Taking the Leap: Jaclyn Beckerman of Jaclyn Nicole Design On How To Learn To Believe In Yourself
An Interview With Savio P. Clemente
Embrace Self-Discovery: Give yourself permission to experiment with new interests and change course to pursue what truly ignites your passion. I once believed I had no artistic ability, but after exploring jewelry design, I found I had a natural talent for it. So, don’t hesitate to continually explore and try new things until you find the right fit that truly resonates with you.
Starting something new is scary. Learning to believe in yourself can be a critical precursor to starting a new initiative. Why is it so important to learn to believe in yourself? How can someone work on gaining these skills? In this interview series, we are talking to business leaders, authors, writers, coaches, medical professionals, teachers, to share empowering insights about “How To Learn To Believe In Yourself.” As a part of this series we had the pleasure of interviewing Jaclyn Beckerman.
Jaclyn Beckerman, a former Life Coach turned Silversmith, designs and crafts mindfulness jewelry that inspires and supports individuals on their journey to self-belief and personal fulfillment. Drawing from her own experiences with trauma, healing, and growth, Jaclyn creates jewelry that nurtures self-confidence, self-love, and an adaptable mindset. Passionate about empowering others to overcome self-doubt and embrace a positive perspective, Jaclyn’s insights on mindfulness, self-development, and personal empowerment make her and her work at Jaclyn Nicole a truly inspiring resource for those seeking transformative growth.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Thank you for having me! My childhood as a neurodivergent 90s kid with ADHD certainly had its challenges, but it also shaped the person I am today.
My boundless energy and ever-changing interests often led to misunderstandings, anger, and frustration from the adults around me. Phrases like “What’s wrong with you?!”, “You’re driving me crazy!”, “You shouldn’t feel that way,” and “Why can’t you just be a good girl?” were all too common, making my younger years far from a safe, accepting, or stable experience for me. As a consequence, I struggled with low self-worth and a lack of self-love for many years, frequently second-guessing myself and the validity of my feelings.
The initial turning point for me came in 2008 at age 24 when I began life coach training. This experience was pivotal in helping me identify and challenge many false beliefs I had unknowingly internalized, sparking a life-changing journey of self-discovery and healing that quite literally took me all around the world and back.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
During a difficult time in my life marked by a sudden marital breakup, single motherhood, relocating from South Africa to the US, challenging home and work environments, job loss, and COVID-19 quarantine, I found solace in creativity as a means of emotional healing. I taught myself to crochet and developed a love for handicrafts. This led me to create beaded bracelets with encouraging words for friends based on their struggles to support them. One friend suggested selling them, sparking my interest in a jewelry-making career. Though met with skepticism by most, a few supportive friends provided the encouragement I needed to pursue this path.
As I explored jewelry design, I learned about epoxy resin and was eager to try it. My friend Patrick surprised me with the tools and a note stating, “I believe in you.” Later, I discovered and enrolled in silversmithing classes at a local Visual Arts School. Despite attending only once a week for six months, I knew from day one that I’d found my true calling. The unwavering passion I have for jewelry design, coupled with the powerful impact my customers say my pieces have on their lives, continues to fuel my spiritual and creative journey as well as my ambition for growth.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I first started out, I bought myself a butane torch for soldering. It wouldn’t run hot enough, so I upgraded to a fancier, pricier butane torch — still no luck. Then, I scored a more costly second-hand plumber’s torch with an acetylene/air tank, but soldering remained a headache for over a year. I couldn’t figure out why it was such a struggle for me when I had so quickly mastered so many other silversmithing skills!
Finally, I invested in a $500 Little Smith Torch with an acetylene oxygen tank setup, and I can’t emphasize enough what a game-changer it was! My efficiency, enjoyment, and time saved all significantly increased, thanks to that little torch.
I could insert an unfortunate amount of products, equipment and services into this same story and the formula always produces the same moral of the story: You get what you pay for!
Don’t throw away money on cheap products thinking you can’t afford quality. Chances are, you’ll eventually realize the bargain versions don’t give you the results you’re after, buy the quality one anyway, and kick yourself for wasting money and time by not taking the plunge in the first place.
