Meet Colby Janine: Artist & Owner- GEMZY

We had the good fortune of connecting with Colby Janine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Colby, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always let my intuition lead me–  in life & in business. I  believe our best ideas arrive as spontaneous bursts of inspiration. You hear artists, inventors, and entrepreneurs say it all the time- “it just hit me!” This is exactly how I founded my crystal company, GEMZY. Inspiration, intuition and intention. Before starting GEMZY, I was a full-time artist and songwriter. When I create music, I’m in the flow. I’m getting inspiration from something bigger than myself- it is exactly the same with GEMZY. Call it instinct, or intuition- but with lockdown and the direction our society is moving in- I knew there was a growing market for affordable,  ethically sourced crystals and gems. Thankfully I was right.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been blessed to create music for some of the biggest TV shows and artists in the world. Any artist or actor will tell you- the entertainment industry is an exercise in duality! There are huge highs and devastating lows- sometimes within days of each other. I learned very early on that my value is not based on external circumstances- whether or not I placed a song on an album or whether or not I landed that theme song. My value comes from within. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you have to be your number one fan. And this goes for any business, and life in general. There will be people that come along to help you on your path, but no one is going to put in the work or believe in your vision more than you. And why should they? It’s your life! It takes a laser-like focus to push past the distractions, disappointments and doubts- but if you can do it, you can accomplish anything! Becoming successful in music is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, so starting a product-based business feels like a breeze in comparison. GEMZY allows me to connect with people in a different way (than music) & If I’m completely honest, it’s so refreshing! Crystals have always played an important role in my life and I’m so happy that I can share my excitement with others. I love reading customer reviews and seeing the positive impact our crystals have had on their lives. It’s so rewarding.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s a little tricky because of lockdown, but here are some of my absolute favorite spots! -Vibe Ride (Midtown) forThe BEST spin class in the city. The owners are super friendly & the workout is intense. The playlists are top tier and you watch music videos during the class, so it flys by! -Canoe (Vinings) My go-to spot for a nice cocktail or dinner. It gets booked so make a reservation or go during the week as soon as the open. The smoked salmon potato cakes are my fav! -SAMA (Food For Balance)- healthy & delicious bowls & juices. They also offered meditation classes & sound baths PRE-COVID. -Infinity Floating & Healing Center (Braselton)- it’s a bit of a drive but totally worth it! This is where I go for float therapy & cryofacials.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom! In my kindergarten yearbook, we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. The answers were typical of what you’d expect from 5 year olds- “a princess, a fireman, a supehero.” My answer? “A business woman.” And that’s because that’s who my mom was. A mother of 2 young kids who quit her 9 to 5 to start her own business before it was trendy or popular. An immigrant from Jamaica who moved to the U.S. all alone to build the life she desired. My mom taught me to be fearless, take risks, and to follow my dreams- because life is too short to do it any other way!

Website: www.gemzy.me

Instagram: GEMZY: @lovegemzy MUSIC: @janinelamachine PERSONAL: @lovecolbyjanine

Other: tiktok: @lovecolbyjanine @lovegemzy