MJ: What is Little Words Project?
Adriana: Little Words Project goes beyond jewelry. We're really a community all about promoting kindness, self love and empowerment amongst people. We really started off with a female focus and it's definitely at the core of who we are - women empowering women. We've since expanded the brand to include as many people as possible, because we could all use a little more kindness and self love.
We started off as a bracelet company, and definitely still very much are so, all about paying it forward through the unique words on our bracelet. The idea is you pick a word that means something to you, you wear it for as long as you need it and then one day you pass the bracelet on to someone who needs it more than you do.
MJ: What was your first job and why?
Adriana: My first real job was probably working for my parents. My dad owns his own accounting business so I worked for him and my mom simultaneously just helping filing paperwork and answering phones. So my first boss literally and figuratively were my parents.
MJ: What were three things that you wish you did earlier in your business?
Adriana: 1) I wish I started our wholesale journey a little earlier - I started it three years in. I think going into retailers and getting your product in front of consumers in a space they trust is huge. And it's great networking. 2) I wish we stayed a little leaner a little longer team wise. I'm so grateful for the team we had in the beginning but growing pains are a real thing. 3) I wish I would have tried to raise money a little sooner. And it's not just about having an extra cushion in the bank, it's also having the expertise of people that do know a little bit more than you do in a lot of ways.
MJ: What is the hardest and easiest part of being the boss?
Adriana: I don't think there's anything easy about being a boss. Honestly, I think the hardest and easiest part for me is managing the people. We've grown to a team of almost 50 now and there's just so much that goes into managing a team that big - I just wish I had more time with people. But managing people is also beautiful because you get to connect with them and give incredible opportunities. The best part is having this group of women and men championing me and what my dream has been and essentially making it their own dream too.
MJ: What's been your biggest pinch me moment?
Adriana: Oh gosh, there have been a few. I think when I was written up in Forbes that was my first pinch me moment. That was so cool. And then I would say getting into Target was the next big moment. The idea of just being able to walk in a Target and find my product on the shelves is just so crazy to me.
MJ: What are your top tips for someone starting their own business?
Adriana: Believe in yourself first and foremost, because if you don't, no one else will. You just have to go for it, whatever it is, don't let the fear of it not working out keep you from starting. You also have to find a community of people that you can lean on because it can be very lonely if you do it alone. And don't be afraid to ask for help!
MJ: Is Little Words Project hiring? What do you look for in potential employees? What is your favorite interview question?
Adriana: Yes, we're always hiring! I look for passion. Does this person follow our values of kindness and inclusivity? Humility is big for me, are you willing to own a mistake if one is made? I don't need someone to be perfect, I just need you to be kind and humble and work hard. I always like to tailor my questions to the role we're interviewing for. For example, if we're hiring a graphic designer I ask, "What is is your favorite thing about graphic design work and what is your least favorite thing?". If they say their favorite thing is the act of sitting down and actually doing the designing, I know this is truly their passion and what they love.
MJ: What's next for Little Words Project?
Adriana: We are expanding into new markets with both our retail presence and our product assortment. We always ask ourselves, "What else can we give our customer to complete their look?" and "Where can we meet them in the world?". We are really trying to build that in person community experience where you can come to any of our cities and meet us in store.
]]>_____
Our first #femalefounded interview is with Dani Austin! Dani has been a long time friend of Electric Picks and that friendship lead to designing her collaboration which launched in September of 2022. She was named one of Forbes Top Creators of 2022 and is the founder and CEO of the fan favorite hair care line, Divi. Our founder, MJ, sat down with Dani to discuss all thing business and balancing a family.
_____
MJ: What was your first job?
Dani: I was a sales associate at a resale shop. I really wanted the freedom to be able to buy things for myself and this job allowed me to do so.
MJ: What are 3 things you wish you did earlier in your professional career?
Dani: If I had to do it again, I would probably do it all the same because the mistakes led me to where I am today. If I had to think of a few things I would probably outsource editing because it took up so much of my team and I would have hired a more qualified team from the get-go.
MJ: How do you balance work and home life being a mom?
Dani: I have some nonnegotiables with my family. Those non-negotiable may change from time to time depending on the season of life we are in which helps hold us accountable. Being in the job that I am, it’s hard to sometimes turn it off so I try my best to be strict with boundaries like staying off Instagram after 5 PM. Other small things I do everyday is always waking the kids up, putting them to bed and sitting down and having at least 10 minutes of family time during dinner.
