Featured Interview: Jamie Dadant, Circle of Sentiments

The following interview was written by Startup Princess Writer, Jessica Cryer.

I absolutely love these charm necklaces from Circle of Sentiments. They are the cutest reminders of the ones you love the most. Jamie Dadant, founder of Circle of Sentiments, quit her job in the corporate world after giving birth to twin boys. By staying at home Jamie was able to make her wish of owning her own business come true. She started on on-line baby boutique that included hand stamped custom made jewelry among other things. The jewelry became so popular that Jamie decided to focus solely on the jewelry and Circle of Sentiments was born!

Circle of Sentiments offers simple chains with sterling silver or copper disc engravable charms. Choose your charms and then have it engraved with your spouse or baby’s name or initial. Or buy Grandma a cute charm bracelet with the initials of all her grandchildren. I love them all, but my favorite is the Birthday necklace also referred to as “Mommy Jewelry.” It’s a sterling silver necklace with two discs; one with your baby’s name and the other for the baby’s birth date. How sweet.

Wouldn’t you love to receive one of these as a gift? The website offers a “drop a hint” link. Provide the name of the product you want and the information on the person whom you’d like to receive your “hint” and Circle of Sentiments will take care of the rest.

Enjoy Meeting Startup Princess, Jamie Dadant!

Name: Jamie Dadant

Hometown: Newark, Ca.

Current Residence: Anaheim, Ca.

Education: BA degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara

Professional Background: Prior to staying at home with my kids, I worked in the Marketing department at the Disneyland Resort.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Teacher

What you are: Stay at home mom, with a web-based business.

Company Website? http://www.circleofsentiments.com

What inspired you? I’ve always wanted to have my own business. After quitting my corporate job to be a stay at home mom, I started my first business, an online baby boutique. One of the many items sold on my site was a line of hand stamped jewelry that I created. The jewelry became really popular. I’ve since made the decision to switch my focus to only selling jewelry, thus Circle of Sentiments was created.

How did you fund it? My start-up costs were pretty minimal, so I was able to fund it through personal savings. Since then, I’ve taken all profits and put them back into the business in order to continue to grow the business.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? All the entrepreneurial moms that I’ve meet through the process of starting my business have inspired me. It’s been so amazing to talk with other moms who are living the same dream as I am.

Current Business Challenge? Trying to figure out how to gain more exposure to my site without a big marketing/ advertising budget.

What are you doing about it? Slowly investing in different opportunities to see where the best return is.

Favorite motivational quote: “I’d rather pursue a dream and gain the experience of failure, than dream a dream and never pursue it”

Family? Paul, my wonderful husband. Ryan and Zachary, my two precious little boys.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I try to separate the time I spend with my kids from the time I spend working. I want to make sure that when I’m with my kids, my focus is with them.

Favorite book? The only books I get to read these days are children’s books! My favorite is The Hungry Caterpillar.

What do you do to relax? Watch TV at night with my hubby.

What do you want to change most about your world? Although my world is certainly not perfect, I feel very fortunate with what I have been given in this life and I really wouldn’t change anything.

What are you most proud of? I’m proud of being a mom.

What advice would you like to offer other Startup Princesses? Try! You’ll never know if you don’t try.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds, of course!