Growing up, Debbie Gaelen, our NJMompreneur of the Week, spent lots of time with her mom, heading to antique stores looking at vintage jewelry, but she never thought those excursions would be her destiny. By the time she turned 30 and her mother gifted her an antique ring, though, she was hooked and eventually parlayed it into a full-time career. Fast forward to The Embellished Path, where Debbie hunts for vintage and antique jewelry and sells her finds online, in showcases at antique stores, and by private appointment. We caught up with this Short Hills mom of Jordan, 27, and Jonathan, 25, to find out what made her realize she’s happiest working in a creative field, what her favorite jewelry pieces are, and her hands down favorite place to be in the Garden State (hint: you can see some world-class performances there).
Please tell us a bit about your family and background. I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Scarsdale with a younger brother and two amazing adoptive parents. Growing up, I often found myself in the city because my dad owned a trucking company in the garment center in Manhattan, and my mom was a teacher in the Bronx. I’ve always loved New York, and I still do. One of the many reasons I love Short Hills is its proximity to the city. We ended up here because it’s where my husband, Marc, was raised, but it also reminded me a lot of Scarsdale. It’s beautiful and has everything you could want, such as the incredibly gorgeous 28-acre Greenwood Gardens, many recreational activities, a world-class mall, great restaurants and shops within easy distance, and a fantastic school system. Our kids are prime examples of that. Marc and I have two sons. Jordan, 27, is now in medical school, and Jonathan, 25, is in law school.
What did you think you’d be doing career-wise when you were young? I never thought about what I’d be doing later, but since my mom was a special education teacher, I guess I just absorbed that. When the time came to figure out my future, I went to school to become an early childhood education teacher. I worked in the field for a few years, knowing that if I wanted to continue, I’d have to get a Master’s degree. Instead, I took a customer service and sales job for a packaging company, expecting to return to school later, but I loved what I was doing. I helped people create packaging for all types of products, and it made me realize that I was creative and enjoyed the creative process. I worked my way up to a manager there and enjoyed spearheading things for my department, giving me the business sense I’d need to have my own business someday. After working there for 12 years, I left it to be at home to raise my kids.
Where does your passion for antique jewelry come from? My mom definitely inspired me. Growing up, we’d constantly visit antique stores in search of jewelry, and it was so wonderful when I got to try on her beautiful pieces. Then, when I turned 30, she reset her mom’s engagement ring as a pinky ring and gifted it to me. That was it–I was hooked. Historic jewelry fascinates me. Antique pieces have a real story behind them, and I find it incredibly interesting to do the research and a deep dive into their history–I love to keep learning. At face value, certain pieces might seem like they shouldn’t be expensive at all, but they can have tremendous value. One example is Berlin Iron jewelry. It’s non-precious but highly collectible due to the circumstances surrounding it. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Prussian Royal family requested that the aristocracy and upper classes donate their fine jewelry to help fund the War. In return, they were given iron jewelry in appreciation for their loyalty. I love discovering information like this when researching pieces.
Our NJ Mompreneur of the Week in Vienna, with her husband Marc. She’s always hunting for treasures, especially when traveling to countries that have been around a lot longer than the relatively young United States.
What have you found to be the best and the most challenging about doing your own thing? For me, they’re two sides of the same coin. The flexibility and the freedom that comes with it can be a blessing because I have the freedom to do the things I want to do whenever I want to, but it’s also a curse because I need to make sure I get things done. If you’re like me, someone who thrives on structure, you can underestimate the time it takes to accomplish certain tasks. I’ve found my way around it by setting deadlines for myself—it definitely works.
Please share some of your favorite businesses and go-to spots. Rago Brothers in Morristown is the best multi-generational family repair business. You’d think it’s just a shoe repair shop from the outside, but they can fix anything that takes a stitch and then some. They do repair work for major luxury brands, and I’ve brought them everything from 19th-century French chairs that were splitting to leather cases, bags, belts, coats, and even jewelry. Recently, I found this cool designer coat, but it had so many moth holes in it. A friend of mine thought I was crazy to buy it, but I came up with the idea to add studs over all the holes, and they were able to source them and do all the work. Now I have this one-of-a-kind coat that’s cool as heck. I also love My Love Story in Summit, where I have a showcase of my antique jewelry there. I enjoy stopping in to visit the owner, Illyne, who has such a unique artistic eye and is so lovely to deal with. Another spot is Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center. My family and I have long been supporters of the Arts, and it’s my favorite place in New Jersey. It’s a nonprofit community theater that holds over 200 events every year–I’ve seen some incredible performances, including Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, Jerry Seinfeld, and so many more. Not surprisingly, another favorite thing of mine is to go treasure hunting, and Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market in Lambertville is always on my list.
What’s your best practical advice for a mompreneur just starting? For many types of businesses, you don’t have to open shop right away the traditional way, which can be time-consuming and very expensive. With the internet, online platforms, and pop-up shop options, you can move slowly and methodically and try to do it with as little financial investment as possible initially. Plan your business carefully so it doesn’t negatively affect other important areas of your life. Let it unfold slowly and grow with you, not force you into a position you’re not ready for.
For more information on Debbie Gaelen and The Embellished Path, please see their Instagram and Facebook pages.