MJ: How and why did you decide to take your customers on influencers trips instead of influencers?
Dani: I wanted to take the “real influencers” on a trip because they are the people who made Divi what it is. Divi wouldn’t be what it is without it’s customers, so I wanted to express my gratitude. I also thought it was a fun and different way to give back and treat our community.
MJ: What's your favorite thing about the Divi House?
Dani: Definitely the people inside of it (and the snacks LOL!)
MJ: What's the biggest mistake you've made so far? And what did you learn from it?
Dani: The biggest mistake I've made is apologizing for things I didn’t do. What I’ve learned is being more confident in my self and in my decisions.
MJ: How do you handle criticism or bullies?
Dani: There’s such a big difference between bullies and criticism. I don’t tolerate bullies, they just get deleted or blocked. Criticism makes me better even though it hurts sometimes.
MJ: What's the hardest and easiest part of being the boss?
Dani: The hardest part is not having set hours. You have to be extremely self-disciplined. The hardest part though is that whenever anything goes wrong whether or not it’s your fault you are responsible. The best part of being a boss is setting my own hours [even though that can be hard sometimes] and to have the flexibility to change directions when I want to.
MJ: What are your top 3 tips for someone starting their own business?
Dani: 1. Be open to feedback. 2. Have integrity behind every decision [don’t skip over details] 3. Hire people who are smarter than you
MJ: Is Divi hiring? What do you look for in potential employees? What's your favorite interview question?
Dani: Yes, Divi is hiring! When hiring potential employees, I look for passion, someone who is innovative and someone who has good character. My favorite interview question is asking what someone is passionate about outside of work. I think it tells a lot about a person.
MJ: What's next for Divi?
Dani: Continuing to listen to our customers and consumer demand, lots of new SKU’s (which I’m very excited about) and hoping for some more retail launches!
]]>
MJ: What is Tower 28?
Amy: Tower 28 is a clean beauty brand designed for sensitive skin and made for all. We design everything with our leading message in mind, that #ItsOkayToBeSensitive. As such, we're not only inclusive and accessibly priced, but we're also the first and only beauty brand to strictly adhere to the National Eczema Association's ingredient guidelines. That means our products contain 0 potentially irritating ingredients and are 100% safe for sensitive skin.
MJ: What was your first job and why?
Amy: After undergrad, I took a job in management consulting. While it wasn’t necessarily a passion of mine at the time, it felt like a “safe” choice until I figured out what I really wanted to do with my career! After two years in consulting, I went back to school to get my MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. At a school event, I sat next to Michelle Taylor, who is a beauty industry legend: formerly the CEO of Kate Somerville Skincare and President at Kiehl’s. I took a leap and offered to be her intern. I commuted from LA to Santa Barbara twice a week, and worked for free while I was still in business school. From then on, I was hooked and totally obsessed with all things beauty!
MJ: What are 3 things you wish you did earlier in your business?
Amy: I know it might sound cliche, but I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and my journey with Tower 28 is no different. Sure there were frustrating obstacles and mistakes in the beginning, but everything is a learning opportunity and I wouldn’t be where I am today without having to problem solve and learn from the ground up.
If I *had* to do something differently, I think I would’ve just taken a deep breath and enjoyed the ride a bit more! I’m a naturally risk-averse person, so the early days of entrepreneurship were incredibly stressful at times. But there’s no point in worrying about “maybes”!
MJ: What's your advice for women who want to leave their full time job and become an entrepreneur?
Amy: Be kind to everyone. You never know who will become an integral part of your entrepreneurial journey, and it’s so important to have a village to lean on. Reach out to your network, ask people you admire out for a cup of coffee, and send a thank you note after :)
MJ: What's the biggest mistake you've made so far? And what did you learn?
Amy: This is not specifically related to business advice, but I would step away from the steroids to treat my life-long eczema! I relied on them way too much during flareups, when what my skin really wanted was for me to be kind to it. My experience with severe eczema was actually one of the catalysts to creating Tower 28; I needed products that wouldn’t exacerbate my sensitive skin. Now, I use one of our best-selling products - the SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray - every day, and it keeps my eczema flareups at bay!
