Astrid & Miyu’s founder bought two flats in her 20s: ‘I used one to fund my MBA and the other to fund the business’
Astrid & Miyu founder Connie Nam unwinds from the stress of running 22 jewelry shops with fortnightly manicures and monthly massages.
What would you do if you had a six-figure salary? Perhaps you’d never cook another meal again or indulge in a monthly Thai massage and a Soho House membership to unwind from the stress that comes with being at your A-game.
Here at The Good Life you don’t have to imagine what life at the top looks like anymore: Get real-life inspiration for how the most successful live their lives.
Today Fortune meets Connie Nam, the brainchild behind London’s hottest jewelry chain right now, Astrid & Miyu.
A world away from the pink walls and bling-adorned stores she now runs, the 44-year-old London-based entrepreneur started out her career in investment banking.
Burned out and over the rate race, Nam started making jewelry from the kitchen table of her flat in 2012—and from there, Astrid & Miyu was born.
What started out as a passion project, is now bringing in over £34 million a year and stocked in the iconic department stores, Harrods and Selfridges.
179,363 pairs
The number of earring pairs sold by Astrid & Miyu in the last year.
The once small online business has rapidly spun into a chain with 23 stores across Britain and the U.S. that also offer tattoos to go with your new ear candy.
Astrid & Miyu’s latest store in Carnaby, London:
Astrid & Miyu
Astrid & Miyu
And it’s not slowing down any time soon: In August, Nam cut the ribbon to Astrid & Miyu’s latest store in Carnaby, the heart of London and it’s set to open its first European store in Amsterdam later this year.
The finances
Fortune: What has been the best investment you’ve ever bought?
While working in investment banking, I bought 2 flats in Hong Kong before the age of 27. I don’t have them anymore but they have been the best investments—I used one to fund my MBA and the other to fund the business.
The worst?
A pair of Christian Louboutin sandals. They are so gorgeous but I regret every time I wear them as they’re so uncomfortable!
“Save up and invest as much as you can.”
What do your childcare arrangements look like?
I have the most amazing housekeeper who lives with us. She does the drop-off and pick-ups from school. Before children went to school, I always had a full time nanny as both I and my husband have demanding jobs.
Courtesy of Astrid & Miyu
What personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Save up and invest as much as you can. As well as the 2 flats I bought in my twenties I also made some good returns on my equity portfolio during that time which gave me tremendous amount of freedom in my 30s to follow my passion.
What’s the one subscription you can’t live without?
Financial Times. I go through the FT app every morning to read the headlines.
The necessities
How do you get your daily coffee fix?
I have a bean to cup machine at home, so I normally make 5 cups of oat flat white at home. I am also into matcha these days.
What about eating on the go?
I always make sure I take one hour during the work day to have a proper sit-down lunch. When I am in the office, I try to use this time as one-on-one time with my team. When I am working from home, I make sure I take a walk after lunch. This is a sacred time for me, and I never eat at my desk, even when I am super busy.
Kirsty O’Connor—PA Images/Getty Images
Where do you buy groceries?
Ocado, Wholefoods and Bayley & Sage.
How often in a week do you dine out versus cook at home?
3x a week dine out and the rest at home.
“I always make sure I take one hour during the work day to have a proper sit-down lunch.”
Where do you shop for your work wardrobe?
Everywhere! I love to shop with local brands whenever I travel. But when in London, Sezane and Arket are my go-to for comfortable workwear.
The treats
How do you unwind from the top job?
With the occasional Pelaton ride or weight training, fortnightly nail treatments, monthly massages and date nights with my husband.
Cavan Images/Getty Images
What’s the best bonus treat you’ve bought yourself?
The Celine classic bag.
Take us on holiday with you, what’s next on your vacation list?
In August I am going to Tuscany for 2 weeks with my family. We normally like to try different places but historically they’ve all been hotel resorts with kids clubs. This time, we are trialing one week in a villa and one week in a hotel.
Ellen van Bodegom—Getty Images
The one place we have been to multiple times in Sardinia, it’s so beautiful and peaceful with gorgeous food. I’d recommend it to anyone planning a family holiday.
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