Meet Hope Noel Jewelry
FOUNDED BY
THE INTERVIEW
Written by Boston Women’s Market & Hope Hera
Boston Women’s Market: Can you tell us a bit about what led you to begin your journey with D&Y Jewellry? Was there an aha! Moment?
Hope Hera: Creativity has always been my outlet, but after high school, I wasn’t sure how to turn it into a career. I skipped college not knowing what to do next. I explored different paths until I discovered metalsmithing, which sparked a true passion. What started as a hobby grew into something more, and by 2021, after having my daughter, I faced the choice to go back to work or make my jewelry business work.
That summer, I worked my first artisan market and had my aha! moment—I realized I could have it all: my passion and my family. It was the biggest blessing to prioritize my family while also helping to provide financially, without sacrificing what was most important to me. Through it all, my faith has been a constant source of guidance, helping me navigate this journey and find the purpose behind my work.
BWM: How have you continued to manage the growth of the company, while also finding time and ways to invest in yourself?
Hope : Managing growth while balancing life has been a learning process. In the early years, I took on as many markets as possible, but I quickly realized that pace wasn’t sustainable. Now, I’ve become more intentional—I focus on the markets that are the best fit for my brand and have also grown my online presence to create a steadier income stream outside of in-person events.
A big shift came when I hired my sister part-time. Outsourcing has helped me create boundaries between work and family life, preventing burnout. I also structure my schedule to include time for creativity because when I allow myself to step back and recharge—whether through nature, faith, or simply rest—I come back with fresh ideas and renewed energy for my business
BWM: Our Members are often just beginning to grow their business, and many are interested in learning from other successful businesswomen. What key pieces of insight have you learned from launching your business?
Hope: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success doesn’t happen overnight—most people give up before they truly succeed. The key is to be adaptable and build your business in a way that works for you, not just what you think the market wants.
Another crucial insight is that your uniqueness is your strength. Instead of molding your work to fit trends, focus on what you love and find the audience that connects with it. Trying to appeal to everyone often results in losing what makes your brand special.
Lastly, start before you feel ready. I put off doing artisan markets because I thought I wasn’t prepared, but experience is the best teacher. You don’t need everything to be perfect—start small, learn as you go, and refine your business over time.
BWM: With the business acumen you have now, what's one piece of advice you wish you could tell yourself five years ago?
Hope : I would tell myself: Start doing artisan markets sooner! I put them off because I thought I wasn’t ready, but the reality is that you learn by doing. It took me years to build my name in the artisan world and the Boston area. If I had started earlier, I would have gained that experience much sooner. Also, I’d probably tell myself that I have enough beads and don’t need more—haha!
BWM: We think the stories of failure are just as important as the stories of success. Can you talk about a time that you failed in an entrepreneurial venture or objective? How did you face and overcome this failure? What was the lesson learned?
Hope: Early on, I made the mistake of trying to appeal to everyone. I focused too much on variety and big launches, thinking that more options would attract more buyers. But instead, it overwhelmed people, and I lost sight of what made my business unique.
The lesson? Less is more. I’ve learned to focus on fewer, high-quality pieces and to showcase their uniqueness rather than trying to please every possible customer. My business is a reflection of me, and when I stay true to that, it resonates with the right people. Also—get your finances in order early! It saves a huge headache down the line.
BWM: Do you have a favorite go-to business tool or resource you can recommend to our members?
Hope: AI is a great tool if used wisely, but I believe the best resource is the personal connections you make through other businesses and business friends. There are so many inspiring and powerful women in the entrepreneurial world, and we can all learn from one another. I’m a big believer in not gatekeeping within my business community. Instead, I value the opportunity to lift each other up. Collaboration over competition is key, and it’s amazing to see how much we can grow when we share knowledge and support one another.
