Hidden Gems: Meet Jenna Righi of Link Before You Sink

Hi Jenna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Blog Version- If you’re human, chances are you’ve been through a dark time in life and felt like isolating yourself from the outside world. Life is full of peaks and valleys, and while in a valley, I vowed to find a way to help individuals through tough times to know they’re not alone.

In 2014 my life completely shifted. After losing my father to a long battle with cancer, losing a close family friend, and breaking off an engagement within three weeks, I quit my job and relocated back to Columbus, Ohio from Florida to restart my life.

I was heartbroken, jobless, and buried in college debt; but was desperate to follow through on the promise I left my dad with – that he could pass knowing I would be “okay”. It took a while to get back on my feet and find happiness within myself again, but I did. I found my strength in “linking” with others. I “linked” up with those who have experienced loss; I “linked” up with friends and family who gave me their support; and I “linked” up with my faith. I quickly realized that one of the most basic human needs is connection.

While riding my bike one day my chain broke. I looked down and had an epiphany: the symbolism of “links” and connection while being broken hit me. I suddenly realized I could make jewelry charms out of the broken bike chain.

And so, Link Before You Sink, “LBYS” was born! Our mission is to help us find strength by linking with others. Everything broken has the chance to be beautiful again.

Whether your struggle is depression, loss, cancer, career, a miscarriage, a bad day – we’re here to *link* with you!

Like a broken bike chain, there’s something perfect about our imperfections. Let’s not sweep them under the rug hiding behind carefully edited social media posts! Let’s pull that stuff out and talk about it! When you’re going through a tough time, it’s vital that we “link” up with people.

Never underestimate the power of connection. No matter what struggle you’re going through, you’re not alone.

—XO, Jenna

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

My own personal struggle was the foundation my business was built on. I think it’s a good reminder that tough times can transition into some of your biggest blessings in life.

It is also still a challenge to get people to open up and share their story on our blog. However, everyone that does tells me they immediately feel like a weight is lifted for them, and they are able to gift the power of their story to someone else in need. Human connection is powerful. When you buy a piece of our jewelry or share your story, you become *linked* with our community.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Link Before You Sink (LBYS) was created to help us find strength by linking with others.

What sets us apart from other jewelry brands is that we’re handmade and mission driven. I consider us mission driven first, jewelry second. Our “why” is the most important part of our brand. Every piece is handmade (by us, never outsourced!) in Columbus, OH.

We’re not a traditional “fashion” brand. Our link jewelry pieces are worn as a reminder you’re not alone.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My grandmother was a jewelry maker. She used to make her own beads and she had a little jewelry shop in the back of her house in her sun room. When she passed away, I received all of her old jewelry/beads. I’ve actually created a couple of necklaces using some of her old quartz beads!