If your gut tells you something would improve your work or quality of life, that product is an investment in yourself worth making. Remember, investing in yourself and your craft can lead to more success and satisfaction in the long run.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
I’m super excited about the diverse range of mindful jewelry collections I’ve created so far! People are really drawn to the unique designs and the deeper meanings they represent. However, I’ve noticed that handcrafted silversmith jewelry can be a bit pricey for some folks.
That’s why I’m eager to build my brand awareness and expand my business! My ultimate aim is to produce my mindfulness jewelry collections on a larger scale through manufacturing, transitioning them to a wholesale operation available in retail stores. That way, I can offer inspiring jewelry pieces at more affordable prices, enabling a broader impact in the larger market.
I still plan to handcraft initial prototypes for new collections and continue creating one-of-a-kind and custom pieces through commissions and unique offerings. My creativity definitely thrives during the creation process, and I’m frequently inspired to alter or enhance designs in surprising ways.
Also, while I don’t enjoy repetitive production work, I firmly believe in the value my mindful jewelry collections offer to those who wear them. Manufacturing seems like the most viable solution. I genuinely believe that by making my jewelry more accessible, I can help people remember to be more intentional with their thoughts, beliefs, and actions. It’s about offering tangible reminders to encourage essential, practical steps toward self-improvement and happiness. So, I’m genuinely excited to see how the growth of my brand can have a positive impact on more people’s lives!
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview. This will be intuitive to you but it will be helpful to spell this out directly. Can you help explain a few reasons why it is so important to believe in yourself? Can you share a story or give some examples?
Believing in yourself is crucial; it empowers you to chase your dreams and unlock your true potential, while self-doubt traps you in a cycle of feeling “not good enough.”
Growing up, I was enamored by various art forms, but the reactions I received made me feel as if I lacked the talent to excel in them. I envied creatives while searching for my own passion. Life coaching came close, but it wasn’t the perfect fit. It was only after rebuilding my life and self-worth after a painful end to my marriage that I considered jewelry-making, despite my lifelong obsession with jewelry.
Once I made an active effort to trust my instincts, believe in my capabilities, and pursue my path despite others’ doubts, I unlocked the inner joy that comes from taking a leap of faith in yourself and seeing it work out for the best.
Believing in yourself means recognizing that you have value to contribute and are just as capable as anyone else at creating amazing things. All it takes is the courage to start and the determination to keep going.
What exactly does it mean to believe in yourself? Can I believe that I can be a great artist even though I’m not very talented? Can I believe I can be a gold medal Olympic even if I’m not athletic? Can you please explain what you mean?
Believing in yourself doesn’t mean you think you’re great at everything; rather, it’s about trusting yourself to try, make mistakes, learn, grow, and pivot. We often underestimate what we’re capable of, holding ourselves back because we’ve already convinced ourselves we can’t do something. In reality, we may have hidden talents and strengths just waiting to be discovered.
I really once believed I had no artistic talent, but after trusting my intuition and pursuing whatever sparked joy, I was honestly surprised to learn how wrong I’d been. It’s so imperative to recognize that your feelings are valid and listen to what they’re telling you about what’s right for you and the direction you’re heading.
So, believing in yourself is about trusting your journey, allowing yourself to explore, and prioritizing your own feelings, beliefs and desires over others’ subjective opinions. Embrace curiosity around discovering your potential, and you might be surprised by what you can accomplish!
Was there a time when you did not believe in yourself? How did this impact your choices?
For most of my life, up until a couple years ago, I was swimming in a sea of self-doubt, only occasionally breaking free with sheer willpower or inspired action. I often let others influence my decisions, even when my gut told me otherwise. This vulnerability made me prone to manipulation, gaslighting, and emotional abuse, leaving me trapped in a cycle of feeling incomplete and unhappy.
Ignoring my intuition and dismissing red flags led me to struggle upstream in countless situations. However, learning to trust my intuition and feelings has truly been a game-changer. Sure, I still occasionally grapple with doubts, but I now make a conscious effort to tune into my emotions and remember that not all opportunities are right for me, even if they are wrapped in a sparkly package.
Ultimately, consistently listening to and following my own instincts, and seeing the amazing results that’s produced, has proved to be the most reliable source of self-validation for belief in myself I’ve ever known.
At what point did you realize that in order to get to the next level, it would be necessary to build up your belief in yourself? Can you share the story with us?
When I first shared my jewelry-making dream, I faced skepticism and unsolicited job suggestions from family and friends, fueling self-doubt.