MJ: What's the hardest and easiest part of being the boss?
Amy: The hardest part of being a “boss” at a startup is wearing so many different hats. One day I’m leading R&D on a new product, the next I’m playing sales rep, and then HR manager! It can feel like I’m pulled in a million different directions at once (not to mention being a wife and a mother to three kiddos 🙂).
The easiest part is the ability to pivot and be nimble. When you’re not reporting to anyone, you can listen to your gut and then immediately act on your instincts, which is not possible when you work for a larger corporation. It’s a luxury I don’t take for granted!
MJ: What are your top 3 tips for any starting their own business?
Amy: 1) Be kind and work hard. 2) Remember your why - you’ll need to remind yourself why you’re working so hard (see #1!). 3) Run your own race. It’s so easy to compare but it’s such a distraction and we all have different journeys!
MJ: Is Tower 28 hiring? What do you look for in potential employees? What is your favorite interview question?
Amy: Yes! We are always looking for curious, passionate, fun people who share our same values. I always ask “why Tower 28?” because I want to know why they’re choosing us - it’s a two way street!
MJ: What's next for Tower 28?
Amy: We have some really exciting products in the lineup, all of which will keep your sensitive skin happy! Watch this space!
]]>Founded by a mother daughter duo, Eu’Genia Shea is a family run business dedicated to all natural premium shea butter moisturizers. Their “high concentration and quality can help you reap all the benefits of nature’s wonderbalm.” They are dedicated to fair wages and opportunities for their female workers in Ghana and donate 15% of their profits back to them in the form of an education fund.
Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an Intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop. Through our choice of books, programming and great coffee, we endeavor to create a vibrant community space where everyone; specifically womxn-identified folx, feel centered, affirmed and celebrated.
Founder Marsha Douglas-Syndor couldn’t find a pair of sunglasses to match her complexion so she started her own company. The eyewear shade finder helps you find your perfect pair of chic shades.
Their goal is “to take the sweat out of your morning routine by offering protective hair accessories that are fashionable and functional. After experiencing hair breakage caused by the constant friction from a car seat on a bumpy 8 hour ride during a 2014 trip to Kenya – owner Grace Eleyae decided she had enough with damaged chemically straightened hair.
A 100% women owned and operated beauty brand. Latched & Hooked patented curls are non-toxic, stress-free, affordable and designed with the highest quality of synthetic fiber for women who wear protective hairstyles. We are the original creators of textured, pre-curled and looped, synthetic hair designed to match a woman's natural hair texture that is great for crochet braiding.
Nude Barre creates access and representation by providing bodywear that actually matches your skin tone. Former dancer Erin Carpenter was always frustrated when she couldn't find hosiery to match her skin tone. She used that frustration to create Nude Bar, a line of tights, bralettes and underwear that come in 13 shades.
Gilded Body was founded upon the belief that botanically-driven, dermatologically-developed skincare shouldn’t apply only to our complexions. Drawing from the purifying, restorative practices of ancient whole-body bathing rituals, each Gilded Body product creates a layered experience that engages the senses and invites the user to slow down and luxuriate in the art of body care.
]]>
Happy Halloween! We've got your back to create the perfect last minute costume with a touch of EP sparkle, of course!
]]>In this collection, you’ll see new luxe chains, statement charms, and a touch of seasonal sparkle. We’re all about accessorizing this fall and we’ve got your back to make heads turn when you walk in a room.
Q: Where did the inspiration for this collaboration come from?
A: I re-watched Mamma Mia as we started brainstorming this launch. I knew I wanted it to scream summer, but after seeing the movie again I was fully inspired by Greece.
Q: Favorite part of the design process/creation of the line?
A: I love seeing the samples because it's your first moment these ideas come to life and I get to play around with combinations/chains. I went to the Electric Picks office in Hoboken for our design process this round, which was so special after designing past pieces in quarantine.
Q: What makes you want to keep coming back for more EP collabs?
A: I feel like EP is family to me at this point!! I work with tons of brands I love, but this is one that I wear daily (seriously I never take my necklaces off)! Jewelry has become a part of my brand now and there's no one else I'd rather work with to bring my followers good quality and affordable pieces.
Q: If you had to pick, what’s your favorite piece in the collection? The piece you're not taking off all summer?
A: The Evy, it's so different and pearls are super on trend right now.
