Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Petrow and Debbie Falduto.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lauren and Debbie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Rose Marie Jewelry started in December 2015. My sister, Melanie, learned to make jewelry and my mom and I both learned and decided this was something we wanted to do. We had such joy designing it. The name came from my middle name and my sisters.
In the beginning of the business, we started out slowly but fierce. We went to many different markets around the Chicagoland area and figured out our crowd and esthetic. I then began, changing the vibe of our jewelry to more of a clean, modern gemstone and crystal look. It looks completely different than it did when we first started out. It is amazing to see how much we have grown in such a short amount of time.
When I started learning about gemstones and crystals, Rose Marie flourished. My mom and I started traveling to Tucson, Arizona to actually source our stones, touch, and hand pick each and everything you see that are designed with our brand. Knowing that we are designing with minerals that we believe in, know that are raw and pulled correctly from the ground/mines and having personal contacts with our mineral suppliers, we cannot have enough gratitude.
We are now held in a dozen boutiques across Illinois and a few states, and growing by the day. We are now going to our first large trade show in August to speak with hundreds of boutique and store owners, to share RMJ with. I am so excited to share a business with my mom. It has been pure joy to start running a business with her.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it hasn’t. A struggle that we had was finding gemstones/crystals that were not fake, stained, broken, etc. When we first started out, we ordered from a few suppliers online, and our purchase was lost money because all of the things were junk. That is when we started to travel for our materials because we knew that is the only way we could truly make it.
Also, with findings and chain. We first held brass and a few other types of chain. In the long run, we decided it was best to have one type of chain that is sustainable. We now use gold filled chain that does not tarnish and is the best hypo-allergenic metal. We want to use the best for our customers and business wise.
Lastly, we had doubt. Some of our family members doubted us, friends, and peers. No one thought that what we were doing was something that we could have a career in and grow. Nothing was in our way and we progressed through all the doubt and criticism. Someone’s dreams should never be doubted, and if they are, you have to stay positive and get through it. You will prove everyone wrong someday and it will shine through.
Rose Marie Jewelry – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Rose Marie Jewelry designs modern gemstone and crystal jewelry by a mother daughter team. The full line of jewelry includes handpicked gemstones and crystals from all over the world at top grade quality and affordable prices.
We are known for having quality stones and metals designed into our jewelry. We specialize in knowing mineral properties that raise your vibrations and make everyone feel their best. We also cater to people making custom orders and having great relationships with everyone we meet.
What sets us apart from others is we stand by our products by using what is the best quality. RMJ is reliable and committed to our customers. We keep up on current trends and also are a duo that design cohesively for two different types of age groups, yet fits RMJ at its best.
Lauren: I am proud of growing as a successful company and having repeat customers. It gives me such joy to know that we are making an impact in someone’s style and that they love our designs as much as we do. I am proud that we are a female ran business. I am proud that we have never given up, even at the hardest times, we have pulled through, been optimistic, and are now expanding into an amazing business.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success as being happy and financially stable. If you are happy and are excited to start each and every day, there is nothing better than that. As well as, being financially stable. Being able to pay off high thousands of dollars of student loans, and being able to support a family off of a business that you created, is pure success in my book.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rosemariejewelry.net
- Email: shoprmj@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rosemariejewelry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosemariejewelry
Image Credit:
Melanie Petrow and Ryan Nolan
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