We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Franco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In 2018 I was working in finance, and had spent the past five years advancing in the field. With each year that past my work/life balance began to dwindle more and more. I’d be away from my child for 12 hours of the day Monday-Friday, and squeeze in as much as I could over the weekends. Eventually I became pregnant with my second child. At the time I decided that I wanted to focus on being a more present mother. I wanted to enjoy both of my sons and spend as much time with them as I could. So I resigned, seriously cut back on all of the little luxuries, put a pause on traveling, and adjusted life in a way that would allow me to sustain on my savings and my partners income.
It was a nerve wrecking adjustment, but I had a plan. During my pregnancy I completed my YTT certification and became a yoga teacher, finding it ideal to teach a few classes a week for extra income. Once our son was about 7 months, I felt I could do a little more with my time and started Black Amethyst (I waited tables for start up money).
I started by curating & selling crystals and home decor; eventually I became a Metalsmith and now incorporate crystals and gems into my jewelry pieces.
During the start of the pandemic I was let go from my yoga studio and thats how my second business Ahimsa House came about. My Partner Rée and I teach community, virtual, and private yoga and meditation.
Now I take my sons with me to events, and to my Crystal Shop often. We spend lots of time together and they have had the opportunity to watch as I pivot careers and create something of nothing.
Honestly spending more time with my kids is what drove me, but my actual thought process was, If anyone can do this, its me!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Currently I am most proud of my Jewlery. I have made a million different crafts and home decor items with crystals and gems, but making pieces that people wear everyday is really whats brought me joy. Pieces hardly come out exactly as planned, and it’s great, because somewhere in the midst of the creative process I decide to take a turn. I’m most excited to refine my craft and become a well known, in demand Metalsmith.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Of course I’d have to make a stop at the Pemberton where my shop is located. The Churchill is also a staple in my life, maybe start with morning yoga and stay for brunch. Downtown farmers market on Saturday for sure. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at The Coronado. Drinks at Valley Bar and the many rooftop bars downtown. Walking Roosevelt Row for all the art, drinks, shops, and food! Melrose district for all of the vintage shopping & Fun. Hiking for sure and maybe even a day trip up north if we could swing it. I love phoenix and the fact that nature isn’t too far in pretty much every direction.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a fist full of mentors and co creatives that I could shout out, I truly hope you all know who you are. But the biggest shout out goes to my partner. Having someone in your corner to cheer you on, feed you, and keep a roof over your head, while you focus on working your ass off to create something; has been the biggest gift of them all.
Could I have done this on my own? Yes. Would it have been 10x’s harder and taken twice as long? YES.

Website: black-amethyst.com

Instagram: @bl_ckamethyst @ahimsahouse

Facebook: @blackamethystrocks @ahimsahousephx

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/uscvpp5HS3ccCryMg91e7oGg

Other: Black Amethyst Physical Shop Location 1121 Nth 2nd St Phoenix, AZ 85004 Inside the clubhouse Find the schedule for Yoga & Meditation offerings on our instagram

Image Credits
Yoga Images taken by Desiree Paige

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