Q: Who would you LOVE to see rocking your collection?
A: Hailey Bieber or Morgan Stewart!
Q: What keeps you going when things get challenging?
A: My family!
Q: Tell us your thought process behind choosing product names. How did you land on the names for this collection?
A: I usually try to name the pieces after important people or things in my life. This round I named the choker and pendant after my cousins who I adore. I picked a piece that most fit each of their personalities, The Evy and The Lila.
Q: There's SO many good fashion trends we're loving, what is your go-to look lately?
A: I'm into simple and chic this summer. I love lots of neutrals, linen and layered jewelry or cool shoes as the stars.
Q: You have the best travel content! Got anything big planned for summer?
A: I'm heading to Croatia at the end of July! It's been a bucket list for me so stay tuned :)
To shop Madi’s newest collab, click here.
]]>
Bold Colors
This summer it is all about making your presence known when you walk in that room. Stand out from the rest with bold colored dresses and vibrant matching sets that will make heads turn. Be sure to grab our new Azure Necklace & Mina Necklace that will add that extra pop to complete your look!
Tailored Chic
By now you’ve seen that “effortless yet put together” look all over your social media feed, and it’s not stopping for summer 2022. It’s time to pair your linen blazers, polished button-downs, and pleated shorts with our brand-new statement jewels. Grab our fun & elegant pieces like the Sanibel Necklace, Bondi Necklace, or San Tropez Earrings for the perfect touch of pearl.
Coastal Grandmother
You may have giggled a bit when you heard that “coastal grandmother” was a trend for summer, but we’re totally here for it! You’ll find us in lots of neutrals, nautical stripes, and lightweight fabrics just hoping we can be as chic as grandma. Now tie that sweater over your shoulders and be sure to pair it with our seashore inspired pieces like the Ariel Necklace, Del Mar Necklace, & Adriana Bracelet for those beach days on the coast.
Trendy Tennis
Who said you have to actually play sports to rock the athleisure trend? I don’t own a tennis racket but I definitely own a tennis dress… or two, or three. The preppy yet flirty tennis trend made its appearance for spring, but we don’t see it going anywhere for summer. Get ready for more miniskirts, polo shirts, and lots of crisp white tennis sneakers. Pair this trend with our top-selling Tennis Bracelet Set & Forty Necklace, or go for a more subtle approach to the trend, and grab our Brit Necklace & Bennett Bracelet.
Shop our new summer collection here!
]]>Team EP traveled to Florida to design with Laura in her hometown and we brought our Instagram followers along for the journey. Our first stop was the Beverlin’s Farm. Laura is the quintessential Florida girl—carefree, effortless and effervescent—and she really wanted pieces that represent her personality and every day style. As we were finalizing the samples, we brought our community into the mix to get their opinion. We had an incredible amount of requests for the perfect summer anklet so we got right to work! We had 24 hours to make it happen and we couldn’t disappoint. With a simple yet elevated anchor charm, a double chain, and some temporary wire wrap, the Sailor Anklet came to life.
We shot the final collection on the beach at Treasure Island, FL. Having the waves behind us was the perfect backdrop to show off these warm-weather pieces. Laura decided on a compass charm for one of the necklaces and she was obsessed with the way the charm looks like a sand dollar mixed with a compass. Everything turned out so symbolic of her bubbly personality, her Florida roots, and spending her summers by the sea.
With the different textures and oceanic elements, you can have fun mixing and matching all the pieces. We are so excited to finally share Laura’s second collaboration with you and hope you love it as much as we do!
]]>For the one that has it all. These classic yet versatile pieces are sure to impress any mom in your life.
For the selfless one that’s always thinking of everyone else. Give her a thoughtful piece with meaning behind it—our tags share the origin story of each piece. It’s more than just a chain.
For the one that wears her heart on her sleeves. Go the extra mile with one of these personalized initial pieces.
You don’t need to break the bank to show Mom how much she means to you.
]]>Preppy Tennis Style
By now sweater vests and tennis skirts have taken over your social media feed. Our take on the trend includes charms and a touch of sparkle. Go for the Forty Necklace paired with the Serena Necklace. And don’t forget a wrist stack—start with the Tennis Bracelet Set and layer up on dainty rings.
