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

Hi Morgan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I inadvertently learned a tough lesson about risk when I went to law school and spent 4 and half years as an unhappy lawyer.

It’s no secret that pursuing higher education is very expensive. But we don’t typically think about that huge financial commitment as a risk. We view it as investment in our future where the odds are overwhelmingly in our favor. We justify six-figure student debt as a means to an end. A way to secure higher paying jobs that will afford us a comfortable life.

In reality, paying for education a risk just like any other investment. There’s no guarantee that an expensive degree will lead to happiness, fulfillment, or the income that we imagined.

I learned this only after graduating from law school in 2013. I was a miserable lawyer and the not making the kind of money that made my law school debt feel worth it. I left law in 2017 and never looked back.

So when I think about the time and money that most people fear losing if an entrepreneurial venture doesn’t work out, those risks don’t scare me. In my mind, “been there, done that.” I know what it’s like to take a huge gamble, regret it, and land on my feet again.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Jiovanni Jewels is a fine jewelry brand. Like most women, I’ve always been into jewelry. I love how it spruces up an outfit and elevates a simple look to reflect your personality. But I started to think about jewelry differently when two major life events happened.

The first is when my now husband (then boyfriend) and I began shopping for my engagement ring back in 2017. Of course it was fun to create Pinterest boards and try on beautiful rings. But the excitement behind what the ring actually signified was especially meaningful.

The second was my father’s passing in 2021. It crushed me because we were very close. But I inherited his favorite necklace which he never took off. It’s now one of my most cherished possessions. Since then, I found myself buying tons of necklaces and rings with his initials because it’s my way of keeping him alive.

These two experiences highlighted how sentimental jewelry can be. I realized that more than other things we wear, jewelry is special because it tells a story and often times holds emotional value.

That’s why I started Jiovanni Jewels. I love the idea of helping people honor and celebrate special moments with quality jewelry that reflects their unique stories, styles and personalities.

Right now we offer custom engagement ring designs. Early next year, we’re dropping our collection of other types of jewelry including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Our pieces are handcrafted with premium materials: diamonds, moissanites, sapphires, and 14/18k gold.

Getting here has been fun but challenging. The fun part has been learning about precious gemstones, jewelry design and construction, and most importantly happy clients! The challenging part has been testing suppliers, marketing, and juggling everything without a team.

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?
Atlanta is an underrated food city so a week in ATL would include some of my favorite spots to eat. Mujo, Gun Show, and Atlas are all a must!

I’m into bike riding so we’d hit the Silver Comet Trail or even Piedmont Park just to get active. On the days we feel like something more relaxing, we’d go to the High Museum or do some mall shopping. If someone good is in town, I’d get concert or comedy show tickets. Otherwise, grabbing cocktails a cute rooftop bar is always fun. And if we’re feeling adventurous, a karaoke spot with a group of friends never fails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had quite a few business ideas and pivots over the years. Through them all my husband and mother have always been supportive and encouraging, even when it probably seems like I’m all over the place!

Website: https://www.jiovannijewels.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jiovannijewels

Other: TikTok: @jiovannijewels

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.