Canadian west coast readers may already be familiar with Sugarlime, a popular Vancouver based jewelry company that makes original and highly covetable pieces. The company was founded by husband and wife duo, Karen & Mike Buder, who were bitten by the jewelry bug on a trip to Asia.  

Sugarlime's pieces are worn by a number of A list celebrities and they are the exclusive jeweler to eTalk Daily's entertainment and fashion reporter, Susie Wall.

We sat down with the bubbly Karen at her recent show in Toronto to talk about getting into the jewelry biz, being an entrepreneur and to do a little shopping.

ChickAdvisor
What inspired you to become a jewelry designer?

Sugarlime
The response I received from the first couple of pieces that I made, traveling to Asia, and my love for fashion.
 
ChickAdvisor
What was your first piece?

Sugarlime
A clear Swarovski crystal necklace and matching simple drop earrings that I made the morning of our wedding!
 
ChickAdvisor
You were originally a legal secretary. What convinced you to make the leap to start your own business?

Sugarlime
Traveling, making the most of the creative energy and ideas I had, and my husband giving me that extra ‘push’.

I would also add: creating a career that utilized my passion for event planning, marketing/PR, designing, traveling, fashion, and my husband’s experience with operations management.  We are so fortunate to have these necessary attributes to run our own business successfully.
 

ChickAdvisor
You are in Vancouver, now Toronto and Calgary.  What's next?

Sugarlime
We’re planning on moving into the US market, continuing to do tradeshows to build the brand, as well as focusing now on getting our line into more boutiques.
 
ChickAdvisor
There are a number of A-list Celebrities wearing your jewelry. How did that come about and how did you feel when you first saw them wearing your pieces?

Sugarlime
Sugarlime’s celebrity list has come to be because of a few different factors: being asked to participate in providing jewelry to the celebs for the Emmy Awards and TIFF, working with a non-profit organization donating jewelry for an event where Sarah McLachlan performed, Sarah McLachlan wearing our jewelry on Oprah, meeting a few of the celebs, Tori Spelling purchasing one of our necklaces at a spa where we sell our line, and my passion for PR and being so pro-active – it really has helped with building our brand and reputation.
 
When I experienced my first celebrity meeting, I was so calm and relaxed at first but soon after, I was in disbelief, flustered, and excited.  Spotting celebs in Sugarlime still excites me to this day - it is so gratifying and surreal!
 
ChickAdvisor
What's the best advice you have received as an entrepreneur?

Sugarlime
1. First, it’s crucial to determine whether or not you want to keep your new venture as a hobby, or take it to a serious level and make a career out of it;
2. Stick to what you’re good at; and
3. Keep on top of your cash flow.
 
www.sugarlime.com

Do you have any sugarlime pieces? What do you think?