Success With Jewelry, Episode 160

Laryssa and Liz on Feeling Behind in Business (And What It Really Means)

Air Date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Laryssa Wirstiuk & Liz Kantner

Episode Overview

In this episode, Laryssa and Liz have a candid discussion about a topic that resonates with many jewelry professionals: the pervasive feeling of being “behind”—behind on tasks, sales, business milestones, or compared to industry peers. Drawing from their combined 16+ years of marketing and business growth experience in the jewelry sector, the hosts unpack the roots of this anxiety. They share personal stories, challenge the illusions created by social media, and offer grounded advice for reframing expectations and renewing motivation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Designers Feel “Behind”

• Invisible Workloads and High Expectations:

  • Daily to-do lists, unexpected calls, and unseen behind-the-scenes work leave tasks unfinished, leading to the sense of falling behind.
  • “All the to do is just pile up and then you, you're on calls all day and then...I have so many things to like sit down and actually...do.” —Liz (01:51)

• Comparison Trap:

  • Comparing oneself to other brands, sales figures, or perceived success on social media amplifies feelings of inadequacy.
  • The team discusses how seeing others at trade shows or with big online followings can spark self-doubt.
  • “I don’t have that number of followers or...I’m not making as many sales as them or they’re doing trade show and I’m not. And I should be at that level by now.” —Laryssa (01:51)

2. Compounding Pressures and Time of Year

• The feeling is especially acute during transitions—like early in the year when big plans meet operational realities.
• “It always kind of creeps up in...this time of the year where...you start the year strong...then now I’m certainly feeling like, oh, gosh...I gotta get on it.” —Liz (02:41-03:21)

3. Growth, Transition, & Business Phases

• These feelings often crop up during periods of growth or recalibration.
• It’s normal for designers to feel outpaced by ambitions or market changes, especially when entering new phases.
• There’s an acknowledgement of current industry challenges (like rising metal prices), but also a reminder that not every problem can be solved instantly.

4. Role of Social Media in Amplifying Feeling "Behind"

• Social platforms can reflect and magnify existing self-doubt but rarely cause it from scratch.

• “If I’m already having a doubt or a worry...the social media stuff just reinforces that...it’s just, like, reflecting back to me.” —Laryssa (05:17)

• Struggles with “showing up” on camera or presenting a brand can trigger frustration when compared to industry influencers.

• “I just—so oftentimes that kind of triggers something in me where I’m like, on social media, seeing it, I’m like, gosh, I should do that too.” —Liz (05:40)

5. It Takes Time—And Every Business Is Unique

• There’s no shortcut for experience; early years are for learning, experimenting, and clarifying your market.

• “It does take time to find your voice, to find your footing...who your client is...It takes years.” —Liz (06:16)

• Clients often ask about copying models or worry about competition, but even similar brands are different beneath the surface.

• “There’s no way to copy someone’s exact business model. Even if you have...a similar aesthetic...you don’t know somebody’s business fully until you’re in it.” —Laryssa (07:45)

6. Industry Experience: Community Over Competition

• The jewelry industry thrives on mutual support rather than scarcity or rivalry.

• “There’s room for everyone here. And she [Cindy Edelstein] just, she believed that. And so I believe that.” —Liz (09:53)

• Sharing industry connections and resources helps everyone grow—a rising tide lifts all boats.

7. Responding to “Behind” Productively

• Don’t respond to panic by scattering your focus or seeking “magic bullet” solutions.

• Return to core principles: revisit your goals, clarify your audience, and check alignment with your brand’s purpose.

• “That type of panic often leads to like a scattered energy or kind of like saying yes to things that maybe don’t make sense for the brand, rather than...restabilizing.” —Liz (10:46)

• There are no magic formulas; progress comes from consistency and meaningful, focused action—not reactive busyness.

• “There’s no magic. We’ve said this here before, but there’s no magic solution.” —Laryssa (12:33)

• “Progress comes from consistency, not just doing a lot of things sporadically.” —Liz (12:39)

8. Clarity and Consistency Win

• Intentionality and clarity in messaging and goals are essential—not only for internal focus but for communicating with customers.
• “The clearer you are internally in your business, the clearer your audience will be and the people you’re talking to.” —Liz (13:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Reality of Feeling Behind:
  “Feeling both of those kinds of behind at the same time has to be the worst kind of business hell.” —Laryssa (02:33)

• On Social Media & Self-Doubt:
  “It’s not necessarily that it’s like creating it for me, creating a fomo, it’s more that I’m already feeling it on some level and that it’s just, like, reflecting back to me.” —Laryssa (05:17)

• On Experience and Patience:
  “I don’t know, you can’t learn really anything about your customer, about your business, about where you should be or go in like a year. It’s just not realistic.” —Liz (07:24)

• On Community over Competition:
  “When I came into the jewelry industry...there’s room for everyone here. And she just, she believed that. And so I believe that.” —Liz (09:53)
  “A rising tide lifts all boats. Like, I truly believe it...” —Liz (10:23)

• On Revisiting Goals:
  “Circling back...sometimes if you’re feeling behind, it could be worth looking at your goals again. Always checking in with your goals and—because sometimes it’s about being out of alignment.” —Liz (10:46)

Key Timestamps

• 01:31: Both hosts admit recent feelings of being behind and how it’s a recurring theme in their work.
• 02:33: Discussion of comparison to other brands and how it can amplify feeling behind.
• 05:17: The influence of social media on business confidence and self-expectation.
• 06:16–07:45: Insights on the time it actually takes to establish a jewelry business and the impossibility of copying another’s path.
• 09:53: Emphasis on the uniquely collaborative spirit of the jewelry industry.
• 10:46: Importance of revisiting and aligning with goals when feeling lost or behind.
• 12:33: No "magic" formulas—consistency prevails.
• 13:01: The internal clarity needed for external brand success.

Summary & Takeaways

Laryssa and Liz’s conversation offers relatable validation for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re falling short in business. They remind listeners that feeling behind is natural, especially for entrepreneurs, but it’s often a sign it’s time to recalibrate, not panic. Their experienced advice? Focus on what you can control: get clear on your values and goals, resist the urge to compare your journey to others’, and take consistent, intentional action. Community, patience, and authenticity remain at the core of long-term jewelry business success.

For more discussions and resources, visit: successwithjewelry.com