At this year’s Complex New York Fashion Week event, the spotlight wasn’t just on bold looks and high-profile collaborations; it was also on building wealth and financial freedom.
Celebrity jeweler Greg Yuna, known for crafting diamond-encrusted pieces for A-list clients from Drake to Floyd Mayweather, joined Complex Editor-in-Chief Aria Hughes and Grammy Award-winning artist Joey Bada$$ for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, money management, and the realities of success.
Before hitting the stage, Yuna opened up to The Quintessential Gentleman about his own journey and the lessons he hopes young creatives take away from his story.
Leaving the Diamond District
For Yuna, the biggest financial decision of his career came down to one thing: betting on himself.
“I would say leaving and going on my own,” he explained. “Leaving the diamond district and going into Soho. You know 99% of the jewelry you’re buying is in the diamond district. So I left and opened up a store in Soho; now I’m competing with the Tiffany’s and the David Yurman’s of the world.”
That decision wasn’t without risk. The Diamond District in Midtown Manhattan is the epicenter of the jewelry world. For a young jeweler, leaving that safety net was a bold move. But Yuna knew that in order to create his own lane, he had to step outside of tradition and into an environment that matched his vision.
“It was fear all the time,” he admitted. “But giving up was never an option for me.”
That courage has since transformed him from an up-and-coming jeweler in Queens into a businessman with a global reputation, building a brand that thrives at the intersection of luxury, culture, and entrepreneurship.
The Misconceptions of Entrepreneurship
When asked what people often get wrong about entrepreneurship, especially in a world where everyone wants to be their own boss, Yuna didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Everybody is their own boss, no matter who you work for. Once you understand that, I feel like you get a little more liberated,” he shared. “The grind doesn’t stop. It’s lonely…the business part is lonely.”
Yuna knows that success is not just about the spotlight, it’s about the countless late nights, the sacrifices, and the isolation that often comes with chasing a dream. He wants aspiring entrepreneurs to know that the glamorous exterior is only half the story. The other half is resilience.
Defining Financial Freedom
For Yuna, financial empowerment is about choice, growth, and removing limitations.
“Financial freedom for me is being able to, at the drop of a dime, being able to fly wherever I want,” he shared. “And being able to have some extra money for your business… expand projects, make new pieces, try new things.”
To him, money isn’t just about status; it’s a tool for exploration, experimentation, and building something that lasts. That sense of freedom—both personal and creative—is what continues to drive him forward.
Lessons in Money and Discipline
Despite his reputation for luxury, Yuna was quick to emphasize the importance of balance and preparation.
“Save money for a rainy day, man,” he said simply. “Some people say three months of rent, some people don’t even have that… But definitely have some kind of bread for a rainy day.”
Even for someone immersed in the world of diamonds and fine jewelry, he acknowledged that financial discipline is key.
“Me, myself, I like to buy things all the time. I’m impulsive. But sometimes you just have to say no. As hard as it is, you have to say no. It’s discipline.”
With his honesty about the temptations of spending, Yuna shows that financial literacy isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and learning when to say no.
Passing the Torch
For Yuna, sharing this wisdom is personal. As a Queens-born creative who carved out his own lane in one of the toughest industries, he knows the challenges young entrepreneurs face, especially Black and Brown creators who often start with less access to resources.
His advice was direct: “Start small. Be focused. And there is no end boss. It doesn’t stop.”
Beyond the Jewelry
What made Yuna’s presence so impactful at the event was the mix of glamour and grounded advice. Yes, he designs for some of the biggest names in the world, but he also speaks openly about financial mistakes, discipline, and the grind behind the glitter.
