154 - Laryssa Interviews Liz Kantner on Finding Your Place in the Jewelry Industry, Community, and Evolving Success
Release Date: 12/15/2025
Success With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we’re passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed. In Episode #154, we continue flipping the script — this time with Laryssa interviewing Liz. Liz shares her journey into the jewelry industry, from working in digital marketing and taking a leap across the country, to discovering the artistry, people, and community that made her stay. She opens up about what she’s...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we’re passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed. n Episode #153, we’re flipping the script: Liz interviews Laryssa to explore the story behind Joy Joya, the evolution of her career, and the lessons she’s learned from nearly a decade of helping jewelry brands grow. From leaving the East Coast, to building a marketing agency from the ground up, to navigating burnout,...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we’re passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed. In Episode #152, we’re looking ahead to 2026 and talking about how to plan for a year with more focus, intention, and balance. Whether you’re dreaming up big business goals, craving more creative space, or simply looking for a more grounded approach to the year ahead, this episode walks you through how to reflect,...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we’re passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed. In Episode #151, we’re digging into one of the most foundational (and most challenging) parts of running a creative business: truly valuing yourself. From pricing confidently to setting boundaries to recognizing your own expertise, this episode explores why so many jewelry designers struggle with self-worth—and how that...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we’re passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed. In Episode #150, we’re unpacking what truly drives jewelry purchases. Spoiler: it’s never just the piece. Jewelry is emotion, identity, celebration, connection, and memory—so when someone chooses your work, they’re choosing how they want to feel and what they want to express. 💎 In this episode, you’ll learn: ...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we're passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed. In Episode #149, we’re diving into one of the most authentic and effective ways to connect with your audience: behind-the-scenes content. Whether it’s bench shots, gemstone sourcing, or snapshots of your sketchbook, this type of content reveals the heart of your brand—and builds serious trust. 💎 In this episode,...
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Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner — two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive. In Episode #148, we’re joined by Tracey Carswell, a queer and trans non-binary coach, curator, educator, speaker, and artist whose work promotes equity for creatives and entrepreneurs. Tracey is the founder of Powerful in Pink, a platform that offers coaching, business support, curation, and community for artists and entrepreneurs, and the co-founder of Queer Metalsmiths, a space that uplifts LGBTQIA+ jewelers, metalsmiths, and...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner, two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive. In Episode #147, we’re thrilled to welcome Grace Laemmler, the talented graphic designer behind Success With Jewelry’s brand-new logo and visual identity. Grace is the owner of Shepherd Design Inc. and brings more than eight years of experience helping creative businesses—from Halifax to New York and beyond—express their unique style through thoughtful, strategic design. In this episode, we chat about the inspiration,...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner — two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive. In Episode #146, we’re talking about one of the most overlooked parts of jewelry marketing — what happens after the sale. Once someone buys from you, how do you make sure they come back again? From thoughtful post-purchase emails to segmenting your customers and building trust, we’re sharing practical ways to turn one-time buyers into lifelong fans. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why nurturing past customers can be...
info_outlineSuccess With Jewelry
Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner — two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive. In Episode #145, we’re talking about one of the most universal — yet rarely discussed — questions every business owner faces: Should I keep going? When things are easy, you rarely question your path. But when challenges hit — whether that’s slowing sales, changing industry trends, or mounting self-doubt — it can leave you wondering if it’s time to push forward, pivot, or walk away. In this honest conversation, we...
info_outlineWelcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we’re passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed.
In Episode #154, we continue flipping the script — this time with Laryssa interviewing Liz. Liz shares her journey into the jewelry industry, from working in digital marketing and taking a leap across the country, to discovering the artistry, people, and community that made her stay. She opens up about what she’s learned from years of working closely with independent designers, how her services and perspective have evolved alongside a rapidly changing industry, and what truly helps jewelry brands stand out today.
This conversation is reflective, honest, and deeply human — touching on creativity, burnout, community, identity, and redefining success in a way that feels grounded and sustainable.
💎 In this episode, you’ll learn:
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How Liz unexpectedly entered the jewelry industry and why she never left
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What working for Todd Reed taught her about craftsmanship, storytelling, and the power of people
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Why community plays such a critical role in long-term success for jewelry designers
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How Liz’s business evolved from social media management to education and mentorship
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Why chasing trends and bending your brand to fit buyers can lead to losing focus
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What truly helps jewelry brands stand out in a crowded market
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How Liz defines creativity — and why it doesn’t always look the way we expect
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How her definition of success has shifted toward calm, fulfillment, and local connection
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Her best advice for designers just starting out today
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Designers, books, and creative ideas currently inspiring her
🔒 Insider Bonus – What You’ll Hear When You Join:
This episode continues with a deeper, more vulnerable insiders-only conversation where Liz and Laryssa go behind the scenes on self-doubt, imposter syndrome, personal evolution, and the emotional side of running a creative business.
👉 Love this teaser? Unlock the full insider episode at https://patreon.com/SuccesswithJewelry for instant access and more exclusive content.
About Your Hosts
Liz Kantner helps independent jewelry artists find their voices and thrive in today’s marketplace through consulting, digital strategy, and her Stay Gold Collective community. Learn more at lizkantner.com.
Laryssa Wirstiuk is the founder and creative director of Joy Joya, a digital marketing agency for jewelry brands. She’s also the author of Jewelry Marketing Joy and the creator of JoyDeck, a platform that makes marketing easier for jewelry designers. Discover more at joyjoya.com.