My story begins ater my birth in the Carpathian Alps of Hungary during World War II. I was hidden as an infant as the Holocaust swept Europe. At the end of the war, I was taken to Canada where I was raised, married and had six children, and in 1971 entered the jewelry business. My determination to forge a new career was uncommon at the time, and I was shunned by local businessmen as I attempted to learn about the industry. With a strong interest in the pearl market, I took matters into my own hands and went directly to the source.

Armed only with a guide from the Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association, I traveled to Japan and immersed myself in learning about pearls and visiting wholesalers in an attempt to forge relationships. Later, I expanded my expertise in the pearl industry by studying at the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Since then, clients from around the world have commissioned me to design and craft unique pieces of jewelry. My jewelry design skills have also been tapped by Mattel to create a line of jewelry for the toy maker’s legendary Barbie collection, which received the prestigious Innovation Award for design.

In 1999, my family launched Ice.com, which has become a leading jeweler on the web committed to providing customers with the best value, quality, service and selection to consumers who enjoy jewelry as both a fashion essential and a fun part of their everyday lives. I couldn’t be more content to know that my vision has thrived into a flourishing business and will be a legacy for my family. Each one of my children plays a pivotal role in the running of Ice.com and my 42 grandchildren (and counting!) know that if they choose, they can work for our homegrown business.

As they wheeled me to my room, no one we passed would make eye contact with me. The doctor had told me he thought that after all the surgeries, I might feel comfortable in public. Might.

When I got to my room, I asked for pen and paper since I couldn’t speak. And instead of writing, “Please tell me this isn’t happening,” which is what I wanted to scream out, I made a list of 100 reasons why the dog biting me was a good thing.

That was my VIV Moment. In that instant, I realized I could be a victim of the dog, of other people’s cruelty, of my own fear and vanity, or I could choose to instead figure out why everything in life is a blessing, no matter how brutal the lesson. I don’t know where that list is now, but I know what #101 would be — Kyle. The best friend who came to my rescue not only stuck around through a year of eight surgeries — he married me!