The turning point came when I designed and crafted my first silversmith pendant, the initial prototype for my popular Zodiac Constellation necklaces. I took the impressed reactions of my instructor and classmates to heart, becoming my own most loyal champion and giving myself the praise, admiration, and validation I’d been seeking from others. As I believed in myself and followed my instincts, I experienced increasingly positive results, reinforcing my certainty that I was on the right path.
Reflecting on this, it’s fitting that the jewelry pieces in that collection remind us our stories are written in the stars. We’re all integral parts of a bigger picture, each with our own impact, purpose, and control over our experiences.
In time, initial cynics came around, but by then, I’d already proven my capability to myself. I learned that the only approval that truly matters is my own.
What are your top 5 strategies that will help someone learn to believe in themselves? Please share a story or example for each.
1 . Embrace Self-Discovery: Give yourself permission to experiment with new interests and change course to pursue what truly ignites your passion. I once believed I had no artistic ability, but after exploring jewelry design, I found I had a natural talent for it. So, don’t hesitate to continually explore and try new things until you find the right fit that truly resonates with you.
2 . Trust Your Instincts: Approach novel experiences with an open mind and eagerness to learn, evolve, and adapt. Pay attention to your emotions and instincts, letting positive feelings steer you on the right path. Following the end of my marriage, trusting my gut and believing in myself helped me rebuild my life, discover my passion, cultivate self-love, and ultimately attain a level of happiness and fulfillment I’d never known.
3 . Challenge Negative Beliefs: Confront self-doubt by challenging the idea that you’re “not good enough.” Recognize that other people’s opinions aren’t more valuable than yours, and understand that obstacles can steer you away from the wrong paths and toward the right one. I struggled to find a career that felt like the perfect fit and started to believe I never would. However, by allowing myself to explore whatever sparked joy, I stumbled upon my hidden passion for jewelry-making, which ultimately led me to a fulfilling path that uniquely marries all of my passions.
4 . Clarify Your Motivation: Identify the “what for” behind your goals to unveil your true driving force, inspiring you towards fulfillment. Envision how life would feel differently and the difference you hope to make when you reach your goals. By understanding the experience of life I wanted to create and the difference I hoped to make for others, and connecting that with my passion for jewelry design, I found my perfect alignment with my authentic purpose.
5 . Cultivate Gratitude: Embrace and celebrate every and anything you can appreciate in your daily life, big or small. Recognize every win and use it to strengthen the belief that you are worthy and things are working out for you. While growing my jewelry business, I paused to appreciate each and every sale, heartfelt thank you, juried art show acceptance, jewelry piece that came out beautifully and praise received. Acknowledging and celebrating these positive moments reinforced my confidence in myself and my skills. It has made such a huge impact that I even created a Gratitude collection specifically to help build this habit.
By incorporating these strategies into your life, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong belief in yourself and unlocking your true potential. And if you need more strategies, just let me know!
Conversely, how can one stop the negative stream of self-criticism that often accompanies us as we try to grow?
I’ve integrated strategies for how to stop obsessive negative thinking into my jewelry, and I think the best way to explain my approach is by sharing the meaning behind a couple of pieces that prompt such practices.
These practices are effective on their own, however, I’ve found we often operate on autopilot, making new habit formation challenging. My motivation for creating mindfulness jewelry stems from the desire to transform beautiful accessories into intentional, constant reminders that encourage the practice of positive habits.
The Presence Spinner Ring: Go Neutral and Get Present
When you find yourself anxiously dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, spin the moveable center rings. As you spin the rings, take a moment to observe your surroundings using your senses — notice what you see, hear, or smell. Narrate your observations until you feel your energy shift, which will likely take only a minute or so. But, commit that once you stop spinning, you’ll refocus on the present moment, as everything else is just a thought in your head, it’s not actually happening now. Use this grounding practice to find the peace and joy available in the present moment.
The Sun Drop Collection: Look for What’s Working
This collection serves as a reminder that your perspective shapes your life. When you catch yourself in judgment or criticism, touch the piece and ask, “What am I looking for: What’s going well? Or what’s going wrong?” Reflect on whether you’re focusing on what’s working, opportunities, and progress, or on lack, frustration, or inadequacy. You can’t have what you can’t see, and you can’t see what you’re not looking for. And you’ll always find more evidence of what you look for — so choose wisely.
