Cindy Chao, as multifaceted and vibrant as the magnificent art jewels she creates, is marking 15 years in the business. She reflects on the initial hardships of her journey, the landmarks of success and the very special person who has inspired her fierce determination right from the beginning
As a team flown in from around the world go about their busyness in a grand salon of a 17th-century chateau in Normandy, surrounded by gilded rococo carvings, Louis XV furniture, lavish tapestries, marble columns, bronze busts and crystal chandeliers, they’re dancing to the tune of renowned New York-based photographer Carter Smith. At the centre of the activity, looking calm and unflappable on one of the hottest days of summer, is Cindy Chao, dressed in black couture delivered personally by French designer Stéphane Rolland.
The reason for this day-long photographic exercise, if one needs a reason to laud one of the world’s great jewellers, is that Cindy is celebrating a major landmark: the 15th anniversary of the founding of her brand, Cindy Chao: The Art Jewel. While she’s long been recognised as one of the industry greats, with a string of remarkable achievements to her name, Cindy’s journey, like most inspiring tales, has involved many incredible setbacks and sacrifices along the way to success.
Her Way To Success
“Success did not come by easily,” she says. “There were tears, lots of them, that’s for sure. It took a lot to get where I am today. Starting a business alone can be brutal, and being a single mum while doing so—it’s like a candle burning at both ends. Very few, if anyone, recognised me when I was starting my career; they didn’t give me the time of day. But I was committed to succeeding and made a considerable investment.
“At the time, though, the concept of ‘art jewels’ was not something people understood and bought into, so sales were slow and cash flow was the main concern. We were racing against time every day. Finally I had no choice but to sell my house in order to survive. But never once did I feel like giving up; I spent days on end crouched at my desk, creating.”
Concerned that the demands of her fledgling business meant she was unable to provide the stability and quality time her young son required, Cindy sent him to boarding school overseas. “I looked at my son one day and realised that I was failing to provide him with the care he deserved. And while it pained me to send him away, I knew in my heart that it was the right decision. I recall vividly when I dropped him off at his dormitory. Despite my best efforts to stay calm and look cool, I burst into tears the moment I turned my back.
“After I paid his first tuition fees, there was only US$860 left in my account. My sister then turned to me and asked, ‘How about his tuition fees next year? Can you even afford it?’ But I was resolute. I didn’t have time to think about tomorrow, nor did I have the time to look back and wonder what I could have done differently. From that point on, the only way to go was forward, like a horse in blinders just looking ahead. I was determined not to stop till I succeeded—and when I felt I had reached my goal, I would aim even higher.”
She soon achieved that goal and more—and she continues to reach higher.
