Stamford Small Business Spotlight: Jewels For Hope

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Jewels For Hope
Owners: Sandy D’Andrea & Stevie Lynn D’Andrea
Website: www.jewelsforhope.net
Address: Home Based- Glenbrook

How did you come up with the name?

Jewels For Hope’s name was created by Sandy while she was caring for her mother suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Sandy would make jewelry and give it away to the Hospice workers who would help take care of her mom. Once she decided to start selling the jewelry and donating a portion of the profits to worthy causes such as Hospice- Jewels For Hope was a perfectly fitting name!

Why start a business in this town?

Both myself (Stevie) and my mom Sandy lived in Stamford when I was a child. My dad’s business (an entertainment studio also in Glenbrook- Sound City Music) has been in Stamford for over 6 years. When we decided to move 3 years ago, we knew Stamford was the place to be- big city, great surroundings; the perfect atmosphere for our jewelry biz!

Briefly, what business are you in?

Jewels For Hope creates handmade jewelry that gives back. You can find our creations in stores and gift shops throughout the state- including C & G Crystals, right in Stamford!

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The most difficult challenges we have had as a business owners is time. We have so many great ideas that we want to do everything at once! There is just not enough hours in the day to do each and every new creation.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

Our proudest achievement... that’s a tough one! We both have different thoughts on that. Sandy’s would be: having some really nice celebs wear our jewelry, such as Meredith Vieira or Rodney Atkins! Stevie’s would be: having our jewelry on TV shows -such as FOX’s Bones and NBC’s Nightshift!

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

Jewels For Hope donates 10% of the profits of every sale to charities close to our hearts, such as Save The Sound, Hospice, and The American Cancer Society- just to name a few. Along with our standard donations, we have participated in local events such as the annual Liver Walk in downtown Stamford, donating portions of our sales to their organization during their event.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.