30. How the Princess of Wales’ favourite designer would build a jewellery brand in 2025 | Kiki McDonough

How would a Jeweller who has become a favourite amongst the royal family start from scratch in 2025?

In this episode of All About Business, James interviews Kiki McDonagh, a fifth-generation jeweler renowned for her work with high-profile clients including Princess Diana and the current Princess of Wales. They discuss how she transformed the perception of fine jewellery, making it more accessible and encouraging women to buy for themselves. She shares insights into her design inspiration, the evolution of her brand, and the importance of business strategies such as starting small, maintaining strict financial oversight, and building customer trust. 

Celebrating 40 years in the industry, Kiki outlines her future plans, including expansion into the American market. 

Timestamps

03:26 Designing with passion and innovation

05:21 Building a brand and customer relationships

14:32 Navigating the luxury market

20:26 The impact of social media and online sales

26:36 Advice for aspiring jewellers

31:53 Building trust and brand identity

38:37 Challenges and opportunities in the jewellery industry

49:18 Expanding into the American market

53:03 Looking forward: Future plans and reflections

Links:

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at Reed Global

Visit Kiki McDonagh here

Visit Kiki McDonagh on Instagram

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media