I really wanted to be a writer. When I was younger, I was quite nerdy about reading and always had my head stuck in a novel. I wrote all these children’s stories when I was growing up and I’d like to think that lockets are about people’s stories. Although I didn’t quite make it as an author – I did publish a couple of books on organic living – it all transcended to where it was meant to be in the first place.

There are two factors. One was that my uncle had a stand in Grays Inn, which is one of the best antique jewellery markets in London. It’s closing down a bit now but, during the Seventies and Eighties, it was the place in the world to go and find antique jewellery. He had one of the biggest stands in Grays and I’d often go and play with all the jewellery. I was particularly obsessed with Victorian and early 20th century jewellery as it functioned in different ways; it was never just something that hung on a necklace but it moved and transformed. I guess the industrial revolution inspired a whole era of jewellery which was quite complex. Lockets were a big part of that period so I spent a lot of time around this jewellery growing up.

A locket is a collection of experiences and emotions – essentially, it’s a life unfolding. Life itself is the inspiration. More than anything, I’m inspired by our customers, especially those who create bespoke charms. The stories they share, the memories they choose to encapsulate – there’s something incredibly moving about seeing how deeply personal each piece becomes. It’s a reminder that the jewellery we wear is rarely just ornamental – it holds purpose. It speaks to who we are, where we’ve been, and what we hold close. It becomes part of our identity.

Someone once told me: “Tell God your plans if you want him to laugh”. I started off wanting to be a writer and somehow ended up telling other people’s stories – so maybe there is some sort of connection there?

When I started 11 years ago, it was before all of these new jewellery brands appeared. One thing that was astounding is that you think of jewellery and it’s so pretty and lovely, but it was a very male-dominated world. Hatton Garden is like something out of Harry Potter, a Hogwarts-type [world] where you have these older guys on street corners with packets of diamonds. It’s the total opposite of the glamour you perceive it to be just because it’s pretty. I think that was the biggest surprise.

The other surprise was that there was very little information on how to start a career in jewellery and how to start a business. You very much had to make it up as you went along.

The best part is unexpectedly meeting someone I don’t know wearing a Loquet locket. It’s pure joy hearing what their piece means to them – how it holds their memories, their milestones, their people. Creating something so purposeful, so deeply personal, is exactly why Loquet exists.

The hardest part? World politics. The uncertainty, the instability – it affects every part of the business and can sometimes overshadow the quiet space that is needed to be creative.

The first time we launched the website. Loquet has always been about innovation, whether that’s in the jewellery, on the website, and how people buy jewellery or experience jewellery – I’d like to think we’ve always been at the forefront of that concept. The Loquet website launched 11 years ago and I wanted the concept to feel very personal to people and interactive so they were having a bespoke experience. At the time, there was some very basic 360-degree technology which meant you could click on it and turn it, so we worked with programmers to implement gaming technology into what we now call our locket builder online, where the locket can jingle, you can drop charms in and stack them. It was the first experience of its kind; we relaunched the website last year and we have revamped the builder again. One of the fun things on mobile is that as you fill your Loquet and move it in your hand, it moves around the screen on the chain.

I’d like to think that innovation is also in the jewellery; no one had made a locket quite like this one 11 years ago. We’re constantly trying to stay at the forefront of that design innovation.

The only time I truly switch off from work is over Christmas, when our studio closes for the week. For me, it marks the end of a chapter – a moment to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. It’s often the moment I get to feel proud and deeply grateful – to my team, and for everything we’ve accomplished together. It’s also when I start to look ahead, to everything we still want to build and achieve. January brings with it a fresh creative calendar, which is exciting, but it demands a clear head and renewed energy. That short window of stillness is essential. It’s less about being strict with taking a break, and more about honouring the rhythm of the year.

I love a sauna on the weekends. It’s pure heaven and quiet space.

There are so many. It’s not so much women I haven’t met yet – there are, of course, always amazing designers that you really respect – but for me it’s about the women I work with or have done amazing things with their businesses, like Jessica McCormack or Solange Azagury-Partridge, but also other women I’m working with in the jewellery space.

I think it’s essential to be a good listener – but just as important is having a clear, unwavering vision. In a world full of incredibly talented jewellers creating beautiful pieces, it can be difficult to remain visible. The way to stand out is through purpose – by creating something meaningful, unique, and exquisitely crafted.

It’s changed hugely. There’s been a real wave of female founders in the luxury space, particularly in my sector, and with that has come a greater understanding of the unique challenges women face while building their careers.

Career pauses, four-day weeks, or shorter working days are no longer seen as setbacks – they’re becoming recognised as creative, efficient ways of working. For many women, returning to work after having children is a necessity; for others, it’s also a reflection of passion and purpose. Either way, the decision to be away from your family is never made lightly – and it’s why creating a supportive, flexible environment is so important.

There’s so much value in building a team of brilliant multitaskers who genuinely love their work and bring with them a wealth of experience. It’s not just about flexibility – it’s about fostering a culture that respects the whole person, not just their output.

I’d love to see even more structural support for women in the workplace – especially in leadership. That means normalising flexibility at every level, not just as an exception for working mothers, but as a way of working that supports all kinds of lives and responsibilities.

I also hope to see continued investment in mentorship – women lifting each other up, sharing knowledge, and helping the next generation navigate the industry with more confidence and less compromise.

Ultimately, I’d like to see a world where women don’t feel they have to choose between ambition and care, where both can exist without guilt or explanation – and where success looks like many different things, not just one traditional model.

I’d pass on the advice that was given to me: do one thing, and do it exceptionally well. Focus, find the most talented craftsman, and become the best there is at what you do. In the creative industries, it’s easy to be pulled in a dozen directions, but real impact often comes from depth, not breadth.

When I first started Loquet, there was a temptation to offer everything – rings, earrings, a full collection – but I kept coming back to the locket. I believed in its power to give people a moment to create something for themselves – something meaningful, something that celebrated what mattered most. It felt personal, purposeful, and timeless. Staying true to that single idea, and pursuing it with real intention, is what allowed us to stand out and grow.

Also, trust your instincts. The creative world can be noisy, and it’s easy to second-guess yourself. But your perspective – your voice – is your greatest asset. Own it, nurture it, and don’t be afraid to stand out.