Gold with Meaning
Guya Merkle, entrepreneur, jewelry designer and committed environmental activist about setbacks, new beginnings and the search for meaning and sustainability in the jewelry industry.
After the unexpected death of her father, Guya was faced with the huge challenge of taking over her family's jewelry business - and she did so without any prior knowledge.
The unprepared takeover quickly led to financial difficulties and ultimately to the company's insolvency. A second attempt to revive the company also failed.
With the remaining financial means, Guya set out on journeys that took her to the origins of jewelry: to the gold mines. Here she saw the harsh reality and human suffering behind gold mining. These experiences represented a turning point in her life. Guya decided not only to continue the jewelry business, but also to actively campaign for fair production conditions and environmental protection.
With her own successful jewelry label VIERI and the label LOVY EIGHT, which she founded together with Alina Merkau, she now produces jewelry from fairly mined and traded gold.
In this exciting episode, she also talks about how she and her Earthbeat Foundation are fighting against systemic problems in the jewelry industry and raising awareness of the importance of sustainable production.
Watch: YouTube
Listen: Spotify