Are there any misconceptions about self-confidence and believing in oneself that you would like to dispel?
A couple of misconceptions about self-confidence and self-belief are the idea that you need others’ approval to prove your worth, and that your value is determined by your actions and must be earned through hard work. These ideas couldn’t be more false.
For example, consider a newborn baby. They are seen as worthy, amazing miracles, and they don’t need to do anything to be loved, valued, and appreciated. However, as we grow up, we come to understand that love and acceptance often hinge on meeting others’ expectations. This instills the subconscious belief that we’re only lovable when we conform to others’ desires or needs, leading to a lifelong struggle with self-worth and seeking approval.
It’s so important to recognize that, just like a baby, you’re incredible, deserving, and more than enough without having to prove yourself to anyone. Embracing this truth can bring immense freedom and peace.
What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is something many of us experience, often stemming from feelings of not being good enough. My advice for those struggling with imposter syndrome is to focus on trusting your instincts and embracing what feels authentic and positive for you. Many of us often feel uneasy about sharing our genuine selves due to ingrained beliefs that we’re not good enough or that others are better, smarter, or more talented.
Remember, there’s no one better at being you than you. Your unique perspective, experiences, beliefs, and insights create the one and only you, with unique gifts and insights to contribute to the world. Let go of the need to compare yourself to others. You don’t have to dim your light because others shine brightly; you can shine just as brightly alongside them.
Ok, we are nearly done. You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I actually do have a vision for the future of my business that I hope will promote long-lasting, widespread positive impact. When my brand gains more recognition and resources, I plan to launch a youth-focused sub-brand called Mavi Nicole, the name being a nod to my two little girls. A portion of the profits would go toward supporting programs that teach elementary school children about self-love, self-worth, and empathetic understanding for themselves and others, as well as providing a framework for practicing these values.
Having experienced significant bullying in my own childhood, this mission is deeply personal to me. I firmly believe that many issues in schools, like bullying and violence, can only be addressed by teaching children from a young age to love themselves and recognize their worth. Children who feel confident and worthy don’t need to put others down to feel good enough themselves.
I believe this approach will foster children who grow into adults with a strong sense of self-love and self-worth, ultimately creating a more compassionate and cooperative world, leading to large-scale positive change like we’ve never witnessed before.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)
If I had to choose one person to have a private breakfast or lunch with, it would be Oprah. She embodies self-belief and a desire to empower others, which perfectly aligns with my mission to create mindfulness jewelry that fosters personal growth. As a trained life coach, I understand the biggest challenge lies in helping people consistently practice and apply these insights in their daily lives, paving the way for lasting transformation and happiness.
Oprah shares a similar mindset and has built an incredibly impactful and successful brand from it. I believe that learning from Oprah’s experience in building brand awareness and scaling impact would be invaluable for my jewelry line, as it resonates deeply with the messages of growth, self-love, and self-worth that she passionately advocates.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
For a behind-the-scenes look at my work, creative process, inspiration, and insights on living a happy life, follow me on Instagram, where I’m most active: www.instagram.com/jaclynnicoledesign.
You can shop for your own piece of mindful jewelry on my website at www.jaclynnicoledesign.com.
You can also connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok using the same handle, @jaclynnicoledesign, for even more inspiration and connection.
Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success.
Thank you! I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with you and hopefully, make a positive impact for your readers!
About The Interviewer: Savio P. Clemente coaches cancer survivors to overcome the confusion and gain the clarity needed to get busy living in mind, body, and spirit. He inspires health and wellness seekers to find meaning in the “why” and cultivate resilience in their mindset. Savio is a Board Certified Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC, ACC), #1 best-selling author, syndicated columnist, podcaster, stage 3 cancer survivor, and founder of The Human Resolve LLC. He has interviewed notable celebrities and TV personalities and has been featured on Fox News, The Wrap, and has worked with Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, BuzzFeed, Food Network, WW and Bloomberg. Savio has been invited to cover numerous industry events throughout the U.S. and abroad. His mission is to provide clients, listeners, and viewers alike with tangible takeaways on how to lead a truly healthy, wealthy, and wise lifestyle. Savio pens a weekly newsletter in which he delves into secrets to living smarter by feeding your “three brains” — head
, heart
, and gut
— in the hope of connecting the dots to those sticky parts of our nature that matter to living our best life.
