Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Gisondi.
Hi Aimee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a creative side. Art and band were my favorite classes growing up, and you could usually find me building elaborate Lego creations, decorating my Barbie dream house, bedazzling my clothes, or sketching something in a notebook. That creativity followed me to college in the late ’90s, where I stumbled across a bead store on King Street while attending the College of Charleston. I decided to try my hand at making jewelry, and before long, I was gifting handmade pieces to friends and family for birthdays and holidays. At the time, I had no idea it could turn into something more. Etsy didn’t exist, there was no Instagram, and iPhones weren’t even a thing—so the idea of turning this hobby into a business wasn’t on my radar.
Fast forward to 2015. I was living in New Jersey, commuting into New York City every day to work as an executive assistant at a finance firm. I was also a mom of two, juggling everything while trying to keep a sense of myself. One day at work, I was chatting with a friend about her creative writing projects and admitted how envious I was that she had a creative outlet. She looked at me and said, “You live in the best city in the world—you can do anything. What do you want to do?” Without hesitation, I said, “I want to make jewelry.” And she said, “So do it.”
That moment flipped a switch. I found a metalsmithing class in the city and signed up immediately. It sounded thrilling—cutting metal, using fire, creating something beautiful with my own hands. I ended up taking about 16 of those classes, spending three hours every Monday night at the studio after a full workday. I wouldn’t get home until 10 p.m., only to wake up the next morning and head right back into the city.
My husband Tommy found a little jeweler’s bench on Facebook Marketplace, and we carved out a small space at home so I could start building my dream. Together, we came up with the name Gypsy & Gem, and I hired a designer on Etsy to create my logo—one I still use today. I started making jewelry for friends, for the girls at daycare who were getting married, and for my own little creative joy. I even tried setting up an Etsy store, but I had no idea how to run an online shop and only made a couple of sales.
In 2021, now living in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and on the other side of the pandemic, I started seeing local markets pop up on Instagram. I noticed other jewelry makers setting up booths and thought, “I can do that.” I applied to the Fort Mill Farmers Market, paid the $5 fee, got my business insurance, and set up my table. That market still holds a special place in my heart—the community it brings together is like no other.
For years, I lived a double life: corporate job by day, jewelry maker by night, and market vendor on weekends. It was exhausting—but I loved it. I did this for nearly four years while still working full-time as an EA at a finance firm in SC.
In May 2025, I finally hit a crossroads. I realized I couldn’t grow Gypsy & Gem into what I knew it could be while still working full-time. But it wasn’t just about the hours—it was also about the energy. The difference between the corporate world and the small business community was a world apart. In corporate, things often felt transactional and isolating. But in the small business world, I felt supported, inspired, and surrounded by people who genuinely wanted to see each other succeed. It was collaborative, not competitive—and once you experience that kind of community, it’s hard to stay chained to the 9–5 grind.
So, I made the leap—I left my job and went all in. It was terrifying, yes—but also the best decision I’ve ever made. For my mental health, for my family, for my creativity—it changed everything.
Then, on my birthday—June 7th, 2025—I got a text from a former consignment partner. She had a retail space opening up inside her shop and asked if I’d be interested in renting it. It felt like the universe was nudging me forward. I was already working with a Shopify developer, planning branding shoots with a photographer, and now—this?
So, I said yes.
By the end of June, I had signed the lease, launched my website, and had a brand-new retail space to call my own. Gypsy & Gem officially opened its doors on July 19, 2025, and the support from the community, my family, and my friends was overwhelming. It was more than I ever imagined.
This journey has been full of twists and turns, but every challenge led me to this exact moment. I’m building something that feels entirely aligned with who I am—creative, bold, and unapologetically me. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the corporate grind. This chapter of my life is about freedom, intention, and creating beauty on my own terms—and I’m just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been so many challenges—raising a family while working a full-time job, and still trying to build a small business on the side. Even though I majored in Business Administration, I had no real idea how to start or run a business of my own. From what I remember, most of my classes were geared toward working for big corporations—not creating something from scratch.
Back in 2015, I didn’t know anyone offering support for small makers. There weren’t online classes or visible communities showing how to build a product-based business or grow a shop on Etsy. Local markets weren’t on my radar the way they are now. So this dream of making jewelry felt like something that could only live on the sidelines—a creative outlet, not a career.
