The Tin Shingle Blog

Everything about jewelry designer Christine Mighion's path to finding her talent, passion and career is precious, as precious as the stones she works with. And fashion magazines including Lucky, Vogue Spain and Mexico, and Self have all recognized her jewelry line of the same name, www.christinemighion.com.

Christine's story is an example of someone waking up from a career, saying "How did I get here?" and trying to listen to her inner voice, but not hearing it exactly. It wasn't until a physical injury was Christine able to stop her world as she knew it, and listen  to a whim. And you'll never guess what her first career was in: dental hygiene.

What inspired you to get started?
Pursuing a creative career was something I always wanted to do, but I was pushed by my family to consider a more practical direction. After the birth of our second child and an injury from the birthing process, I found myself happily at home giving up my 40 hour a week career. Like many mothers that give so much of themselves to their families, I found myself needing to do something that was all my own. I began taking a metalsmithing class at a local museum and fell in love with working a piece of raw metal into a beautiful form. My husband had one goal for me and that was to get me back into his office working in some capacity by the time our son went to kindergarten. My goal was different. I wanted to create a solid business by the time our son went to kindergarten so that I never needed to go back into the office, and that's just what I did.     

What was your background? Was it in what you were doing now?
I have one degree in dental hygiene and a second in liberal arts. In my second year of dental school, I knew that it wasn't my passion. At one point, the head of the school knowing my heart wasn't into it sat me down and asked if I thought about going into art or fashion design. Oh, definitely! Unfortunately, I did not have the freedom to change directions at that time in my life. After college I worked in dentistry for a couple of years then moved to Hawaii where I was employed by the Easter Seal Society working with adults with developmental disabilities. I think that was the first job I ever truly loved. It opened my eyes to the unrecognized beauty of individuals that society turned their eyes away from.

Once I moved back from Hawaii and had my daughter I decided to go back into dental hygiene so that I could work part time while making a good salary. My husband is a dentist and we worked together, so stepping away from that was hard for him.   

What challenge have you had to face that led to a big growth for your company?
I'm continually challenged to listen to what I enjoy doing within my business and follow this voice although it may not be conventional. When I first started down the path of growth, I understood that I could only grow successfully if I branched out into retail. I made collections for the first time, when I was used to creating one of a kind pieces, and I found the whole process frustrating. I quickly got burnt out from repetitive fabrication and really didn't feel like I was growing in a way that was fulfilling or healthy. I loved making each piece myself and interacting with my clients, so I really didn't want to have to hire production assistant. After a pouring over the very difficult decision for several weeks, I decided to pull out of my retail accounts and go back to creating one of a kind and limited edition pieces. I was immediately happier and these pieces fly out of my shop. My clients continue to enjoy having an exclusive piece and tell me how much they love having direct access to me, the designer. I have an incredibly high rate of repeat customers and referrals, so it's validating to design my business my way and be very successful at it.    

What do you have going on in your business right now that you're excited about?    
Philanthropy has been a huge part of my business since the first quarter I turned a profit. I absolutely love giving back as I feel so lucky to get up and do what I love everyday. This year, I have donated nearly $15k in money or product donations and it feels great! However, I've found myself wanting to add a "hands on" component and I'm currently in discussions with a local charity for what I think will be a really amazing project! This charity supports women coming from abusive situations gain confidence and discover their creative talents that they will hopefully use to create their own businesses. I hope to supply their studio with the tools and materials needed for basic jewelry making techniques and then teach these skills one day a week.

Where would you love to see your business in 5 years?
Honestly, my vision of success may seem a bit unconventional, but I'm still excited to see what each day brings along the way. My goals are fairly simple. I want to continue to enjoy what I'm doing each day and if I don't then I will reinvent my work life. I want to be able to give my clients a piece of jewelry that they fall in love with and continue to better myself as a business owner and person. Finally, what I would really love see in 5 years is that I was able to move my studio back to Hawaii where I could not only continue to support the marine environmental charitable organizations that I love monetarily, but hands on as well.

Media outlets across the country - in fact around the world - have spent much of November reporting about the devastation that accompanied Hurricane Sandy.  Several of these reports also highlighted the lack of response that many of the impacted areas were dealing with.  Here at Tin Shingle we've also been highlighting the storm's blow to so many who are part of the small business community to which we all belong. This steady stream of bad news can be depressing, but we know it is our duty to share with all of you.

That said, out of the mass destruction have come stories of hope. Of neighbors helping neighbors and even more powerful: of strangers helping those who they did not know but who they saw needed help.  These stories of people coming together to support, aid and rebuild are stories that we believe deserve just as much recognition as those of loss, as they are all part of the Sandy Surivial Stories tapestry.

It is with great honor that we bring you our first of these happier Sandy stories, by highlighting the work of entrepreneur, brand ambassador and true "Sandy Angel" Jennifer Walsh of Behind the Brand Media.  Though Jennifer is a nationally recognized small business star, where has really been shining over the past month is in her dedication to serving her home (she's a native New Yorker) and all of those impacted by Sandy.  You can follow this journey of service via her blog (I highly encourage you to do so).

