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Nerissa Parisi Hill
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Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Are you looking for a snack with clean ingredients, 12 grams of protein and high fiber? I love Trubar's glazed donut and chocolate chip flavor flavors and they even have fun new flavors and kid friendly options. Grab yours now and get 15 off your next purchase with code. Jackie Zook. Treat your body, fuel your day and I will put the link in the comments. Welcome to Next on Scene. The human behind the brand. I'm Jacqueline Zuckerman delorey, award winning publicist, mom and media visionary. I believe visibility isn't just about being seen, it's about being of service. Each week we are going to uncover real stories behind success. The breakthroughs, the heartbreaks and the moments that made you who you are. Because the truth is, the more we allow ourselves to be human, the more powerful our impact becomes. This is where visibility meets legacy. This is next on Scene. Welcome to Next on Scene where we go behind the highlight reel and meet the human behind the brand. Today we have the amazing Nerissa Parisi Hill. Nerissa is the visionary founder and lead designer behind Tesoro Boston, a fine jewelry store and design studio known for its bespoke creations, modern craftsmanship and personal design experience. Nerissa, welcome to Next on Scene.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Thank you for having me, Jackie. Excited to be here.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
One of my besties. What a special honor. So we always start with a red carpet moment. So being that you're a designer by trade.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Thank you.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
We're going to do your intro in a few, but I want to first talk about what you're wearing. So we are wearing ivory with some amazing snakeskin shoes. Thank you. A beautiful brown leather jacket. So ivory means it's a sense of elegance, sophistication, modern luxury, which I think is so on brand for Nursa. Do we agree?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
It totally suits me.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Totally suits. And then the shoes are also a symbol of luxury. So snakestone means confidence and individuality, which I think is valid.
Podbean/Vanta Advertiser
Love that.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Thank you. And then the jacket. So the brown leather is authenticity, ruggedness with the classic adventurous speed. And I was like, this is Nerissa. It's so bright and new. Of course you're a jewelry girl. So what are we wearing for jewelry? Xavier, can we zoom in on some jewelry too?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Today I'm wearing my Typical gear, but my favorite gear. And I'm wearing these pieces because they all really mean something to me.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
And did you design? Okay, walk, walk. Go ahead, walk us through. So tell Xavier what are we wearing?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Okay. So this piece in particular is really special to me because the diamond in this ring belonged to David's dad. David is my husband. And. And David designed this piece. I did not design this one. David designed this piece for me because it has a really sentimental stone that's really special and I get to wear it. I never met his father, who was also a jeweler and a master watchmaker. So this is the legacy piece and it's really special.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
I love that.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
I love that.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
I feel like that so speaks to your brand. Okay, come sit. We're going to have a chat.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Okay. Okay.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
We start with a red carpet song choice because I'm making a playlist. So what would be Nerissa's red carpet song choice?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Oh, wow. Oh, my gosh. First question out of the gate, you've already stumped me. Okay. This might seem a little off brand for me and it might show my age, but. Hey, Ladies by the Beastie Boys.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
So good. Classic Bell. I love it. Classic.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
It's got some inspo and it's got great beats.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Great choice. Great choice. We will talk about more of that in a little while. So I want to do your amazing intro. So co founder of Tesoro Boston, lead designer. What an amazing woman you are and such a dynamic background. So tell us a little bit about Tesoro Boston for people who don't know what it is.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Tesoro Boston, we are a. I would call us a boutique brand. Right. We are a custom jewelry house. But we also, for those that are interested in looking, we also do carry ready to wear items. But our primary bread and butter is custom jewelry design.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
And I think what's so unique is your design bar. Right. Like, so cool. So you come in and not everything's laid out. It's very comforting when you come in. Can we talk about that a little bit?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Yes. We call it the diamond and design bar. And the whole premise of our store is you walk in and you are not greeted by your typical showcase after showcase after showcase of ready to wear pieces. And the reason we did that is because we live in an area where there are a lot of great legacy type of jewelry stores and jewelry brands. And what we wanted to do is we wanted to create a different experience for the jewelry shopper. It started out initially as something that was inspired by, let's say you Jackie had something that you inherited from your parents or your grandparents, and you wanted to turn it into something new. What we found is that there weren't a lot of jewelers who really embraced that part of the jewelry experience. And we started there, and to do that, we needed a space where we could sit and talk and commune, and we weren't necessarily distracted by a lot of ready to wear pieces. And so from that idea came the jewelry diamond in the design bar.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
