Sarah Hamel

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED?

by Burke Campbell 

Published in the Financial Post

 Feb 23, 2009  

Sarah Hamel is founder of Made You Look (www.madeyoulook.ca). With two retail stores in Toronto , Made You Look permits shoppers to view artists as they create jewelry. Sarah Hamel tells the Financial Post what motivated her to become an entrepreneur.

Idea: “As students, taking courses in jewellery making and design at George Brown College , we were required to present a plan, showing how we’d survive in business as artists. Taking an overview, I saw the needs of my fellow students as assets, suggesting that I would offer them both a manufacturing and retail space, all for a fee or commission.”

Eureka : “My classmates were enthusiastic, and many wanted in! That’s when the real potential of the idea hit home.”

It happens: “With my father’s help, I bought a building on Queen Street , refurbished it, and launched our first store in 2001. We exhibit and sell jewelry, but customers can also see jewelry-makers creating bracelets, necklaces, rings, and other exquisite pieces. Recently, we launched a second store across the street, to carry our more funky jewelry designs.”

Brilliant: “Business has increased steadily, and this last Christmas, overall sales jumped 70 per cent.”

The larger design: “I’m showcasing Canadian skill and talent. Together, our stores act as a hub for shoppers, and in time, for the international jewelry industry.”

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