She was on the go, energized and glowing, yet full of business as usual. Linda Lee works hard at what she loves. A woman with two jobs, she keeps healthy and fit as a personal trainer, working with 20+ clients six days out of the week; and designs, makes and sells her original jewelry—jewelry that sports a natural yet elegant look.
The rain-soaked December morning I hooked up with Linda, she was in between training sessions. Having just finished working with a client at Gold’s Gym on Grand Avenue, she was dashing off to Emeryville for her next appointment. We hurried through our interview with just enough time for me to grasp how Linda tightly keeps all the pieces of her life in harmonious synch.
The big news was she had just gotten married 30 days ago in Maui, Hawaii. Busy with post-wedding responsibilities, Linda was back on track helping others better their lives. Not only is this a statement of who she is—always finding new ways to fulfill her own life--but fitting for one who’s always loved the gym and, more recently, has realized the joy of watching women (and men!) marvel at her carefully-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Even before her own wedding, Linda loved working with brides. This is the aspect of her business that most fires her passion for designing jewelry. Her website features the BRIDAL COLLECTION--samples of the personalized jewelry ensembles she’s created for the bride and her bridesmaids. Linda works collaboratively to fashion jewelry that perfectly enhances the color scheme, budget and personality or the bride-to-be. This may entail designing matching necklaces and bracelets, or necklaces and earrings, accented with the elegance of hair ornaments—all practical enough for the bride and bridesmaids to wear long after the wedding. After everything is complete, Linda surprises the bride with her own personalized wedding charm bracelet—something to keep sacred the memory of that special day.
A romantic at heart, the words on Linda’s website read: “Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away.” This image reflects the success of her jewelry designs. She notices how customers react and, over the years, has learned what absolutely takes their breath away. It’s helped narrow down the types of material she uses, resulting in a natural-looking line that couples wood, pearls, and shells with the flash of Swarovski crystals. Though she designs her jewelry according to what she’d enjoy wearing, she also lives by her self-imposed motto: “If it isn’t perfect, it isn’t complete.” If a customer isn’t satisfied, Linda asks: “What can I do to make it perfect for you?”
The balance between artist and businesswoman can be challenging. However, Linda—both as the jewelry designer and personal trainer—knows how to work her business so that everyone comes out ahead. By keeping her hourly training fee and the price of her jewelry affordable, Linda relies heavily on repeat customers and word-of-mouth.
As a personal trainer, Linda pays attention to the uniqueness of her clients—ranging in age from their early 20s to early 60s—by realistically setting goals according to their time and needs. By keeping training fees affordable, Linda knows her clients will be more consistent and motivated to reach their goals.
The same philosophy extends to her jewelry. Priced between $10 to $95, Linda chooses designs that use moderately-priced material but still brings oohs, ahs and smiles to shoppers, especially when it’s a bargain! When I commented that Linda seems to have found the right formula, she smiled and replied, “Well, I hope so! I just do what I do. I’m not out to make someone broke with one piece.”
In the long haul, Linda sustains herself, always striving to bring more value to her own time. With 40 percent of her jewelry customers being friends, 40 percent being personal training clients, and 20 percent being folks she’s met for the first time, Linda makes it happen … and somehow, it all flows together.
Like my interview with Linda Lee--quick and efficient. As our conversation wound down to an end, Linda glanced at her watch, quickly gathered her things and graced me with a smile as she walked out the door. And as the new year rolls in, and I’m wrapping up this article, I’ve finally convinced myself--I’m going to call Linda to schedule my first-ever, affordable personal training session!
Linda Lee’s jewelry can be purchased on selected Sundays at the Oakland Artisan Marketplace in Jack London Square or at art fairs throughout the Bay Area. For more details, please visit her website: www.LindaLeeDesigns.com. She can be reached by calling 510-593-5133 or emailing linda@lindaleedesigns.com.
Judith Kajiwara makes hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind clay angels which can be found at the Oakland Artisan Marketplace. She occasionally writes and is the author and creator of the Angel Insight Cards, a self-published deck of 54 cards and 72-page booklet. She teaches and performs Butoh, a Japanese modern dance. Her angels can be viewed at www.mesart.com/meditationangels.