It's so fun. And I'm turning this because I want to make sure we can carry you too, even though we got both. So I love that. And then I also want to commend you guys because you guys are so well known for the custom. All the custom pieces you can redesign and re. Get creative with. Can you talk about one of your favorite heirlooms you've done to date?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Oh, wow. I'm not even sure that I could actually pick one. We have done so many cool pieces, and the reason why I can't really pick one is because there's a story behind every single piece that we've done. And they're inspired by everything that you can think of, right? They're inspired by somebody getting married. They're inspired by somebody losing a loved one. I will say that there's one particular client that stands out, and not because we don't love all of them. We do. But this one particular client, she knows who she is. She came in when she was a preteen, and she had found a piece of jewelry in the parking lot, and she wanted to know if it was real. And when we told her it was real, she came in accompanied by her mom, and her mom let her do all the talking. And she wanted to make her very first custom piece of jewelry with that item that she had found in a parking lot. And from there, she has grown with us, and. And we have done her engagement ring and her wedding bands and all of her really important life pieces. So we have grown together since that very first time. And it just shows that people have a sentimental connection to jewelry and a love for it. And every piece we make is really something special. And, you know, I know I'm wearing.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Tutorial all day, every day, so it's.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Really hard to pick, but I think that really represents what it means and how it can follow you through the thread of your life.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
That. So what does tesoro mean, by the way?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Tesoro means treasure in Italian, and we stumbled upon that name by watching a movie.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Hilarious.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Under the Tuscan sun. We were Trying to find a name. Yeah, we love it. We love Italy. I'm Italian, and my father was born and raised in Italy. And so we were trying to find a name for our business, and we were watching under the Tuscan sun, and they used that term in the movie, and it sounded beautiful, and it sort of rolled off the actor's tongue. We're like, I wonder what that means. And so we talked to my dad, and it's actually a term of endearment. So darling. Darling. But the literal translation means treasure.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
So cool. And you have such a dynamic background. Like, did not start in jewelry, like, worked in the police force. Like, have done it. Like, how did you end up in the jewelry business?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
David Fair. David is a global diamondaire. He grew up in the jewelry business. His father owned four retail jewelry stores in Massachusetts. His father is a master watchmaker. Most of his family was in the jewelry business, and he spent years in the wholesale and in New York working with some of the largest diamond manufacturing.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
But what made you decide to go in as a partner with him that moment for either? Like, I think I'm kind of done with corporate. Like, I'm willing to go do something on my own.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
We had both experienced the downsize, and we were sort of looking at each other and wondering what our next moves were going to be. And we thought our skill set essentially just complimented each other. I had an operations background, an IT background, a project management background. We thought, well, David had such a storied history in this industry. There was a lot to learn, and I had the back end of the business coverage. So we're like, why don't we do this together?
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
And it's so cool. I've been seeing you, like, how you're designing now, incorporating your IT background. Like, so cool. Do you feel like you're using that skill set still on a regular basis? Yeah. Yeah.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
It's precision. So when you're working in a corporate world, everything you do is about making things move quickly and efficiently and an eye to detail, and we're just moving that into a different area. So when you're designing something, you're looking to make every detail matter and every detail count. And how do you do that efficiently and beautifully? And how do you allow a client to wear that every single day and have IT work for their life?
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
So true. I just love watching the whole design process. It's so inspiring.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Yeah. It allows you to be a part of it, too. Which is. Which is the best part.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Right.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
And also one of the reasons why we ended up taking that in house, you know, when you're running your own business, you're looking for ways to be more efficient, but also to bring your client into the experience. And in our early days, we used to have another artisan do that for us. And how do you close that gap? How do you make what you're doing even more intimate and have your clients be a part of it? And it was always something that I was interested in as a person. I had these equal parts business and equal parts artistry. And this allowed us not only to bring that portion of the business in house, but it allowed us to.
Podbean/Vanta Advertiser
Make.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
It faster for the client so you can experience a custom piece in a much, much faster. Right. But without having somebody else do the work. So it allows us to be more efficient. It allows you to be part of the process, which makes it even more special.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Yeah. Who's been a part of it? Like, I just love it. Like, I wear my initial necklace you made and designed every day with my whole family. I get compliments on all the time. So thank you. I like, love it so much. I love it. So this ties in more to the vulnerable pieces of business and, you know, like, visibility and all those things. And I think people come to you and share their most vulnerable moments with you. Right. You see people in some of their very, like, sacred spaces. And so in order to be visible, we have to be vulnerable. So are you open to sharing one of your stories that kind of really made you change the trajectory of your life?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Sure, sure.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Go for it.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
I feel like. I feel like a lot of people can relate to this. You spend a lot of your life in the corporate world, and you realize that you've invested a lot of time and a lot of energy into a company or companies or a path, and I did that just like a lot of other people do. And I found it rewarding, and I really loved it. I love the structure, I loved climbing. I loved the movement. I loved the people I met. And then at the end of the.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Day.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
The company has to do what's best for them. Right. They have to make money, they have to grow. They have to change, just like every company does. And so you get to a point where you're like, okay, what about me?
