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I am a strong believer in serendipity. In my life, I have been fortunate to be faced with both obstacles and opportunities that have guided my journey in unexpected ways. As one of four children raised by a single mom, it was a fortunate necessity that I get creative and resourceful if I wanted new clothing, my first snow skis, or a new bike. My mom and I designed my clothing, and she brought them to life late at night at the sewing machine. I worked on my cousin’s farm until I was old enough to work at the local department store. There I met my first professional mentor, Dixie, who took me under her wing and challenged me with heading up the company’s Teen Board and Career Board while a full time college student. She believed in me more than I did, and I am forever grateful.

My first job out of college was with a fashion jewelry company that was the main jewelry vendor to an up and coming Minnesota company by the name of Target. Mr. Lawrence called me into his office one day and asked if I would move to Los Angeles, where Target was expanding. He felt our Minnesota headquarters could use some boots on the ground and eyes on the trends in California. Now I was perfectly happy in Minneapolis, and was actually shocked when the word “yes” came out of my mouth!  While in LA, a friend and I were reading a newspaper article about this magical place called Santa Fe, and decided to take a road trip.  I knew the minute we reached New Mexico that it was the place for me, and I moved there the next year.   Little did I know I would meet the love of my life, who just happened to be producing jewelry! It was a match made in jewelry heaven, and we were married 11 months later.

I never imagined I would be on television, but have since come to learn that my sister Becky always thought I would be a news anchor. Little did she know I was petrified of the camera!!! So on Thanksgiving day in 1995 when Bill put me on the plane and wished me luck on my first QVC appearance, I was wondering what the heck I was doing!! But Bill believed in me, as well as the people at QVC, so all I could do was trust that they knew something I didn’t! 

A lot has happened since that first nervous appearance. Bill and I are blessed to employ 200 people in Albuquerque who have been up to the challenges of an ever evolving company. What started as a Southwestern jewelry company now includes my Carolyn Pollack Sterling designer brand. I am so proud of all of the craftspeople who have challenged themselves and grown with us through the years. Creating 400 increasingly difficult and beautiful new designs per year takes a talented, passionate team. And thank you all for collecting our jewelry and sharing your thoughts and ideas with us. You are a blessing in my life, and I thank QVC for bringing us together. When work is such a big part of your life, you better have fun along the way and as you can see from the photos here, Bill and I have had more than our share of fun with QVC!

I am grateful for the love and commitment my mom showed during those difficult years. Speaking of serendipity, I remember vividly the look on my mom’s face when she got off the phone that night in 1979. One of her high school friends remembered my mom’s dream of owning a bridal shop someday. This friend was ready to try something new in her life, and she and my mom soon opened up shop in a charming historic house. While my mom was passionate about the business, her friend decided it wasn’t for her, and they parted ways. It was a sad situation that I shared while at work with Dixie at the department store. As luck would have it, the company was ready to lease its bridal department rather than continuing to run it themselves. Dixie wondered if my mom would like to lease it. That phone call to my mom would be one of the happiest of my life. What started out in a back corner of the dress department, my mom would grow to be one of the largest bridal shops in Minnesota. And yes, that still meant spending late nights at the sewing machine making sure every wedding was perfect!  

Life is a one of a kind design in process!! 

Sincerely,