the right people in the right positions back then.
Because she founded the company herself, Smith admits it was hard to give up the reins. However, she left the bench long ago and understood she needed people in place who wanted to do that part of the business.
After Smith started working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic—using Zoom and other technology to share design documents—the Florida snowbird dream became that much more possible, she says.
Bruno and Martin are terrific collaborators and communicators, Smith says, and they too are seeking a work-life balance. Bruno just got married, and Martin is engaged to be married this Thanksgiving.
“I’m in a mentorship role now, which is interesting because I was such a micromanager when it was just me,” says Smith. “The fact that I’m able to let go a little bit with these two is phenomenal. It’s shocking, actually. They really believe in me. I believe in them. There’s a lot of trust.”
Two weeks after the business partnership papers were signed, Smith nd her husband closed on a home in a Florida golf community. She looks forward to the years ahead with excitement.
“You need to know your goals, and mine were to do what you love as well both personally and professionally,” she says.
Top: Dana’s Goldsmithing founder Dana Smith (center) and her new business partners, Linda Bruno (left) and Kyra Martin. (Photos courtesy of Dana’s Goldsmithing)
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