My Career: ‘I love the freedom and creativity that comes with running my own business’

Name: Aoibheann O’Donovan

Age: 31

Lives: Cork city

Job title: Owner and founder of Wildling Permanent Jewellery Ltd.

Salary bracket: **Licks finger and holds it to the wind** around €50,000 (as a new-ish business owner this is pure ‘guesstimation’)

Education background: Buckle up… I took the scenic route to where I am now.

I went to secondary school in Mount Mercy College Cork, then began my third level studies at UCC, completing one year of Commerce with French before switching to, and completing, a BSc in Nutritional Sciences. I then earned an MSc in Dietetics from King’s College, London.

After working in healthcare for a short time, I uprooted to America and transitioned into the tech world, eventually becoming an IT Analyst with Kerry Group, and progressed to Quality Assurance Lead at a US-based health tech company. While I valued the experience, I quickly realised that long hours at a laptop and remote work life wasn’t for me.

So, I pivoted. I followed my instincts, creativity, and love of connecting with people and founded a jewellery welding business, Wildling Permanent Jewellery.

I now specialise in creating clasp-free, custom-fitted jewellery that’s welded on in person - pieces designed to mark milestones, memories, and connections. People come in twos and threes, to get something together - like a tattoo, without the commitment (or pain).

Hobbies: Travel, hiking, running, surfing, camping, skiing, jewellery design and craft making. What I love most is discovering new cities through hikes, running, breweries and food, coffee (does coffee count as a hobby because it is for me!!). We have a camper van so I guess a lot of this is done via the freedom of the van - ‘Big Rick’.

Describe your job in five words: Creative, fulfilling, empowering, heartfelt and heart-led.

Describe yourself in five words: People struggle with this but I don’t anymore, I even have it down to two: Creative chaos. But seriously, I guess there is some overlap in this and the previous question considering my work is such a reflection of who I am: Creative, driven, energetic, bold, but compassionate.

Personality needed for this kind of work?

Risk-taker, for sure. Saying yes to everything, I live by a few mantras that keep me going; ‘You either win or you learn’, ‘If not now, then when?’ ‘Do the things that bring me joy’. I am persistent, adaptable and forward-thinking.

But I’m definitely all about embracing the beauty of organised chaos, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (cough, my husband) but I thrive on spontaneity and winging it, who knows what magic you’ll accidentally stumble into when you follow the moment instead of a plan.

How long are you doing this job?

I chuckle every time I see the word ‘job’ because it feels so right! I would really love to inspire others to do the same. We don’t want to work until we are 65+ and only then start living, when we only get one life! Anyway, just over two years now.

How did you get this job?

My work was born out of my experiences travelling and living overseas for seven years before moving home to Cork last September, with my Cork husband, Dylan. Getting to where I am and what I do today, first a dietitian, then a software developer, now a jewellery maker come business owner - you could say I didn’t take the straight path — more like the long, winded, scenic one… with snacks.

While my IT work gave me amazing flexibility to travel and see the world - when it came down to the work, I hated the lack of creativity and human connection. I was definitely not unhappy, but just had this persistent, gnawing feeling in my gut that I wasn’t being myself.

Having explored nearly half of the 52 US states and spending a few months living in Nicaragua, Mexico, and New Zealand, I met people from literally all walks of life. I came to learn that every person, every country, every culture values family, friends, and celebrating special occasions.

I realised how important it is for people to remember and mark meaningful moments and events. Whether it’s through tattoos, concert merch’ or something as simple as a fridge magnet, we all love memorabilia in some form.

For me, it’s always been jewellery. I had gotten my own first permanently welded bracelet with my best friend Jennifer in America, when she and her husband, Sam, were moving to a different state in the US. They were literally our family over there. The four of us did everything together. So for them to be moving, it was devastating. But it was so lovely we both had this little connection and reminder of each other on our wrists - and still do today!

That’s how I mark milestones in my own life – and now, I get to help others do the same. Wilding Permanent Jewellery marks those memories using bespoke jewellery - a physical memory link with a loved one, or marking a life milestone just for yourself.

I enrolled in a welding course and ordered a welder (cue Dylan’s eyes rolling at another random purchase). I instantly loved the process, I started practising and testing.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

Not particularly, I did a three-day welding course in America, which was followed by a lot of online theory, as well as a safety course, but it is mainly just learning from experience, putting hours in to perfecting the skill every day for months, and making it become second nature.

Describe a day at work: My days tend to fall into two extremes, the lively chaos of weekend events and the peaceful rhythm of home studio days.

Weekdays in the home studio start peacefully and quietly. My husband works from home too, so we always try to get out for a walk around 7am along the gorgeous new Marina Promenade. When I get home, I switch on my salt lamp, light a few candles, play slow music. I settle into my dark purple, moody studio, a space I spent months designing to feel calm, cosy, and welcoming.

Once I’m settled in, I tackle a few admin tasks (the less glamorous side — expenses and emails, sorry accountants!). I also plan upcoming events, design new pieces, and create content for social media.

Some days are quiet, and the mind starts to wander; other days, I have back-to-back appointments, each one full of stories, laughter, and connection. I always allow plenty of time for each client…

Health and wellness have always been a huge part of my life, so I carve out time for a gym class or a run, either between appointments or after the day winds down.

I’m also studying for my Level 4 PT Fitness qualification, so I spend parts of the afternoon working on coursework or assignments (usually with another coffee in hand).

Now, the other side.

Weekends are go time. While most people are easing into brunch, I’m usually up before sunrise packing what feels like an entire studio into the camper van - welder, tables, chairs, fairy lights, snacks (very important).

Armed with coffee and blind optimism, I hit the road - sometimes two hours away, to set up at a wedding morning or bustling market. By the time I’m unpacked, the caffeine has kicked in and the chaos feels… kind of fun.

Once I’m set up, it’s non-stop: about 18 bracelets, 18 lovely chats. Each person has a story.

When do you plan to retire or give up working?

Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever fully ‘retire’. I’m one of those people who always needs a project on the go, something creative, something to build, something that keeps the brain ticking. I love what I do too much to ever imagine walking away from it completely.

That said, I see my work evolving over time. I’ve got a few new ideas bubbling away, something that brings together my background in software QA, fitness and wellness, nutrition, and starting a business. It’s still early days, but it’s exciting to see how all the different chapters of my career are beginning to connect and take shape into something new.

Best bits:

The freedom and creativity that come with running my own business. I get to design my days, meet amazing people, and bring something meaningful to life, whether it’s welding a bracelet, chatting with a client, or setting up at a new event. I also love the sense of pride that comes from knowing every little part of Wildling has been built from scratch by me.

Worst bits:

The financial ups and downs can definitely be stressful, going from a stable monthly salary to the unpredictable flow of self-employment isn’t easy.

And then there’s the never switching off part… my brain loves to wake me up at 2am with new ideas or to-do lists. It’s both a blessing and a curse!

Ironically, some of my best Wildling ideas have come during those sleepless nights, so I’ve learned to embrace it… mostly.

Advice to those who want your job?

The jewellery welding is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes. Don’t underestimate the time, energy, and commitment it takes to run a small business.

You really have to love it, all of it: the creative side, the admin, the long days, and the uncertainty.

And honestly, don’t wait until you’re retired or “have more time” to do something you love. Start now, while you have the energy and curiosity to pour into it.

Life’s too short to put your passions on hold.

• See wildlingpermanentjewellery.com