On top of that, I was a working mom. Most days were packed with back-to-back responsibilities—work deadlines, school pickups, sports practices, appointments, dinner, laundry. Finding time for myself—or for building a brand—felt nearly impossible. And when I did find a sliver of time, I had to push through imposter syndrome and self-doubt. I’d wonder, Is this really something I can do? Am I just pretending at this?
And then there’s social media—basically becoming a marketing manager overnight with no formal training. Learning how to brand my business, create content, post consistently, and build a community online was overwhelming. Everyone makes it look easy, but it’s a full-time job in itself. I was doing it all while also figuring out how to set up a website, track inventory, manage finances, and work in platforms like QuickBooks and Shopify—usually late at night, when the rest of my world was finally quiet.
But one of the most physically exhausting parts? The markets. People see the cute setup and beautiful jewelry—but they don’t see the two-hour process of setting up tents, tables, displays, and literally building a boutique from scratch every weekend. Then standing and working for hours—sometimes in 100-degree heat or 30-degree wind chills—only to pack it all up, break it down, and haul it home again. It’s grueling, and it gets harder the older you get.
I didn’t have the money to hire help in the early days, so I bootstrapped everything, piecing it all together just to keep the dream alive. But what I’ve learned is: if you want something bad enough, you will figure it out. Maybe not perfectly. Maybe not all at once. But just enough to keep going.
Now that I’m doing this full time, I’ve finally been able to bring on the right people to help me grow. I no longer have to do it all alone—and that support has made all the difference. For the first time, I’m not just running—I’m building something with roots.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create handmade jewelry using gold-filled, rose gold-filled, and sterling silver materials. Each piece is designed and crafted by me, often using techniques I learned through metalsmithing classes, paired with a lot of creative experimentation. Sometimes I sketch out a concept based on a technique I want to try or a gemstone I can’t stop thinking about—and sometimes I just dive in and let the materials guide me. Some pieces turn out beautifully… and others are total duds. But that’s part of the process I love—letting creativity lead.
I work with a variety of genuine gemstones—some polished, others raw. There’s something about a raw stone, with all its natural texture and character, set against shiny gold that just makes people stop and say “oooh” and “ahhh.” It’s organic meets luxe, and it never gets old.
My pieces tend to lean toward the dainty side—modern shapes with a classic touch, designed to be worn for years without going out of style. Using gold-filled materials not only gives the jewelry that high-end look, but it also ensures durability. It’s more affordable than solid gold, but stronger and made to last—often for decades.
I’d describe my aesthetic as a unique mix of modern, classic, and a touch of boho. I love working with geometric shapes, natural textures, and rich, earthy stones to create a balance of softness and edge. I’m proud that my pieces are handmade, thoughtfully designed, and almost always under $150. It’s important to me to create something that feels luxurious, meaningful, and accessible.
What really sets my work apart, though, isn’t just the jewelry—it’s the connection. I love being in front of my customers, whether it’s at a market, in the shop, or through a DM. Watching which pieces they’re drawn to, hearing their stories, or helping them pick out a gift with intention—that interaction means everything to me. Yes, my pieces are one-of-a-kind because they come straight from my hands, but it’s the relationship and trust I build with my customers that has truly helped Gypsy & Gem grow.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is that every piece I create is made with high-quality materials and designed to last. I never want someone to buy a piece from me only to have it fall apart or tarnish within weeks. I take a lot of pride in making jewelry that’s not only beautiful, but durable—something my customers can wear for years. And if something does go wrong? I’ll always do my best to make it right. If I can fix it, I will. If I can’t, I’ll do everything I can to replace it. And if that’s not possible, we’ll find a new piece you love—with a nice discount as a thank you for your trust.
But beyond the jewelry itself, community has become one of the most meaningful parts of this journey. Being part of the small business world—especially among other women, creatives, and solopreneurs—has been absolutely life-changing. After spending years in corporate environments where it often felt like every man (or woman) for themselves, stepping into a space of true support and collaboration has been a breath of fresh air.
The people I’ve met along the way don’t just want to succeed—they want everyone to succeed. We lift each other up, we share resources, we celebrate the wins together. Some of these people have become true friends, and I don’t take that lightly.
To be surrounded by a community that values kindness over competition and support over scarcity—that’s something I will never take for granted. The energy is different here. It’s generous, it’s encouraging, and it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gypsyandgem.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gypsyandgem/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gypsyandgem/
