WHEN Lyn and Craig Blizzard opened Blizzards Fine Jewellers 32 years ago, their daughter Kara was just four years old.
Both had been working at local chain jeweller F.C. Johns when they decided to take the leap and establish their own business, despite having three young children at home.
Kara remembers the hard work her parents put into building Blizzards, with her mother Lyn becoming a familiar face in the store while managing customer service, stock, bookkeeping and everything in between.
Kara and her two brothers also spent plenty of time at the shop growing up, supported by their grandparents who helped care for the children while Lyn and Craig established the business.
Despite growing up surrounded by jewellery, there was never an expectation that Kara would join the family business.
“Mum and Dad were always really supportive of whatever we wanted to do,” she said. “We were never made to feel like we had to be part of the jewellery business, and to be honest, I had no idea that I would eventually end up working here.”
Instead, Kara followed her creative interests, working as a makeup artist for four years after developing a love of art at school. She also enjoyed computers, although she never imagined the two interests would eventually combine in a career designing jewellery.
After living and exploring NSW, Kara returned home around the same time a long-term Blizzards staff member was preparing to retire.
“I remember saying to my brothers, ‘Hmm, one of us probably needs to know a little bit about the business, just in case,'” she said. “So I stepped in — and then I ended up loving it.”
Kara gradually developed her own role within the business, learning from her parents and experienced staff while bringing her creativity and digital skills to jewellery design.
Her father Craig became one of her biggest teachers, passing on his extensive knowledge of diamonds and jewellery design.
“Dad can hand draw jewellery designs and he is incredible at it,” she said. “I learnt so much from him, and over time I was able to bring my own way of designing into the business.”
While Craig could bring a design to life with pencil and paper, Kara embraced computer-aided design, technology and social media, helping bring a modern perspective to the long-established family business.
Kara said her parents trusted her ideas and were willing to embrace change, while the values they established more than three decades ago remain at the heart of Blizzards.
“Kindness, honesty, genuine care for clients and quality jewellery” are values she continues to carry forward.
Working alongside her parents has also given Kara a greater appreciation for what they achieved.
“I feel so honoured that Mum and Dad managed to open a jewellery store while raising three children, but still made us feel like they were there for us and supported us growing up,” she said.
Now a mother of three herself, Kara hopes to continue the family business while balancing tradition with the need to move with the times.
“I think you have to keep moving with the times, but that honest and caring customer service is what really counts,” she said.
For Kara, the relationships Blizzards has built with its customers are among the business’s greatest achievements.
“A lot of them become more than clients — they become friends over the years,” she said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to continue doing what we love.”