Platform Shoes
We’re especially loving this trend because it pairs perfectly with anklets. Anklets are on the rise again and we’re not mad about it. Not sure where to start? Check out our favorite starter anklets: the Python, Paris, and Leo.
Texture
Ruched, smocked and woven—we’re seeing manipulated fabrics and fun knitwear reminiscent of the early 2000s. Add textured jewelry to max-out on the y2k inspired trend. The Ameilia Necklace and the Elle Necklace add just the right amount of boldness. Sculptural earrings like the Piper finish off the look.
Relaxed Tailoring
The easiest way to go from the office to a night out—loose tailored pants and a lightweight button-down. Dress it down with chunky sneakers or dress it up with a strappy heel. Complete the look with a gold layered necklace stack (Our pick: Layering set #19. The Harper 1mm 14", Harper 1mm 18", and Crystal Necklace stack perfectly together) and the effortlessly-chic Cam Hoops.
]]>We are proud to be a female founded and run jewelry brand. We asked our team to share what it's like to be a part of #TeamEP, what inspires them and what makes them feel empowered 💪🏼
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Jenna, Operations Manager
"Be confident as who you are at your core. Don't try to mold yourself into who you think you should be or what society tells you where you should be in life. Say yes to as many opportunities as you can to learn what you like and what you don't like. Stop squeezing into places you don't fit and build your own room to empower others to chart their own path. Have fun along the way."
What's your favorite part about working at EP?
Sara, Fashion Assistant
"My favorite part about working at EP is that it is a small business. It is so rewarding to get to see a small women owned business grow and be successful everyday. I also love being surrounded by our empowered, motivated and amazing team of women in the office!"
Who is a woman you are inspired by and why?
Amanda, Operations Assistant
"I am most inspired by my mom! She is the most hard-working, caring person I know and if you ever need her help the answer is always yes. She has done everything she can in her life to give my siblings and I the best life possible, and I hope one day I can be as amazing as she is!"
Mariah, Production Assistant
"The most influential woman in my life would be my grandmother, Mary. She was raised during the great depression and took over as head of the household during WWII while my grandfather was stationed over seas, and no matter how difficult things would get, Mary could find the silver lining in every cloud and always looked for that rainbow after the storm. She taught us to work hard, be honest, be kind, help others and to be grateful for absolutely everything! I was so incredibly fortunate to have her in my life and credit her with shaping me into the woman I am today."
What’s the best part of being part of an all female team?
Tara, Social Media & Content Coordinator
"I love working with so many incredible women! This is my first time working in an all female office and we have a great leader in MJ who has set such a great example for the team. My favorite part is being surrounded by creative, collaborative feminine energy. You get the feeling that everyone is cheering each other on and I love that."
Shannon Production & Wholesale Coordinator
"At my previous position, I had no co-workers for over a year. I worked in an office by myself. Coming into EP and now working with an amazing group of talented and down-to-earth women is amazing. We have established, from day one, an incredible environment of support, camaraderie, and we all mesh so well together. I'm grateful to not only work with these women but know them as people as well! Nothing like it! I wish this kind of work environment for everyone!"
What do you look forward to each week?
Ines, Fashion Assistant
"Working in a small business surrounded by such amazing women as a fashion assistant, I always look forward to the new and exciting things coming up. From new collabs, to new product launches, to a simple team bonding activity. We never have two weeks that are the same, so it is always a great learning opportunity to adapt to the new challenges and projects! I always look forward to growing a little more surrounded by so much support and creativity!"
What advice would you give your younger self?
Hannah, Production Coordinator
"Just keep showing up for yourself; everything you're going through is preparing you for the next opportunity. Keep your head up, and your mind open; you will find somewhere you can thrive and build yourself up better than ever before. Life is tough, but so are you!"
]]>
This is Lauren’s second collection with Electric Picks! With the success of her first launch, she’s back again with even more meaningful pieces. Lauren traveled to Hoboken and worked with the team at Electric Picks to bring her life experiences and memories to the design process. We sat down with the stylish influencer to get her take on the creative process, what the collection means to her, and what mindset she’s going into 2022 with.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to creating a relationship with Electric Picks?
