Meet Heidi Kalafut, Owner of Heidi Marie Private Jeweler + Designer (heidimarieprivatejeweler.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – I love working with both new and repeat clients, and getting to know the personal stories behind each piece they want to create is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Whether it’s designing a new engagement ring or redesigning a cherished heirloom from grandma, I find equal joy in bringing my clients’ visions to life. My favorite part of the process is the delivery—seeing them open the box for the first time, watching their smile and sometimes even sharing joyful tears. Those moments are why I love what I do and why creating meaningful, lasting pieces never gets old.
How did you get started in the business? – My first job in the jewelry industry was during college at Hands Jewelers in downtown Iowa City, IA, while I attended the University of Iowa. I started as a gift wrapper, creating their iconic three-tiered bows with a rose on top—look it up, it’s legendary! Over time, I worked my way up from gift wrapper to sales associate, then assistant manager and even a (mini) designer. It was an incredible experience where I learned the foundations of the jewelry business and customer service. I’m forever grateful for the wonderful mentors I had there, many of whom I still stay in touch with today. That experience laid the groundwork for everything I do now.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – How to “wear” all the other hats in business that don’t pertain to jewelry and get them done when they are not always my strong suit.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Trusting in myself to take the jewelry business from part-time to full time while leaving behind a steady paycheck.
Tell us a little about your family. – I grew up in South Dakota and my husband, Kalvin, is from Michigan. We have two children together, Ava (8) and Henry (4). We moved to Bennington in 2018 from Davenport, IA. We have moved a few times over the years, but Bennington has become home to us now.
Who inspires you? – Leslie Fischer has been a monumental inspiration to me since making the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. As the founder of MARC, a local Omaha networking group, she has built an incredible community rooted in transparency, trust and mutual support among entrepreneurs and nonprofits. Thanks to her vision, members are eager to share advice and resources, fostering a sense of collaboration that I haven’t seen in any other networking groups I’ve been apart of. Her leadership and values she has instilled in MARC have profoundly shaped my journey and given me the tools and confidence to grow.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Genuine.
What is your favorite local Omaha restaurant? – Rooted TableLiterally everything I’ve had there is amazing!
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (563) 505-3709 | heidi@heidimarieprivatejeweler.com | heidimarieprivatejeweler.com