Reflecting on Our First Year: A Heartfelt Thank You from Jax Goldsmith

As I sit down to write this, it’s hard to believe that just over a year ago, Jax Goldsmith was nothing more than a dream. What a year it has been! I’m Jax, a master goldsmith with 35 years of experience, and this past year has been a whirlwind of hard work, excitement, and, above all, gratitude. Today, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey and express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way.

The journey to starting Jax Goldsmith wasn’t something we planned. It began with an unexpected and sudden end to my previous employment. After years of dedication, I found myself kicked to the curb by a narcissistic boss. Instead of letting it defeat me, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to finally do what I had always dreamed of—opening my own jewelry studio.

Working from home, Kevin and I repurposed some rooms in our house to create my incredible workshop. Those early days were full of uncertainty. We didn’t have a single client, and the idea of running my own business came out of the blue. We simply put our heads down and did whatever needed doing—from setting up the company to applying for licenses, buying gold and silver, and filling the workshop with all the necessary tools. Kevin, who loves woodworking, threw himself into building all of the workbenches out of reclaimed Baltic pine. His craftsmanship laid the foundation for what would become the heart of Jax Goldsmith.

Two months in, I started making jewelry. But without a retail store and the overheads that come with it, we quickly realized that we needed to find a way to reach our customers. How would people even know we existed? After much thought, we decided to attend the Ballito Farmer’s Market, which was about an hour's drive from our home. Though it was outside our comfort zone, we invested in a gazebo, built up our stock, and began our journey at the market.

Saturdays and Sundays became early mornings, sometimes as early as 4 AM, as we prepared to set up by 7. We would trade from 7 AM to 3 PM, and then make the journey back home. Our trusty Boston Terrier Yoda achieved fame (though not fortune) at the market as he was always present.

It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Over time, we realized there was a real need for our services. Customers quickly made us aware that they needed our full range of jewelry services. From repairs, to repurposing of old jewelry, to customized design and manufacturing, pearl restringing to deep polishing, rhodium plating and jewelry consulting. We understood that our customers wanted a range of jewelry, from customized, handmade upmarket pieces to more affordable, curated selections.

Within three months, we moved from our humble, wind-blown gazebo spot to a more permanent, covered location at the market. Trading from our new “home” at the Ballito Farmer’s Market for just over a year now, we’ve faced challenges, but the incredible support from our customers has more than compensated for any hardships.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to every single one of you who has supported us along the way. Your encouragement, positive Google reviews, smiles, and repeat business have been the backbone of our success. Selling jewelry is more than just a business for us—it’s about bringing happiness to people when they find something they absolutely love. We feel privileged to be able to do this and are committed to providing our customers with the best possible service. We know that if we keep that focus, everything else will follow.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that we’ll soon be launching our shop on our website, along with another online store. And don’t forget to watch this space for the official launch of our pet impression jewelry offering, which we’ve named Snoots!

Thank you again to all of our supporters. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you. Here’s to many more years of creating beautiful jewelry together.

All our love and best wishes,

Jax and Kevin