HH 2001 – 2026: That Makes 25
25 Reasons (mostly not in order)
To Open a Fine Jewelry Store in Downtown Durham, NC in 2001
25. We thought it would look good with the tumbleweeds blowing down the street.
24. For the pleasure of being next door to Morgan Imports. Durham misses MI!
23. To play a role in the revitalization of downtown Durham with which I fell in love at first sight in 1990. I love me an underdog, and Durham was that!
22. To play Grateful Dead on the HH sound system if I feel like it.
21. To write. Short things.
20. To unexpectedly create something in which my mother, Claire, found joy and purpose. Thanks to all who included, appreciated, loved her
19. To create a space where Michael Hamilton could execute his outstanding sense of design.
18. To have a shop for my shop dog! Miss you, Billie Girl!
17. To connect with young people I might otherwise never meet. Engagement ring clients, HH teammates, and others keep me current(ish) on trends and perspectives.
16. To learn “writing off” expenses doesn’t really mean it’s free.
15. To work hard out of passion for the product, the people, and the rewards that come in many flavors.
14. To create a certain kind of family.
13. To follow in my grandparents’ footsteps. See Sarah and George Cohen, small business owners (women’s clothing).
12. To work for myself and avoid firing myself when my performance level and output are embarrassing.
11. To miss someone else having the ultimate responsibility somedays.
10. To use the leadership skills my father insisted I had. I was a Slacker but he believed in me.
9. To work internationally without having to earn the MBA I considered.
8. To mentor, to teach, and, just when you think you can’t take one more growth experience, to learn.
7. To work with, learn from, evolve with extraordinarily talented jewelry designers from home and abroad. The list, including our own Ken Weston, is stunning.
6. To experience an enthusiastic response to our inaugural designers including Niessing, Bikakis + Johns, and Georg Spreng (image left: Spreng women).
5. To represent Niessing, still my “desert island” jeweler.” (Wink to the wonderful BBC program “Desert Island Discs.”) They have it all, that Niessing.
4. To reinforce my commitment to supporting local businesses everywhere. What a joy it is to interact with like-minded entrepreneurs.
3. To have a ball every day. Mostly.
2. To practice our mission statement … “to serve and delight!”
1. To interact with incredibly gracious, interesting, curious clients. Thank you, friends and fans, everywhere.
PS, one more thing … To be reminded every day that Hamilton Hill is a publicly funded organization. How lucky we are that you make it all possible.