A: I live in Dallas, married to my Michael, best friend in the whole world. I have a 3 year old angel daughter named Shiloh, an Australian labradoodle puppy, and have been an influencer for about 7ish years now! I love fashion and would say my everyday style is pretty simple - I like outfits that can take me from a workout to pre-school pick up to meeting a friend for coffee, but that also make me feel chic + put together at the same time. I fell in love with Electric Picks about two years ago because I love how the jewelry helps elevate ANY outfit - whether it was for a workout or date night. It's jewelry that makes a statement yet jewelry that I never have to take off! It's truly a part of my life now!
Q: What is the inspiration behind this collection?
A: This collection is honestly so near + dear to my heart. It's inspired by the past 2ish years of our lives that have been a really trying season to walk through. We've been battling secondary infertility for about two years and there have been a few things that have really helped me through: my mom, sunrise / sunset walks, and seeing rainbows. I wanted this jewelry collection to symbolize all of those things.
Q: What did the creative process look like working with Team EP?
A: This is my second collection with EP and both times have been SUCH a dream experience. I essentially get to present my vision + ideas to MJ and Chantel...and then their team brings it to life! We reviewed inspiration images, discussed my idea for a rainbow and heart charm, what kind of chain I wanted...they share some creative feedback and then make the magic happen! For this collection I was also so happy to be able to fly to Hoboken to visit the EP team in person, see some samples, try things on...and make this collection come to life!
Q: What is the biggest takeaway you've learned from this experience working with Electric Picks?
A: The importance of not settling for just "okay" and really pushing through until the product is EXACTLY like you want it to be! With this collection, we went through tons of different samples and design changes because I wanted these pieces to be jewelry that I personally was ecstatic to wear, and hoped all of my followers would be too. And at the end of the day, I LOVE how everything turned out!
Q: What piece from the collection has the most meaning to you?
A: Definitely the rainbow necklace. Throughout the past two years, on some of my hardest days with bad news from a doctor or another negative pregnancy test...I would randomly see a rainbow. And everytime I did it was like God was whispering to me "I see you. I'm still here. And I have a plan. You can trust me".
Q: Do you have any advice for someone battling infertility?
A: I don't necessarily think you need to tell every human in your life about your infertility journey, but I do think it's crucial to have a core group of friends & family you can talk with about it. Infertility feels so isolating already, and it's even harder if you walk through it alone. Let people in. Consider seeing a counselor. Pick 3-5 women you truly trust to confide in, ask for prayer, or just a listening ear.
Q: What's your motto for 2022?
A: My word for 2022 is intentionality. As a business owner, wife, and mom, my mind tends to be in 5 million places at once. This year I am striving to be intentional with every single task + moment I am in. Intentional time with my daughter, intentional about the content I'm sharing on social media...less multi-tasking, slowing down, and being intentional with each moment & everyday task!
Q: What's your favorite fashion trend for spring?
A: I think fresh + clean monochromatic looks will be a big trend this spring which I love - head to toe all white/neutral looks but in a cozy, boho vibe...I can't get enough of it!
Q: Favorite part of your beauty routine?
A: I don't do it often enough but ICE ROLLING my face is always the most relaxing + satisfying step in my beauty routine and helps so much with sculpting and also reducing puffiness!
Shop Lauren's limited edition here!
]]>Galentine’s Day can be celebrated in any way you’d like—big or small. Take inspiration from Leslie and invite your ladies to brunch, make a cheese board and have a girl’s night in, plan a coffee date, or grab your bestie and go get manis. Our favorite way to celebrate? Send a Galentine’s care package! Creating a personalized gift box with Happy Box is a fun way to share the love with your best gal pals. Add the ‘Thinking of You’ Electric Picks friendship bracelet for that extra special touch.
Start building a care package by selecting a box and then have some fun deciding what gifts you’d like to include. Some of our favorites are the love sleep mask, a sweet treat like the chocolate bar or the conversation hearts, the heart socks, the mimosa scented brunch candle, and of course the “Thinking of You” Friendship Bracelet. Nothing says “I love you, bff!” quite like gold jewelry.
Galentine’s Day is the perfect time to tell your friends you care about them and make them feel special. If you haven’t heard about the holiday, gather your ladypals and use our ideas to make a plan to celebrate each other!
Want to win a Galentine's box for you and your BFF? Enter here.
]]>
The Say My Name Necklace is the perfect personalized option. The 18" chain makes it super versatile.
We've got love on lock with the Love Letter necklace. We love this sweet statement piece!
