Meet Jon Dadon of Chain + Link

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Dadon.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jon. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I’ve been a DJ, party thrower, apparel manufacturer, and now I’m a jewelry designer. I don’t sit still for very long, I can tell you that much.

Chain + Link is a brand I created to give the jewelry I make a name. I’ve always loved wearing bracelets, rings, and necklaces, and when I started making them for myself, I was constantly getting asked where whatever I was wearing was from.

The interactions went like this: “Where did you get that bracelet?” – “I made it.” – “Can you make me one?” When that happens enough times, you start thinking maybe you’re on to something. Once you put a name to it, it becomes a brand… and from there you get Chain + Link. I even remember where I was when I gave it a name. It was at a car wash on La Brea.

Of course, when you first start, you’re only making what’s in your immediate skillset, but I wanted to make bigger and better things. YouTube and some 3D modeling software became my best friends. I went from buying components online and assembling my jewelry, to designing my jewelry in 3-dimensions on my computer, 3D printing models, and casting rings, cuffs and pendants.

Things can move fast when you set your mind to something and can visualize the path you need to take to get there. Coming from a background in apparel manufacturing, I found the same principles applied for manufacturing jewelry.

My DJ + party throwing experience helped me know how to get the word out about what I was doing. I found myself a good team of experts to work with, and they helped me bring my designs to life. As it happens, some of the turns you take in life, find their way back in paving your next step.

Has it been a smooth road?
The smoother the road, the less you are forced to learn. There’s this quote about how once you’ve spent 10,000 hours practicing something, you become an expert. I like to think that when you spend 10,000 hours doing something, you’ve been able to fail in every way possible, and that’s what makes you that expert. It’s in the failing that you learn the most.

I think the hardest struggle that exists for me, and I think this applies to everyone trying to grow a brand, is focusing on building my foundation. I often like to dream big, and that can cause me to lose sight of what’s immediately in front of me. No one gets to the top of the stairs by jumping to the top. We climb, one stair at a time.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Chain + Link specializes in making handmade jewelry, designed and manufactured here in Los Angeles.

Everything that I make I wear. I think that’s something important for a brand. It’s easy to see how you can start designing to fit the tastes and preferences of other people, but by only making what I’d wear, I am able to stand behind everything I make and sell it wholeheartedly. Having confidence in your product goes a long way.

I think what makes me most proud when I think about my company, is how I taught myself the skills I needed to launch this thing. I don’t really know any other jewelry designers, and I definitely didn’t know any that were willing to help me learn.

As I said earlier, I have spent and continue to spend a lot of hours on YouTube, learning everything I can. I think this will be a strong theme among creators and makers in my generation and the generations to come.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
In my opinion, Los Angeles is the place to be. As an apparel manufacturer and jewelry designer, I don’t think there exists a place on this planet more suitable.

We’ve got everything needed to run a successful brand here in LA. From the design and manufacturing stages to the boutiques and stores, to the clientele. It’s all here.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chainandlink.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/chainandlink
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/chainandlink

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