Success strategies for couples who work
From meeting on Tinder in 2018 to running a £50 million business together, Abbott Lyon founders Jezz and Asha Skelton have built a successful jewellery brand and navigated the challenges of working together as a couple. Skelton, who has made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, founded the online jewellery brand in 2015 after exiting his first business—Mango Bikes, which he started while at university. Skelton bootstrapped the jewellery business, rapidly growing it into a GBP 50 million venture selling customisable accessories predominantly to the UK, US and Germany. In April 2024, the couple also leveraged Love Island's Molly Smith to help launch a payday sale on their jewellery website. The entrepreneurs share their recipe for success with HR Magazine to manage and grow their business, while also prioritising their family.
Focus on individual strengths
As Abbott Lyon continues to grow, Jezz and Asha have learned the importance of dividing responsibilities based on their individual strengths. Asha noted, “Jezz handles the big-picture vision, product development, and branding, while I focus on social media and influencer partnerships. It works well because we each bring different strengths to the table.” Jezz added, “I’m more brand-focused and creative, while Asha brings a practical, customer-first approach. This balance is key to staying connected to what our customers truly want.”
Keep goals in mind
Speaking with the couple, we asked how they envision the company evolving over the next few years and found that they are determined to maintain a family-owned feel to the business, no matter how much they grow. Asha said, “For me, it’s about ensuring that every piece of jewellery we create stays connected to the customer’s story, whatever their life stage.” Jezz concurred, “We want to keep innovating and pushing the boundaries of personalisation, but at the same time, we’ll always stay grounded in who we are—a family business that truly cares about our customers and their meaningful moments.”
Prioritise family time
With a two-year-old daughter, Jezz and Asha know how essential it is to set boundaries between work and family life. Asha emphasised, “It’s all about setting boundaries—work is important, but so is making time for each other and our daughter.” Previously working late evenings and weekends, the couple now makes it a priority to stop work at the weekends and focus on spending quality time as a family.
Find Inspiration in personal life
Abbott Lyon started as a fashion watch brand, but as trends evolved, so did they. The birth of their daughter inspired new product lines, such as thumbprint necklaces, demonstrating how these important personal experiences as a family can drive business innovation.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
