By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Chupi Sweetman, founder and CEO of Chupi Jewellery
Chupi Sweetman is founder of eponymous jewellery design business, Chupi, which she established in 2013 from her kitchen table. Her flagship store is in Dublin’s Powerscourt Townhouse, but the Chupi brand sells globally and right around the country.
What was your first job?
I have always been self employed. I started out aged 16 with a fashion label that led to being scouted to design for one of the biggest brands on the high street.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Building a business with such an exceptional team. 2020 brought so many challenges to every company, but at every turn my team at Chupi fought and won, then asked, ‘what next?’
In three words or less, how do you define success?
However you measure it. I’m cheating with four words, but how we measure success is deeply personal. Mine might be: global, a large team and adored product, but for you it might be local, small and niche.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Time is your most precious asset. There are so many opportunities, so many things to do, focus on what matters and spend your time wisely.
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
I have always thought globally. I don’t want Chupi to simply be the best luxury brand in Ireland – I want the world. Knowing that you want to climb Everest means you get out and train every day. My team feel the same, we want to be the very best.
How do you relax?
I was brought up near Glendalough in the Wicklow mountains, I love nothing more than a walk in the hills.
What’s your motto?
I always think of George Bernard Shaw’s words: Life is no “brief candle” for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
We have achieved so much, but I still have huge plans for the next stage of the business. Chupi will be an international luxury brand, built on world class technology run by an exceptional team and a leader in sustainable business.
