OLGA PRIETO - OLGA PRIETO JEWELRY

Another brave woman, who decided to change her established path and follow in the footsteps of her great passion: jewelry.

We are talking about our dear Olga Prieto (@olgaprietojoyas).

Olga is Olga Prieto, her jewelry is a reflection of her personality, her special way of interpreting the world through handmade work and precious stones.

Her showroom/shop, located at Jorge Juan 37, where she welcomes us, is a world apart, surrounded by art and original objects. Her jewels blend perfectly with the environment; they simply flow.

Hello Olga, how lovely to see you! Thank you so much for welcoming us to your showroom, everything here is so beautiful...

Thank you, yes! I've been wanting to see you for ages, it's hard to get together with all the traveling. I love my showroom, how could I not love it when it's my home! (laughs). I've always liked to have jewelry pieces as if they were decorative objects, for pieces to live alongside books, art. I surround them with beautiful things collected over the years. My jewelry tells my story, where I come from, what I love, what inspires me, and what I am. 

Olga, if we start from the beginning, what led you to create your jewelry brand?

Life itself! (laughs). I studied pharmacy, nothing to do with this, and in 2002 I moved to Caracas for love, and then to Mexico, where I discovered a fascinating world, full of energy, light, color, but above all, craftsmanship, and I realized how beautiful something unique is, something that has no mold.

I met an artisan in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the city, and I fell in love with his pieces; however, I thought they were missing something or had something extra… one day, I dared to go to his workshop, we started working together, first making pieces for myself, and very soon, seeing the success they had, I decided to venture into this wonderful world of jewelry, and turn that passion into a business. Today, almost 20 years later, we are still working together.

What did you realize?

I discovered that I was completely happy making jewelry, that I was passionate about unique pieces, those that have no mold. In Mexico, on every corner, on every street, you can see an artisan making a unique piece. My jewelry is inspired by stones; I started traveling in search of them. I like many, I look for irregular, large ones. One of the first I worked with was obsidian, a wonderful Mexican volcanic glass that features in one of my most emblematic pieces, the Vulcano necklace.

When you created the brand, what did you want to achieve?

To turn my passion for jewelry and handmade work in Mexico into value, to take it with me everywhere, to make sure that beautiful know-how inherited from many generations is not lost. I started creating the brand, the logo… I took the leap to national fairs first, Mexico City and Guadalajara, but also international ones in New York, Berlin, Paris… And I realized that my pieces were very well received.

I started selling in special stores in boutique hotels, galleries, jewelry stores, and although tempting, I haven't had my own sales point until now. I always tell myself that my pieces are forever; well cared for, they last a lifetime. Even today, I get emotional when clients come to see me with my creations from 2004/2005, telling me they never take them off, that they look like new, and that they love them. It fills me with satisfaction.

Any turning point in your business?
 
I became a mother of three children in three years without my family nearby, and it was very hard. I could no longer keep up such a crazy pace of fairs, trips… without neglecting them. I rethought things, reduced travel, and set up the showroom at home. I couldn't forget that my reality was now different; it was Olga Prieto + 3 more little people I had to take care of.
 
What's the balance after all these years? Almost 20 years…
 
In my life, it's hard to separate the professional and the personal; they constantly intertwine. So, on a personal level, I would say it has been tough, starting a business with 3 children outside my country; you have to live it to understand. But at the same time, it has been an incredible experience, for my family, also the people I have met, everything I have lived, the magical moments of starting something new that you are passionate about and seeing it grow, all the experiences that mark you… I can say that my heart and soul are full.
And more professionally, I think now I would take things more calmly, but of course, that comes with age. But in general, the balance could not be more positive and satisfactory.
 
Any key person who always helped you?
 
Undoubtedly, my generous friends, those who have lived with me and have become my family. They have always supported me, given me their shoulder to cry on, and also their time to laugh. My mother also helped a lot by coming to Mexico every time I needed her. They have a lot to do with the success of Olga Prieto.

What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to take the plunge?

Get out of your comfort zone and DARE! In life, many opportunities lead you to others you didn't expect. You have to think it through, find the right moment, and crunch the numbers. If you're not good with numbers like me (laughs), get someone to help you, but this is something you have to look into. Understand that it will be very hard because you will be very alone and you will make many mistakes that you have to digest and learn from.

You have to be willing to give yourself body and soul, but the satisfaction of creating something from scratch is enormous. Don't let a lack of experience hold you back. Study, train in what you believe in, and don't forget that you also learn along the way.

And finally, which WASACS would represent you?

Oh, I know exactly! The small bag, the Mini Aude, in tobacco tone, I love it. I love small bags in general, and I really like the WASACS one; I wear it cross-body or as a shoulder bag. I really like the leather, the smell, and especially seeing how it has evolved, how it has adapted to me, to my life. 

Olga, thank you so much for this delightful coffee in such a magical, art-filled place. It was a pleasure to see you, to talk to you; we take away many good tips.

Congratulations on your project, may you continue to achieve success, and may we be here to see it!

Thank you, Cristina, let's meet again whenever you like.