Lisa Jenks	The Week of March 19th, 2006

Designer

1. What’s in your wallet right now?

A bit of change, a few dollars, some credit cards (business and personal), Brooklyn Library card, bank card, health insurance card and most importantly my Metro card (for the subways).

2. What do you wish your parents taught you about money?

How to take good care of it.

3. What is your worst habit around finances?

Not paying enough attention to investments and the like.

4. What makes you happy?

I love working with my hands, making something—drawing, embroidery, painting, puttering. . . it’s hard to sit still.

5. Personal philosophy around money?

Sometimes you just have to go for it. But from a business perspective—cash is king.

6. Where does money come from?

I think it depends on where it is going. If it is going to me, it seems to come from a lot of hard work!

7. What would you do with a million dollars?

Use part of it for my kids’ education, invest some, give some away, and make sure my mom is AOK.

8. What is your most prized possession?

My family, if you could call that a possession. If not, then it would be the creative side of my brain.

9. Who is your role model?

I don’t think I have had one up to now. But on reflection, I think Eva Zeisel (ceramics designer), a woman who has made so many amazing things through the years and is still fully involved in the creative process at 99 years is someone who is inspiring me at this time in my life.

10. What is your greatest achievement?

Most definitely my two kids, Sam and May. Everything else pales next to these two characters.

11. How did your company get started?

It started on the premise that I was compelled to make things, I wanted to work with my hands, be my own boss, and stay peripherally in the fashion business.

12. What contributions to society do you want to make?

I’d like to be able to say something very spiritual but honestly, I will be happy if the people who have any of the pieces I designed have gotten pleasure from them and the people who have worked for us (my sister/business partner and myself) over the years felt their experience was rewarding, fair and fun.

13. If you could buy one thing right now what would it be?

Not that I need anything but I do love those Mini Coopers.

14. Favorite activity that doesn’t cost a dime?

Hanging out with my kids and husband, essentially doing nothing.

15. How do you indulge yourself?

A good book and some dark chocolate would do the trick.

New-York based designer Lisa Jenks began crafting her signature jewelry nineteen years ago after a successful career in fashion design for a number of sportswear companies. Her style is inspired by ancient cultures and modern times, and the spirit and originality of her work is appreciated by loyal collectors as far away as Europe and Japan. In addition to gold and silver jewelry, Lisa designs flatware and tabletop accessories, and recently started on a gift collection for Origins, the skin-care company.

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