Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Lara
Monica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a Marine Biologist who worked as an Associate Professor at St Petersburg College in Clearwter FL. I had a small handmade jewelry business for many years and mostly sold online on Etsy and at the occasional art show. After my husband passed away and Covid hit it really kind of took the magic out of my life and teaching was not what it once was. I moved to WI and worked as a bench jeweler for a large chain for 10 mo but that was hugely unsatisfying, I was just exploring my town’s Main St and my loved ones encouraged me to take a chance on opening a workshop and store in one of the empty storefronts that was for rent. 4 years later I’m so glad they did! I quit my terrible job and opened Argentum Et Aurum (which means Silver and Gold in Latin). I got a 10K grant from the WI economic development initiative just weeks after I started working in my store full-time! The Governor of WI Tony Evers visited my shop and featured me in his State of the State address as the example of the success of his program. He mentioned my name 5 times! I have continued to be written about and mentioned at meetings and on their website!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I am a solopreneur so I do all the making of jewelry, buying of stock for my store and everything involved in running a business by myself. It is a demanding way of life, and making all the decisions, I question myself constantly! Financially I have been able to keep my store running borrowing almost nothing! I have a mortgage on my building but I have three apartments above the shop that help me pay bills. I opened during Covid in a largely dormant Downtown but I have been an integral part to revitalizing the business area and was invited to serve on the Downtown Partnership Board. Growing awareness of the Old Downtown rebirth as well as of my business in particular is a big job but I’m happy to say that we have been on an upward trajectory since I first opened my doors.
We’ve been impressed with Argentum Et Aurum, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own a handmade jewelry and sustainable lifestyle boutique in Fond Du Lac WI. I opened my brick and mortar in 2020. Yes, during COVID! I have been making and selling fine jewelry for around 30 years. I make jewelry from post-consumer recycled gold and silver by melting old jewelry and sterling silverware using the ancient lost-was casting technique. I am one of just a handful of jewelry artist in the world that casts their own jewelry in their studio. I make a lot of custom work out of clients’ own gold that I melt and cast into a new piece of jewelry.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I listen to Podcasts when I work. Some are:
For News: Fareed Zakaria GPS, Science Friday, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me on NPR.
On Jewelry: Rough Cut, For The Love of Jewelers, Flourish and Thrive, The Jeweler’s Academy, The Jewelry Connoisseur and A Thousand Facets
For Education:Dressed, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, People I admire, Ologies
Pricing:
- Pieces run between $40-$3000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://etsy.com/shop/phbeads
- Instagram: ArgentumEtAurum
- Facebook: ArgentumEtAurum
- Yelp: Argentum Et Aurum
