What Its Really Like to Work With Your Mom

People always tell us how lucky we are to run a business together , and we are. But if you’ve ever worked with your mom, you know “lucky” comes with a few fine print details.

The Good: History, Sparkle, and Shared Passion

Our favorite thing about Gilded Roach is that it lets us share what we love most, the beauty and mystery of antique and vintage jewelry. We get to spend hours (and hours) researching the history behind every piece we find, tracing its era, design, and craftsmanship. Half the fun is playing detective: Was this made in the Victorian period or Georgian? Is that stone an old European cut or transitional?

We’ve even traveled together to hunt for new treasures, going on long drives filled with playlists, snacks, and debates over which gemstone really rules (spoiler: there’s never a clear winner). The thrill of curating and discovering these beautiful, story-rich pieces never gets old.

And when we get a new piece in, we can’t wait to sit down and start digging into its story. Those are the moments that make us both light up like mother and daughter, jewelry nerds, completely lost in our shared obsession.

The Reality Check: Passion Isn’t Easy

People often assume it’s easier to start a business because I’m doing it with my mom. Like having a built-in partner makes everything fall into place. The truth? It’s not easy at all.

Aside from having the most trusted business partner I could ever ask for, I still work a full-time job to pay my bills. That means long days and even longer nights, seven days a week. Every dollar I make goes right back into Gilded Roach. This is my investment, my future. Many 20-year-olds might be spending on travel, college, or going out with friends. I’m putting mine into gold, garnets, and grit.

It’s exhausting at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Because every new listing, every connection with a customer, and every piece we restore feels like another step toward building something lasting.

The Bad: When Mom Mode Never Shuts Off (up)

Here’s the thing: we don’t just work together… we live together. Which means Mom doesn’t always remember to clock out of “Mom mode.”

We can be in the middle of photographing a 1920s Art Deco ring when she suddenly asks, “Did you schedule your oil change?” or “Have you been studying?” or “When was the last time you organized your workspace?”

Meanwhile, I’m trying to explain the brilliance of an old mine-cut diamond, and she’s halfway through a lecture about time management. It’s like running a small business and living inside a constant episode of Mom Boss.

We also talk to each other like… well, family. There are more “constructive debates” (and the occasional harsh word) than you’d ever get in a normal workplace. The days can be long, and when you mix love, stress, and a shared passion, things can get loud, but we always come back to laughter.

The Ugly (and Kind of Beautiful): Blurred Lines and Big Love

Working with your mom means the boundaries between work and home are basically imaginary. Conversations flow from gemstones to grocery lists to marketing strategy, all in one breath. We can be mid-discussion about Edwardian filigree and suddenly switch to when was the last time you got a haircut.

But here’s the truth: I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The best thing I get out of working with my mom is trust. The kind of trust you can’t buy or build with anyone else. I know she wants only the best for me, in business and in life.

Yes, there are emotional disputes, long days, and moments where we drive each other absolutely nuts. But there’s also laughter, growth, and the shared pride of building something beautiful together, one antique jewel at a time.