She is responsible for making sure you are adorned with beautiful jewels and trinkets. Her name is Karen Buder, designer and creator of sugarlime jewelry and she is our industry insider this week.

How do you get paid? (What do you do for a living?): I am the designer behind sugarlime and I also manage the PR. In addition to our online store and selling to retailers, we’re known for our exclusive free jewelry shows (with a guest list of almost 5,000 women in Vancouver, Toronto & Calgary). We have an office downtown Vancouver where all of the designs are manufactured and we have a staff of 3 amazing, talented ladies.

How did you get into what you are doing now?: Living abroad in Tokyo and traveling throughout Asia inspired us to start up our own business. It was also important to incorporate traveling into our business venture - and, I used to spend so much money on fashion jewelry, it was time to do something about it!

What are your favourite current items in your closet?: My cropped Citizens, slouchy tan suede boots from Holts and Vanessa Bruno’s double-layer blouse in buttermilk.

What was your last read?: Entrepreneur Magazine.

Your most precious item(s)?: My family including our two dogs.

What did you want to be when you were little?: A flight attendant, elementary school teacher, or a veterinarian.

What hot item are you looking forward to this SS 2009?: Lanvin’s banana python flats, and Vanessa Bruno’s sold out chain-embellished top. More cropped jeans too!

One lesson you have learned and will never forget?: There’s so much more to running your own business than what one could ever expect.

Sunny Shum, Your Industry Insider