It was a 50th birthday gift that gave her the idea for a business. Claire O’Hare has led strategic development and sales at cutting-edge media companies for twenty-five years, most recently at Facebook.”I left because I felt I had done all I wanted to do and I wanted more time with my children.” Claire has three kids who are now 17, 14 and 12.
The gift was a diamond crescent moon that her sister had made her and given to her on their birthday trip to Talum, Mexico. “I got so many compliments on it that I got the idea that my sister, Sue, and I should develop a line of jewelry and start with the moon.” Sue became a dentist like their father and had a background working with molds for teeth. Sue’s children, ages 20 and 21, are out of the house. She transferred her dental skills into making molds for jewelry that she would give as gifts. But now her talent would be put to use to create a complete jewelry line. The two women designed their first items a year and half ago in the Fall of 2014.
Now how to market what they had created. Claire had just finished building a beautiful barn on her property with large doors that open out to a pool. The main part of the barn has a vaulted and beamed great room with a stone fireplace. Clare says, “I asked 20 people to each ask 20 people who inspire them to come to our first “@ The Barn Party” that fall. It was incredible to hear how and why everyone inspired each other. The conversations were fantastic.” Not only that, Claire and her sister Sue were able to talk about what inspired them to start their jewelry line and showcase it to the attendees.
Claire loves the idea of having regular Barn Parties where women come to connect, share and inspire each other. “At Facebook, we used to have a council meeting where the biggest marketers would get together and share ideas. I guess I want to create the same thing in my community among women who want to connect.”
The jewelry line was first named Cinque (for 5 sisters) but Claire and Sue changed the name to Livewell so the name of the line would resonate with the kind of lifestyle they wanted their jewelry to evoke. “We believe in living well and loving more. All of the jewelry is handmade from luxurious metals and stones – many of the pieces are one of a kind. It is this combination we hope will inspire a feeling of authenticity in everyone.”
So they started with Barn Parties and are also selling the necklaces, cuffs, rings and bracelets on line. “We hope to place our one of a kind pieces in small boutiques as well.” The collection is meant to be layered and added to – start with a moon and a cool handmade chain and add a gold diamond charm down the road. Each piece will add a new and unique look – refined to industrial.”
These two sisters work well together with Sue designing and making the molds, Claire marketing the items and the two designing their life well lived together. Claire and Sue both say that creating something has been extremely rewarding. Their families agree with the teenaged children even asking them to create special designs for their friend groups.
The barn is our office when we are both in town, it’s a great place to work. “We feel that if you have an idea and a vision, you can find people you can trust to help you implement your goals.” Claire also says, “There is no better compliment than when someone says they love their Livewell piece. I feel like we are creating something small that allows people to shine a little brighter.”
The Barn is open every Friday from 9:30 – 3:30, 474 Brookside Road, New Canaan, CT.
VentureMom Tip
Let a think or place or thing of beauty and inspiration, inspire your venture.
