Age: 21
Graduation year: 2012
Major: Information Technology
What’s the company you started and how did you get the idea for it?
I started HardWear [a jewelry company] with my sister, Allie, in June of 2011. It started as a do-it-yourself project because my sister and I wanted to have unique, custom jewelry. The two of us are always looking to turn household items into accessories, so when we saw my dad was using hex nuts we thought they’d be cool to put on bracelets. We started getting compliments from people, so we decided to turn it into a business and make a profit doing something we love.
How has being a business major helped you with your business?
I think it’s important to keep up with current business news because it’s helped me to be an informed business owner. My IT [Information Technology] major has helped me a great deal with creating the website. For the most part I use HardWear as my creative outlet. My sister graduated from Hofstra in 2008 and is an accountant now, so this is how the both of us exercise our creativity and get a chance to do something totally different from our usual work.
Why did you choose jewelry as a way to be creative?
I use jewelry as a way to express myself. I have a pretty big collection of jewelry and I always choose pieces to fit my different moods. I hope people can use HardWear in the same way.
How have you made your bracelets so popular?
It’s mostly by word of mouth. I can’t count the amount of people, especially on campus, who have asked me where I got my bracelet, which is the greatest compliment. HardWear has been the subject of a few school projects, like my friend made a brochure about the company for her PR class, and that also got the word out. I’m obviously also using all of the social networks available to me like Facebook and Twitter. Anthony Robles, a NCAA winning wrestler, and his family wore HardWear to the ESPY awards because his stylist saw our stuff on Facebook and loved it.
Do you make all of the merchandise on your own?
We currently have custom, handmade products, but we are starting to have the bracelets manufactured. My sister works full time and I am a full time student, so we couldn’t meet the increasing demands. Custom pieces are still available upon request, and my sister and I are happy to work on a unique piece for anybody who wants one.
What products do you offer?
We have two styles of the bracelet – a single band with hex nuts and a triple wrap with one row of hex nuts. We have men’s bracelets, ankle bracelets and necklaces, but we’re looking into making earrings and headbands. Our main goal is to have a full line of accessories one day.
How has it been starting a company as a young entrepreneur in a troubled economy?
I haven’t felt the impact of the recession with HardWear because since we’re a niche costume jewelry line, the demand is still there. Consumers are discouraged from buying real jewelry due to the price of gold and silver, and I’d say our affordable prices have helped the business grow. It definitely doesn’t hurt that my sister and I are the same age as our target market, so we have a good idea of what’s going to do well and what’s not.
Where can people buy your jewelry?
Customers can place orders on our site, www.HardWearCollection.com, but I’ve gotten Facebook messages, tweets and texts with orders from people. We like to make our product really available for purchase and we’re looking to expand to local boutiques.