Ten Minutes with Rachel Abroms of Rachel Abroms Studio

Not surprising for a former casting director, jewelry designer Rachel Abroms has an eye for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Whether it’s a leather cuff bolstered with a bevy of bird charms or a simple pendant starring a beautifully-worked antique coin, jewelry from Rachel Abroms Studio strikes just the right note no matter the occasion. The versatile line of cuffs, necklaces, earrings, and rings will make you stand out—in the very best of ways— at cocktails, a christening, or even while charming double-sided copies from that temperamental copy machine outside  your office. Don’t want to take my word for it? Then check out recent issues of InStyle, Lucky, and Marie Claire. Or just keep reading to find out how Rachel got in the business of getting you ready for your close-up.

Oligoville: In five words or less, Rachel Broms Studio is. . .

Rachel: Unique, concept-driven, playful, innovative, gotta-have-it

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

Rachel: My ideal customers are women who want to add some sparkle and fun into their lives and whose outer beauty reflects their inner beauty. She is fashion forward and likes to express herself via jewelry and accessories

Oligoville: How’d you end up as a designer?

Rachel: I started out as a casting director for movies in Hollywood, but went back to school to become a therapist. While I was training, I fell in love with jewelry making and got so much encouragement to sell a jewelry line that I did exactly that. It has been great fun and rewarding (an,d of course, a lot of hard work, too).

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

Rachel: I launched my jewelry line in 2000. First I sold to friends and acquaintances, but then stores started buying from me right away. I was very lucky and had great timing. And, not to blow my own horn too much, my designs were/are unique and went very well with then-current trends (and continue to do so). I also got some great celebrity clients, which helped push my brand forward.

Oligoville: What fashion trend do you hope we’ve seen the last of in 2010?

Rachel: Butt crack jewelry—I really hope that goes away. I would also like to see the end of these women (particularly young women) who get massive amounts of plastic surgery, – it’s so sad to me that women feel the need to totally alter their appearance to such a huge degree. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not against a little tweak here and there, but these total body and face alterations are so extreme and feel sad. I wish they felt more self worth and self love.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Rachel: I love the idea of recycling jewelry, that the materials or pieces of the designs can go on and on for many “lives”.  I’m also so inspired by vintage pieces, by their shapes, stones, and materials. I also get very inspired by the colors and textures of the stones I use; the designs can grow out of the shapes, sizes, and hues. I am so inspired by the ways people and their personalities can be enhanced by the jewelry they wear. I love to see how people decorate themselves!

Oligoville: What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Rachel: Oh god, completely crazy! I am always working and coming up with new designs and ideas, not only for jewelry, but for all kinds of accessories, including handbags, makeup bags, belts, and more.  I have been a little bit of a workaholic in the past, but I am really working hard on adding balance to my life. I always take the time every day to exercise, eat good, healthy meals—and actually get away from my desk while doing so—and, most important, I am making much more time to have fun with my friends and family.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Rachel: I like to wear dresses over pants. I’m lucky—I’m tall, and it’s a good look for me. I love my jean jacket—it’s trimmed with faux fur and makes me feel glamorous (I always have some pins or other ornaments attached). And, of course, I am always wearing a lot of jewelry. My height helps me to be able to wear long chains with big stones and other big pieces, and it all looks great!

Oligoville: What’s in your bag (or backpack or satchel) right now?

Rachel: I always carry one of my own line of handbags. In it I carry one of my own makeup bags, a wallet (with about 40 bucks, I need to hit the cash machine), reading glasses, dark chocolate-covered Altoids, phone.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned.

Racehl: One of the biggest mistakes I made when launching my business is that, because I didn’t have any kind of business plan, I wasn’t paying myself a salary and didn’t have a bookkeeper. I thought I could do it all. It caused a lot of problems later, when figuring out cost of goods, getting my business basics in place, figuring out my company’s financial structure, etc. This is all super-important in an inventory-based business like mine.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Rachel: I was nominated for a design award from Fashion Group International, which was a nice recognition of what I’m doing. And, of course, any time I’m out someplace and see someone wearing a piece of my jewelry—that’s amazing.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Rachel: I would like to own a bricks-and-mortar Rachel Abroms store. I would also like to be selling to more than 1000 stores nationwide.

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Rachel: My advice is to get your ducks in a row right from the very beginning! Make sure you have a business plan (or at least an outline) so that you get all the important building blocks in place.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Rachel: I listen to a lot of jazz, world music, old Motown. I love the Beatles, and I listen to lots of classical. I have really eclectic tastes in music and listen to all kinds of different stuff depending on my mood or what I’m doing.

Oligoville: Any last words?

Rachel: Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Wear lots of jewelry, accessories and decorate yourself!!!