Laid (Lei-d?) Back Jewelry Designers
John and Penny Novak mix business with pleasure in The Bahamas

Imagine yourself on a tropical island, where transparent blue-green waters lap against smooth white beaches. After a languorous cup of coffee on your deck, you mosey down to the beach to soak up the sun and collect sea glass. One day, inspired by the brilliant baubles that you've poured into jars and bottles, you decide to make a few pieces of jewelry, and you realize you have just found yourself a new business -- even though you're retired.

This is no fantasy. This is life six months out of the year for John (pictured) and Penny Novak, Cleveland-area residents who a few years ago decided to make their vacation spot on Long Island, The Bahamas, their winter home. Experienced entrepreneurs, they have solved the age-old question of how to mix business with pleasure.

Tropical Gems by JW is a laid-back business, much like the atmosphere in the Novaks' area of The Bahamas. “Here on Long Island, we rarely see anyone on our white sandy beaches,” Penny says. “We are spoiled and get huffy if we see footprints in the sand, meaning someone was there ahead of us.”

The quiet, unhurried pace is a far cry from John and Penny’s days as owners of Incredible Inflatables, a balloon delivery and decorating service in Parma and Elyria.

“We started the business out of our home in 1984 as clowns going to children’s birthday parties,” Penny recalls. “The business developed into wholesale and retail [divisions] shipping balloons all over the East Coast, with two locations, 14 employees, four delivery vans and four subcontractors.”

The Novaks were pleased with the “rise” of Incredible Inflatables, but, says Penny, “If you own a business and it is successful--especially if you built it with no money--it is your life. We lived it, breathed it and slept with it.”

In 2000, the Novaks retired, built a house in The Bahamas in 2000, and the tempo of their lives dramatically changed. Instead of rushing to work in the morning, they take a four-mile walk along the tranquil shores of Long Island. It was on one of those leisurely walks that they began to collect vibrant orange, green and blue sea glass imbedded in the sand.

Curiosity turned into obsession as the Novaks combed various areas of the beach for colorful gems. John began to make jewelry for family and friends by attaching the sea glass to wire, interest grew, and before long the Novaks again found themselves running their own business.

This time, though, it’s a lot different. The Novaks can’t earn money in The Bahamas unless they obtain a permit, which is very expensive. “We do wear our pendants out and, if asked about them, we invite people to come to our home,” Penny says.

Back in Ohio during the spring and summer months, the Novaks rely on word of mouth to sell their sea glass and jewelry. The response has been very positive. “I did one show this past summer and will do more next year,” Penny says. They recently launched a website, http://www.tropicalgemsbyjw.com, and are consulting with local shops that will sell the jewelry.

As they gradually grow their business, John and Penny remain committed to the “retired” life they now enjoy. They might live, breathe and sleep with this business, just like the last, but they do so in unhurried, Bahamian fashion.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Diane DiPiero ohiodianeATnetzero.net
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