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Right?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
How do I get to a point where I'm doing things that are. That are the most rewarding for myself and that allow me to grow and. And fulfill you, really? And to be fulfilling. Right. And I know when David and I sat down and started discussing about what are the next steps for us do we go back and continue looking for the next layer of our work life in the corporate environment, or do we kind of solidify our relationship together and maybe see if we can work together? And I think that is ultimately how we ended up starting this business together. We renovated a home together, and in doing that, we realized that it was rewarding and fulfilling, and we were proud. And we thought, maybe we can work.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Together, though, like, Instasora is, what, 14 years old now? Yes. Amazing. Congratulations.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Thank you.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Like, thank you for sharing that. Because I feel like a lot of people definitely go through, like, that moment where they're like, do I want to continue on this path? It's not fulfilling me anymore. Or, like, do I want to start over and really feel fulfilled every day?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Right. And it's hard. It's hard work to do that. It's hard work to take that leap when you've invested so much in another avenue.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
So true. Okay, I want to play game time.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Okay, let's go. Okay, I'm ready.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
So we're gonna do this or that, and then we're gonna do rapid fire.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Okay.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Silver, gold, or platinum?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Platinum.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
I love Paris or Boston.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Boston, then Paris.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
I love that. Rome in the middle.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Rome in the middle.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Sketchbook or 3D render?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
3D render.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Ooh, I figured that for Nerissa. Diamonds or gemstones?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Diamonds.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Heirloom redesign or brand new commission?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Brand new commission using heirloom stones.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Creative. Morning coffee or evening champagne?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Morning coffee and evening champagne.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Okay, fair.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
I'm gonna take the one to one.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
I love it. Minimalist or statement pieces?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
I would say start your wardrobe with minimalism and add statement pieces as you grow.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
I love it. Classic elegance or modern edge?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Classic.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Okay, fair. And I want to do rapid fire really quick, and then we will close out. So one word that describes your design philosophy.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Be true to yourself. Know your lane. Know your lane. Everyone buys onto trends, but know your own style.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Yeah. Love that. It's timeless gemstone that best represents your personality.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
And why diamond? Because it has a clean aesthetic and.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
It'S neutral on brand for you.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
It's on brand for me. Sapphire would be next.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Perfect. Dream client you would love to design for.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Oh, dream client. Wow. Oh, Steven Tyler from Aerosmith.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
That's it. One thing. What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
I have a tendency to be an introvert.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Okay. I can totally see that. Definitely can see that. As your friend, I know that.
Podbean/Vanta Advertiser
Okay.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Okay. And then what is one lesson the jewelry industry has taught about yourself?
Nerissa Parisi Hill
That creativity is boundless.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Great advice. Narsi you are amazing. Thank you so much for coming on today. How can people follow you? Get in touch all the things you.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Can find us on Instagram at tesoroboston you can find us on the web tesoroboston.com and you can email us info tesoroboston.com Everyone needs a tesoro Boston oh.
Jacqueline Zuckerman Delorey
Thank you thank you for tuning in to Next on Scene. Thank you for Stay tuned for who's Next on Scene. Are you looking for a snack with clean ingredients, 12 grams of protein and high fiber? I love Trubar's glazed donut and chocolate chip flavors and they even have fun new flavors and kid friendly options. Grab yours now and get 15% off your next purchase with code JACKIEZOOK Treat your body, fuel your day and I will put the link in the comments. I'm here to give you your red carpet moment so follow us on all our podcast channels on any stream from iheartradio Spotify. If you just type in Next on Scene the human behind the brand. Or you can also follow us on all our social media channels. Next on Scene can't for you to come on this journey with us. Your site is very impactful as an audience member so come along for the ride and we are going to all evolve together and we can't wait for you to see who's next on scene.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
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Use PodBean AI to optimize your podcast.
Nerissa Parisi Hill
Use PodBean AI to turn your blog into a podcast.
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Episode: From Code to Carats: Nerissa Parisi on Choosing Passion Over the Path You’re Given
Host: Jaclyn Zukerman Delory
Guest: Nerissa Parisi Hill (co-founder and lead designer of Tesoro Boston)
Date: January 21, 2026
This episode explores the journey of Nerissa Parisi Hill, who transitioned from a background in corporate operations and IT to co-founding Tesoro Boston, a fine jewelry design studio. Through candid conversation with host Jaclyn Zukerman Delory, Nerissa shares how personal legacy, authenticity, and embracing vulnerability shaped both her path and her business. With stories behind bespoke jewelry, lessons learned in switching careers, and reflections on building a client-centered experience, the episode delves deep into the true human side of building a brand with meaning.
[01:43 - 03:16]
Jaclyn opens by describing Nerissa’s outfit (ivory, snakeskin shoes, brown leather jacket), tying style choices to Nerissa's personal and brand attributes: elegance, sophistication, confidence, authenticity, and adventure.
