Jillian Sassone
Founder & Lead Designer of Marrow Fine Jewelry
What is your favorite part of your job?
The people we work with! We’re so lucky that our brand attracts amazing clients and employees. I think people can tell that we love what we do and are excited to be a part of it. An antique diamond treasure hunt is right up there as well—ha!
What is the most challenging part of your job?
As a small business owner, sometimes I wish I could slow time down to truly savor each moment. We wear so many hats as owners and are moving at a breakneck pace sometimes—it’s easy to burnout. I’ve done a better job in the last few years of knowing when it’s time to lay down the work and go play with the kids or take a walk for myself.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The clients! The great thing about creating fine jewelry is that people are always excited and happy—no one is bummed out when they pick up their new piece. Sometimes I work with a client to create a piece of jewelry to commemorate a lost loved one and those are emotionally the most taxing pieces to create but also the most rewarding. I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it right now.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
I work in an industry that is still run predominantly by men, but our Marrow team is 93% women. We actively talk about career pathing with our team. Where are they now, where do they want to go and what education/experience do they need to get there? If we can facilitate it through courses or including them in different segments of our business, we do. Women shouldn’t feel bad to ask for exactly what they want.
Which women are you inspired by in your local community, and globe?
My mom and dad ran their own commercial fishing business in Washington state where I grew up. My mom ran the front of house and my dad did the physical labor of fishing. I learned about hard work: long days and nights, how to treat customers and to never give up from her.
Which men do you find inspiring that are doing their part for women's equality?
My husband Tim left a successful career in software sales to come over to Marrow in 2017 and became my business partner. He grew up in NY and his mom is an avid feminist poet and teacher. It’s so wonderful to have a partner in business and in life that believes women are equal and works so diligently to left them up. We also have two young daughters and I hope that we’re showing them that anything is possible through hard work and treating people right.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
You can 1000% do anything you want—don’t ever let anyone diminish your dreams. If you’re willing to do anything to get your foot in the door and keep working hard, it will happen for you. For example, one of our employees started as an entry level shipping manager but was willing to do anything—no task was too small or below her. Three years later she has been promoted several times and is now our marketing manager overseeing a million dollar budget in an incredibly dynamic role. It’s been so much fun to watch her blossom and grow personally and professionally. If you’re willing to put in the work with a positive attitude, you will absolutely stand out in the crowd!
