Community is at the heart of the Stay Gold Collective—it’s what inspired it in the first place, and it’s what keeps me going every day, both personally and professionally. I’m lucky to live in a town and neighborhood where community matters, and it’s something I value deeply.
As jewelers, I know how isolating it can be to work alone in the studio or at your bench. That’s why I asked you all, through a recent giveaway, to share what community means to you. I loved reading your responses and many of them resonated with me, so I wanted to share some of them with you:
“Community is the thread that connects us, no matter where we are in the world.”
This one hits me hard. It speaks to the global, yet deeply personal nature of community. Whether you’re in a shared workspace, a digital network, or just on the same creative wavelength, that invisible thread connects us all. It makes us feel like part of something bigger than ourselves, no matter the distance or time zone.
“I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am without my business and life communities. They are what keep me going, support me when I need it, and bring so much goodness to life!”
This is the real power of community—it keeps you going. In business, in life, when things are tough or when you’re celebrating wins, community provides support. It gives you that sense of belonging and helps you grow, both personally and professionally. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without my own communities—business and life alike.
“To me, community means supporting and uplifting one another through the ups and downs. It means sharing resources, mutual aid, and letting go of the stark individuality that most of us have grown up under.”
This really resonates with me. Community challenges that individualistic mindset many of us have been taught. It’s not about going it alone—it’s about sharing resources, lifting others up, and realizing we’re all in this together. It’s about strength in numbers, where collaboration and mutual support are key.
“Community is love, support, and strength.”
Short and sweet, but it says everything. Community is that love and strength that helps us get through tough times. It’s the support we need to keep moving forward, to keep creating, and to keep growing. Community lifts us up when we feel down, and encourages us to keep going.
“Community is a space where you feel like you belong among like-minded people. There is no gatekeeping—rather, sharing of resources and honesty in business successes and failures.”
This is what I hope the Stay Gold Collective is all about—openness and authenticity. A space where you feel like you truly belong, surrounded by people who get it. There’s no competition, just sharing, learning, and growing together. It’s about being open about what’s working and what isn’t, and supporting each other through both the wins and the challenges.
“I think as a designer, working alone mostly, this gives me an actual sense of community. Community is necessary not only for a human’s longevity but for a business’s as well.”
For independent creatives, like designers, having a sense of community can make all the difference. Working alone can get lonely, but when you find a group of like-minded people, it feels like you finally have a support system. It’s not just about staying sane—it’s about growing your business and staying inspired.
“What the community means to me is that feeling that someone’s got my back. It can get lonely in the studio. But when I tune into a Stay Gold chat live or turn on a replay, that lonely feeling goes away. It’s like we are one big constellation of individual stars.”
This one is so relatable. Working alone can feel isolating, but when you tap into a community like the Stay Gold Collective, you realize you’re not alone. It’s like a constellation—each person shining on their own, but together creating something beautiful and powerful. Community makes all the difference.
“Community is the foundation upon which we build everything: our family, our careers, our overall well-being. Because of our community, we are who we are, and for that community, we do what we do.”
Community is the foundation of everything. It shapes who we are, it supports us, and it gives us purpose. Without our communities, our careers and our personal growth wouldn’t be the same. It’s what allows us to create, to thrive, and to contribute back.
At its core, community is about connection, support, and shared growth. It’s where we learn, grow, and celebrate together. It’s where we can be ourselves, share our experiences, and lift each other up. Whether you're just starting out or you’ve been doing this for a while, community is what keeps us moving forward.
Stay gold, always. ✨
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