I started my business before I had my first baby. In my mind, having my own business was just the thing to make a living while raising my family. Now, that little baby is in college and my line - Zina Kao Exclusives - is sold in stores all over the world!
Back then, I had a dozen jewelry designs and a that's-interesting website. After 15 years of jewelry design and manufacturing, I added small leather goods and handmade bags to our 2000+ skus of jewelry. Everything we make is done by hand and in house.
I've been doing this long enough that anything I did before seems long ago and far away. But if it matters, I did go to MIT, I did rise in the corporate ranks and I did win the 3rd grade Easter Egg decorating contest. My next big achievement will be to finally get that website right.