We recently had the chance to connect with Alyssa Ramirez and have shared our conversation below.
Alyssa , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Currently, my life is crazy because it’s summer time! Summer is always the best time for the small business peeps and it’s what we look forward to! I work two jobs at the moment. I wake up at 7:00 am everyday for my work from home job and I always gotta start my day with a cup of coffee and feeding my two cats. I then officially start my work day and will take clients during my breaks and sometimes lunch. A tooth gem takes about 5-10 mins to do and that can allow me to do 2 clients during my breaks. I usually will breakfast around 11 or 12. I’m off work about 5 everyday. I occasionally have clients after work at my salt lake location and will grab dinner down there or make dinner at home. About 9:00 I get ready for bed and will do photo editing for my gems around that time!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Alyssa, the founder of AV gems and jewelry, a tooth gem business I proudly started in 2020. What began as a creative passion quickly grew into a way to help people express their unique style. I specialize in safe, high-quality tooth gem applications using professional-grade materials that are both stylish and smile-friendly. Whether you’re going for subtle shimmer or bold bling, I’m here to help you shine with confidence!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Growing up, I watched my dad dedicate himself fully to providing for our family. He made countless sacrifices—often putting his role as a husband and father second to long hours of hard work—to make sure we were always taken care of. Watching him do this taught me the value of responsibility and work ethic, but it also showed me something even deeper: that while work is important, it should never come at the cost of the people you love. His sacrifice taught me that work is not life.. family is. And now, because of him, I strive to find a balance where I can work hard but never lose sight of what truly matters.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a point where I almost walked away from doing tooth gems. Dealing with rude and disrespectful clients started to take a toll on me, and I questioned whether it was all worth it. But then I took a step back and reminded myself of the passion, time, and dedication I’ve poured into building my business from the ground up. I thought about the amazing clients who support me, uplift me, and make it all worth it. In the end, they reminded me why I started and why I’m not giving up.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
When it comes to my small business, what you see is truly who I am. My public self is my real self, kind, laid-back, and always showing up with a bubbly personality. I genuinely love connecting with my clients and take the time to get to know each and every one of them on a personal level. But being this open and caring has its challenges. Some people try to take advantage of my kindness. Still, I stay true to who I am, because I know that being real is what makes my business meaningful. The relationships I’ve built and the trust my clients have in me remind me that showing up as myself is my biggest strength.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I truly believe in helping people and always putting my clients first. To me, it’s not just about the service, it’s about making people feel seen, valued, and cared for. Not everyone understands that mindset, and some may even take it for granted. But I do it because it’s who I am. I know the impact of showing up with heart, and I’m proud to run my business with that kind of intention and purpose every single day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Avgems_