We love the Mama Necklace for its simplicity. This piece can be layered or worn alone, making it the perfect everyday accessory for mamas of all styles.
Bella's Bracelet is a gift that gives back. All proceeds from Bella's bracelet will benefit the Boston Children's Hospital.
The Nirvana Hoops are a wardrobe staple. They go with everything and are easy to wear everyday.
]]>
The Python Bracelet
"Totally buying this to add to my everyday stack!"—Sara, Fashion Assistant
The Happy Necklace
"This is in my cart because it's a reminder to find happiness in every day. I'll be gifting it to my friends and family too!"—Mariah, Production Assistant
Bolt BFF Bracelet Set
"The Bolt BFF Bracelet Set is in my cart! It's our take on the friendship bracelet and I'll be gifting it to my besties!"—Corie, Director of Marketing
The Harden Necklace
"I've been looking for the perfect statement necklace! My sister is definitely going to try to steal this from me."—Tara, Social Media Coordinator
The Lennon Hoops
"Adding these fun gold hoops to my cart because I know they will add the perfect touch of glam to my outfits for the holidays!"—Amanda, Operations Assistant
And that's a wrap! If you need a last minute gift, give the gift of choice with an Electric Picks gift card—sure to put a smile on anyone’s face and perfect for any jewelry fanatic in your life.
]]>
Kim Kardashian West as Elle Woods
Pair the Billie Choker with the Samantha necklace for a layered look that will have to ready to bend and snap…
Emily Rata as Cleopatra
Emily Ratajkowski's Cleopatra costume is what golden Halloween dreams are made of. Get the look with the Taylor Necklace and the Straight Edge choker.
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building
Solve a murder and start a podcast with the Hendrix hoops, Robbie Necklace, Outlaw and Necklace.
Nicole Kidman as Masha Dmitrichenko in Nine Perfect Strangers
Once you’ve mastered Nicole Kidman’s Russian accent, add a Beam necklace to a flowy top and you can become an evil wellness guru too.
Jasmine Tooks as Princess Jasmine
Jasmine Tooks is a real life Disney princess. Get the look with a Harden necklace and Hyde hoops and enjoy the magic carpet ride!
]]>]]>
This month marks 10 years of Electric Picks Jewelry!
In celebration of a decade of Electric Picks, we’re launching Exclusively You x Electric Picks - our first ever design collab contest where we invite YOU to design the next great piece of jewelry for Electric Picks. Sketch your necklace, earring, bracelet or ring ideas on the form below.
The chosen winner will receive a $1000 cash grand prize and their limited edition piece will be produced and sold online at ElectricPicks.com.
To enter, download or screenshot the design entry form and send your original concepts to info@electricpicks.com
Winner will be announced on 10/15.
]]>
How to Clean your Electric Picks Jewelry
If you're anything like us, you never want to take off your fave jewelry. (After all...It.Goes.With.Everything.) But if you want to keep your styles looking good-as-new, keep reading for some tips & tricks.
The first step to showing your baubles a little love? Determine whether they are gold or sterling silver plated, gold-filled or sterling silver. For an Electric Picks piece, this is easy: just reference the specific item description on our website. Once you know what kind of composition you’re working with, follow our expert cleaning tips below.
Gold-Plated or Silver-Plated
When it comes to spiffing up your gold-plated styles, less is more. All you need is a soft, plain cloth or cotton ball — or, better yet, a jewelry, microfiber or lens cloth if you happen to have one on hand. Gently rub the cloth across the surface of the jewelry until the shine has been restored.
Whatever you do, stay away from water, detergent, and polishing clothes — the latter of which typically feature tarnish removers and other polishing agents that can strip away the plating.
Pro tip: after cleaning, store your jewelry in a dry, air-tight area. We suggest using the beautiful Electric Picks PVC bag your jewelry came in, but a ziploc bag works just fine.
Gold-Filled
For cleaning gold-filled pieces, we also recommend using a jewelry, microfiber or lens cloth. Again, you’ll want to gently rub across the surface until the shine has been restored. If your gold-filled jewelry needs a little more love, you may occasionally use a mild soap and soft cloth to gently clean your bling.
As always, make sure your jewelry is fully cleaned and completely dry before storing it away in a dry, air-tight area. We like reusing the beautiful Electric Picks PVC bag your jewelry came in, but a ziploc bag also does the job.
