Christina Nicole Villarreal AKA C.N.V Creator of CNV Gemz, Certified Jewelry Designer from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has been designing and creating jewelry since 2013. Everything she creates has a sentimental value creating a hopeless romantic relationship between the customer and their jewelry
Christina was kind enough to do a Q&A with WOT, talking about her work and much more.
Tell us what do you do?
I believe jewelry is Art for the body. I take the time to handpick and hand make every piece that goes into my Jewelry. The reaction from the receiver is priceless and brings me so much joy. To have a piece of jewelry that means something completely changes the vibration in the room. 40% of my business is custom orders created by my customers. 60% is Jewelry I have designed.
Would you say you are free from the 9-5 life? How do you spend your days now?
In a sense I Am free from the 9-5 life; however, that does not mean that I work less. Now there is just no time to stop me from working. When I feel passionate about design, I can work on it for hours. Some days go 10 hours +. I have found balance by setting alarms to remind me to take a break. On top of designing and making my own jewelry by hand; I run my own website, take my own photos for my jewelry, I sell it, I also teach it to younger girls as a mentor. so, between all of that, the days can get long. The Great news is when I put 125% into my business, I see the growth and the doors open. I am grateful to be doing the job I love to do.
Now we know you show some of your revenue stats on social media, not many would do this. How do you deal with critics or negative responses?
I honor all feedback. Through the years I have been growing in my skill of making jewelry as well as have made some mistakes out of ignorance. All feedback is good feedback to me. It has pushed me into educating myself by taking classes in silversmithing as well as Jewelry design.
Have you always been entrepreneurial? Tell me about your first experience as a kid.
When I was 10 years old, I had already realized I had the gift of art. I would charge 10 cents to face paint. I would just sit by the playground where the kids played and once, they saw my painting my little sisters faces, the whole neighborhood would want their face painted too. That was the beginning of my Art Career.
If you had an extra 6 hours a day, what would you do?
I would do more Jewelry Designing. My plan is to have a Jewelry Rendering for every piece of jewelry I create. Renderings can take a week depending on the design. An extra 6 hours a day would be perfect to cut that time in half.
What has been the single most important jewelry making skill you have learned and why?
In 2019 I graduated from GIA University in Carlsbad California. I became a certified jewelry designer and opened my horizon in the jewelry world. From my peers to my teachers I felt passion in every direction. It pushed me into a new level of art and proved to me that once I put my mind to something, I can do anything. It was then I seen my full potential and was one of my best summers thus far.
What sacrifices have you had to make as an entrepreneur to become the person you are now?
The biggest sacrifice for me is time. There are several events, and occasions with friends and family that I would love to join, but when I am focused on my jewelry, it’s like nothing else matters. It is a job that requires patients and it takes time.
We all have our good days and bad days. What is your typical bad day and typical good day look like? How do you stay motivated all the time?
I do my best not to look at my day as bad or good, which assists me with inspiration. Either it works or it does not work is how I choose to see it. The best part of not having to work a 9-5 is having the freedom to choose a new way that does work. For example, if I did not feel inspired or creative, I may take a ride and listen to some music. I also may decide to paint to change my routine. I also do a lot of meditating.
Tell us about your proudest achievement.
My greatest achievement so far has been graduating GIA University last year in 2019 and becoming a certified Jewelry Designer.
What is your best advice for those about to embark on the field of teaching?
Listen. When teaching young girls to make jewelry; I noticed that listening to their feedback and questions fuel my creativity as well. Their imagination has no limits, and they will not give in until they at least try to do it. That to me is true freedom. It takes self-control and patience to listen. I am learning that sometimes I AM the student as well as the teacher.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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