Admit it:  though many of us may fantasized about renting a car and going to help those in the far reaches of New York and New Jersey who were slammed by the storm, few of us had the time or ability to do so, due in part to personal or professiona committments.  Not Jen.  The DAY AFTER SANDY she was mobilizing not only herself but scores of other people who joined her in handing out food, gathering supplies (her own apartment became a drop off center bursting at the seems with donations), even finding a car (repeatedly) to drive out to the hardest hit areas and help.

When the news of the storm became, well, yesterday's news and public interest waned, Jen's determination to help did not.  She put her work on hold and continued to travel to those areas hit by Sandy and bring car loads of supplies along with her trademark optimism and hope.

Like many of us, Jen could have made excuses, could have focused more on herself or could have said, "what can I do?".  Instead, she rose to the occasion and channeled the same determination and energy it takes to be a successful entrepreneur towards doing something for the greater good.

Jennifer Walsh we salute you!  We're proud you're not only a part of the New York community but the small business community we are all linked together in thanks to the choices we've all made to follow our hearts and passions!

Jenn is still taking all donations for many everyday items. Please feel free to email her to find out how you can get donations to her so she can hand out personally to those most affected: jennifer@behindthebrandmedia.com

Though the holiday was officially Thanksgiving this past weekend, from watching the social media newsfeeds and televison reports, you'd think we were celebrating all things shopping and the "Feast of All Things on Sale". 

While we celebrate holidays that bring dollars to the doors (brick & mortar and virtual) of small business owners, we think everyone could use a reminer as to what the theme of the Thanksgiving season truly is: gratitude.

With that we give you a look at what some of our own Tin Shingle members are thankful for this holiday season!

Small Business Gratitude...."I'm thankful for..."

• Loving my work and my clients….Focusing on my work helped me deal with and overcome cancer this year.  I am very blessed to do what I love to do. Carolyn Akel (pictured above), Akel Ventures

• I am very thankful for my supportive friends & family, as well as my incredible team! I am also thankful to work with business owners and entrepreneurs who are as passionate about their businesses, as I am about PR.  Connie Wong, Moderne Press

• I am thankful for the people that have come in and ironically out of my life.  I would be lost without the support and encouragement that I receive from loved ones daily. I appreciate the influence of like minded friends and the determination I am able to find within myself each day.  Nadia Murdock, NadiaMurdockFit.com and Manchester Public Relations

• I am so thankful that I have the support of my family, friends and customers! This year I was able to take my handmade jewelry business full-time (after “overnight” success of over 10 years) and am living the dream of being self-employed. It’s so empowering to own my own business – it is really forcing me to think about what makes me happy and how to best spend my time. I love it and I love being a part of the small business community!  Peggy Li, Peggy Li Creations

• I'm thankful that I chose to have it all. My career is expanding. My house semi-survived the store. Best of all, I'm expecting my first child. Business before boyfriends and babies is one of the worst lines I've ever heard. My successes are that much sweeter thanks to the man I get to share them with. I'm grateful I made room for it all!  Pamela Pekerman, Pamela Pekerman Productions, On-air expert, brand spokesperson.

• This year is special since I had 2 family members displaced from their homes because of sandy, I am truly thankful they are safe and getting their lives and homed back in order slowly. I am thankful for good health and happiness in my life and family around me. I am forever thankful for my fortunate life and to have the opportunity to wake up every single morning to do what I adore. Dawn Del Russo, Stylist & On-Air Fashion Expert

• I'm thankful for my passion because it has led me to create Hello Perfect and enabled me to find something I absolutely love doing. It continues to help me grow and motivates me to accomplish my dreams. Passion is what ignites the unique fire within us all.  Alexa Carlin, Hello Perfect.

• I am thankful for a supportive and loving family. Trustworthy and honest friends. An understanding and kind boyfriend and a cat whose lymphoma is under control and is hopefully on her way to remission and that my hard work is starting to really pay off because of my help from Tin Shingle!!  Emily Elizabeth Kolins, Emily Elizabeth Jewelry

We've been keeping our ears to the ground about where to donate for Sandy relief. We wanted to know that our dollars were going directly into the pockets of people impacted. With so many different areas devastated, we weren't sure where to start.

After much consideration, we're taking the approach of directly helping our small business friends in need. Today, we donated to Kiddie Designs after learning of her plight in Hoboken, NJ, to help her find a new studio and get more painting supplies to fulfill her orders. I know my daughter loves the stool that Tracey painted for her, so we want to be sure that she paints a lot more of them. Click here to donate to Tracey's fund, and get her into a new studio.

Next, we're going to be putting together a care package for Mariann at Just Bubbly. We're going to keep her fueled with coffee and batteries, and not just any coffee but good coffee. And a pound of sugar even though she "takes one sugar" when we asked her. Because even if you have nothing, you still have your decency, and deserve a good cup of coffee in the morning.