Carol

Carol was born in Brooklyn, NY. The daughter of second generation immigrants, Carol’s heritage tells a classic American story. Her grandfather and his brothers emigrated from Poland and upon arriving in New York, fell into the jewellery business. Carol’s grandfather became a jewellery engraver, her uncles became casters and setters, and her father an engraver–bringing home new pieces of jewellery every night for his family to see. Carol grew up completely immersed in the industry, thanks to her family’s work.

As Carol grew up, she saw how challenging her father’s work life could be and decided she wanted to pursue her studies. Despite her family’s wishes for her to be a homemaker, she put herself through college in New Jersey and graduated with a degree in accountancy. Carol enjoyed a sixteen year career, moving from accountancy into computers and then working as a financial systems analyst on Wall Street. Once she began her own family, Carol began to slow down, which left her with different responsibilities. As a new mother, the role was her greatest duty, yet she still needed a steady income. Carol turned towards the jewellery industry, as it offered her flexibility as well as being another industry that she knew well.

Carol began her own diamond business, without any formal training–always learning on the job. Over the years, Carol learned about moulding, casting, design and gemstones– twenty-five years later, Carol has become an expert in her field, with a large network in the jewellery district of New York. She built a successful business as a sole trader in New York, with an established reputation.

As the years went on, the pressures of being a sole trader were mounting, leaving Carol with little time for herself. She yearned for a team instead of wearing the many hats required of her own business–which led her to Taylor & Hart.