Jewelry Spotlight: Nerissa highlights a sentimental diamond ring designed by her husband using his late father’s diamond—a piece loaded with family legacy and emotional resonance.
"This piece in particular is really special to me because the diamond in this ring belonged to David's dad ... I never met his father, who was also a jeweler and a master watchmaker. So this is the legacy piece and it's really special."
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [02:46]
[04:06 - 05:40]
Tesoro Boston is characterized as a custom jewelry house with a "diamond and design bar" instead of traditional showcases.
The brand intentionally creates a personal, communal space focused on storytelling, transformation, and involving clients in the creative process.
Client Engagement: Nerissa notes how the process honors heirlooms and sentimental jewelry, reshaping them into new stories.
"We wanted to create a different experience for the jewelry shopper ... there weren’t a lot of jewelers who really embraced that part of the jewelry experience. So from that idea came the jewelry diamond in the design bar."
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [04:35]
[05:57 - 07:27]
Nerissa shares a touching story about a client who—as a preteen—had customized her first jewelry piece with Tesoro, and later returned for her engagement and wedding rings.
The jewelry they create is interwoven into major life moments, reflecting the emotional attachment people have to these objects.
"We have done so many cool pieces, and the reason why I can't really pick one is because there's a story behind every single piece that we've done ... people have a sentimental connection to jewelry and a love for it. And every piece we make is really something special."
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [05:57]
[07:35 - 08:21]
The name “Tesoro” means “treasure” in Italian, also a term of endearment. They found the word while watching “Under the Tuscan Sun,” and it felt fitting for what their brand aims to create.
"We were watching 'Under the Tuscan Sun,' and they used that term in the movie, and it sounded beautiful ... it's actually a term of endearment. So darling. But the literal translation means treasure."
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [07:38]
[08:21 - 09:38]
Contrary to assumption, Nerissa did not start in jewelry; her background spans law enforcement and IT.
She joined forces with her husband David, who comes from a multi-generational jewelry background, after corporate downsizing led both to reevaluate their futures.
Their complementary skills—David’s deep jewelry knowledge and Nerissa’s operations/project management experience—formed a strong business foundation.
"We thought our skill set essentially just complimented each other. I had an operations background, an IT background, a project management background ... So we're like, why don't we do this together?"
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [09:06]
[09:38 - 11:25]
Nerissa still actively utilizes her IT skills—particularly precision, efficiency, and attention to detail—in her jewelry work.
She describes how bringing the design process in-house (instead of outsourcing) makes creations both faster and more intimate for clients.
"When you're designing something, you're looking to make every detail matter and every detail count ... it allows us to be more efficient. It allows you to be part of the process, which makes it even more special." — Nerissa Parisi Hill [09:49, 11:09]
[11:57 - 13:53]
Nerissa talks about her leap from a stable corporate path to entrepreneurship, emphasizing how personal growth often requires stepping away from the familiar.
She reflects on the moment she realized fulfillment had to come from within, not just from external achievement or corporate advancement.
"You spend a lot of your life in the corporate world ... you get to a point where you're like, okay, what about me? ... How do I get to a point where I'm doing things that are the most rewarding for myself and that allow me to grow and fulfill you, really?"
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [12:04]
"It's hard work to take that leap when you've invested so much in another avenue."
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [14:04]
[14:14 - 16:18]
Fun, personality-driven questions reveal more about Nerissa’s taste and philosophy:
Rapid Fire:
On legacy and connection:
"Every piece we make is really something special ... it can follow you through the thread of your life."
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [07:27]
On courage and starting over:
"Do I want to continue on this path? It's not fulfilling me anymore. Or like, do I want to start over and really feel fulfilled every day?"
— Jaclyn Zukerman Delory [13:53]
On design authenticity:
"Be true to yourself. Know your lane. Everyone buys onto trends, but know your own style."
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [15:29]
On creativity and limits:
“That creativity is boundless.”
— Nerissa Parisi Hill [16:15]
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------| | 01:43 | Introduction and style discussion | | 02:46 | Story behind Nerissa’s diamond ring | | 04:06 | Tesoro Boston’s philosophy & setup | | 05:57 | Favorite client heirloom story | | 07:35 | Name origin: “Tesoro” | | 08:31 | Career background & transition | | 09:38 | Using IT in jewelry design | | 11:57 | Vulnerability and career leap | | 14:14 | “This or That” game | | 15:29 | Rapid fire—design philosophy, more | | 16:15 | Jewelry industry lesson & closing |
Summary Note:
This episode is an inspiring listen for anyone at a crossroads, juggling practical skills with creative urges, or desiring to leave a legacy—whether in business, family, or self-expression. Nerissa’s story embodies the transformative magic that happens when you step off the expected path and design your journey with intention and heart.