Ming Lampson, 33, owns and runs fine jewellers, Ming, where she designs one- off and limited edition pieces of jewellery in mostly gold and platinum. She shared her business story.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO WORK WITH JEWELLERY? It almost happened by accident. When I was 17 someone owed me money and paid off the debt with a bag of precious and semi precious gem stone beads, which they'd collected. I've always created things so as I wanted the cash, I made necklaces with the beads and sold them. I'm called Ming because I was born in Hong Kong and lived there until I was 5. Ming means 'bright' in Mandarin, so perhaps my career was destined!

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? After school, when I was travelling through India, I was fascinated by a goldsmith working on a roadside in Jaipur. I sat next to him every afternoon watching what he did. I was hooked and inspired so in the mornings I'd also meet gem dealers and offered to sort their stones if they'd teach me all they knew. Instead of 2 months, I lived in India for 2 years and discovered what I wanted to do with my life. I came back to study for a degree in silversmithing and jewellery making and design at the London Metropolitan University. After that I learnt how to appraise diamonds at the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST THINK ABOUT OPENING THE SHOP? My business evolved. I worked throughout college to pay my way so it wasn't a drastic move but rather a series of processes. I opened the shop last summer when I was already established with real collectors who love my pieces. I didn't need to open a shop for business, but I loved the idea of an atelier and going back to the 1920s when, at places like Cartier and Chanel, everything happened on the premises. I have my workshop downstairs and showroom upstairs and I'm constantly running between the two.

WHERE DID YOU GET THE FINANCE? I had already built up the stock and had tools so only needed to buy the premises and to pay for the refit, and the bank was happy to give me a loan. I'm very independent so it's easier for me without financial backers. If I feel a creative need to make something absurd or to experiment, I'm not answerable to any-ones else's investment.

WHO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS? I have many different customers and my pieces cost from £100 - £40,000. Many of my clients are very well-known but I think buying a piece of jewellery is a romantic exchange and it's vital that I'm discrete, so I'd never reveal who comes to the store.

HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR WORK? I'm lucky that it's mostly by word-of-mouth – people like to show off what I've made and tell friends where they got it.

DO YOU WORK ALONE? No, I now have four permanent members of staff and also have a network of British craftsmen who I contact when I need a specialist with expertise in particular stones or techniques.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS? The ideas for commissions come from the customer. One traditional Englishman wanted to buy something for a girlfriend who was Texan. So, I designed a rhinestone cowgirl ring with a vintage English feel. I fill sketchbooks when I'm travelling and with ideas after visiting galleries or museums and these are the start of my collections. I'm currently adding to an Asian Princess theme that I've been working on for about a year.

WHATS YOUR USP? Being able to visualise what suits someone's style and personality and capture that in a design. I'm lucky that I am often able to know what someone's dreaming about before they realise themselves. And I'm good at understanding what suits someone's skin tone or finger length. Also, because of my varied training I'm not only a jeweller but also a gemmologist and a diamond appraiser.

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MOVE? Enjoying a long apprentice, and not restricting myself by working for anyone else. This ensured that I develop my own unique way of working. I worked in silver then made wholesale collections so I've gradually learnt all aspects of the industry and running a jewellery business. I'm always travelling and wherever I go I make sure to visit craftsmen to learn more. I love mixing techniques, say creating a piece using combing the traditional Sri Lankan technique of cuttle fish casting with laser welding.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS JUST STARTING OUT IN BUSINESS? Have faith in your own way of working and be passionate about it.

WHATS YOUR AMBITION?To create pieces of treasure. I've got great ideas for large jewellery designs completely covered in precious stones, and I'd love to be able to make these a reality.

IF YOU WEREN'T DOING THIS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Probably a sculptor – its still design but on a much bigger scale!

www.mingdesign.com

Tel: 07956593111