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver doesn't require much in terms of daily maintance, but it will oxidize over time. We recommending storing it in an air-tight area. We like reusing the beautiful Electric Picks PVC bag your jewelry came in, but a ziploc bag also does the job.
You can use a sterling silver polishing cloth to help maintain it's shine!
]]>
Third time’s a charm! Style influencer Madison Messer is here to stay. Madi began her Electric Picks journey with two stellar collaborations that left everyone wanting more, so it was a no-brainer bringing Madi onto the Electric Pick team for good.
Now, we are pumped to introduce the Madi Messer Collection, a permanent fixture with multiple exclusive drops a year. (Yes, this means when pieces sell out they will be restocked. Phew!)
We sat down with the style guru herself to get her take on the jewelry designing process, upcoming trends and all things 90’s.
Q: What was the inspiration behind this collection?
A: It was totally inspired by the 90’s!
I am a huge TikTocker. Well, I don’t make TikToks, but I watch them religiously! Gen Z is so into going back and digging into stuff that we thought was cool. I’ve been seeing tons of patterns, bright colors, loose jeans coming back into style. I just feel like everything is taking it back to all things 90’s.
I was going back through paparazzi pictures from then and looking at Paris Hilton and Brittany. They were always in tracksuits. Then when Kim Kardashian launched her velour collection in the fall it gave me such strong Juicy Couture vibes. I knew we had to do a piece that was so reminiscent of Juicy Couture days. That was a huge part of my childhood! So that’s where the Heiress Crown Necklace came from. And then the cherries make me think of Lip Smackers. All those pieces were big in forming my style when I was growing up.
I’m turning 30 this year, so this is a big milestone to go back and relive my glory days.
Q: What’s different about these pieces?
A: My unique style! Jewelry is my thing. I play around with it every day; I wear it every day. I feel like I have a very different sense of style that can go from preppy to edgy to dress-up-dress-down in five seconds.
When I’m creating pieces, I want you to be able to wear it 24/7. Like, what would look cute with a black sports bra at the gym? This cherry style is on a shorter chain that’s not going to hit you in the face when you’re doing burpees at Barry’s.
Q: Tell us more about expanding your collabs into your own collection. How does that change things?
A: It started out as a one-time collab we had no idea how well it’d sell.
I had so many ideas that I didn't get to that we just had to keep going. We haven’t even begun to go through the surface of everything that I want to do eventually.
And I think I bring a different and fresh eye to Electric Picks. I’m a little younger so I feel like I keep a pulse on what’s younger than me. So, I'm bringing to the table new ideas that they might not necessarily see every day that I’m seeing through friends, my little cousins who have their own cool California style. MJ and Chantel know the jewelry side of it so well that a lot of the times I have this weird vision and I love that they can bring it to life. We balance each other out in that sense.
Q: What’s the design process like?
A: I mood-board first with my assistant. We went through and created this huge collage that was sitting in my living room forever. That's how we came to the retro vibe because we were putting all these pictures together and were like, these are all things that used to be in style and are coming back around.
When it comes to lengths and thickness, I like to create pieces that will look good together or layer really well because I’m someone who wears multiple necklaces at one time.
I want these to be things that are super wearable. I want you to be able to wear it to a wedding or with a white t-shirt and jeans."
Q: What’s it like to collaborate with the Electric Picks team?
A: Oh my gosh, amazing! I feel like every time I would send then a picture they would already have it on their mood-board. We think on the same page with a lot of things, which is nice. It’s so easy!
We both trust each other so much, which is so important when you're working in business with someone. It’s the most effortless easy process. I tell them all the time ‘this is your wheelhouse even more than mine. I’ll give you the ideas but you tell me what you think”. I am very flexible with them too. I give them a lot of room to guide me, which is the perfect working relationship honestly. I’m so grateful for it!
Q: Who are your favorite people to follow on insta?
A: “Hailey Bieber and her stylist! They’re like my ultimate. She's like my style icon. Her jewelry style is impeccable.
Q: Favorite trend coming for summer?
A: “I love the three piece bikini set. It’s really in. Buying a bikini that comes with a matching sarong, or matching shorts or matching scrunchy. I’m loving that whole vibe.”
Q: What’s your most cherished piece of jewelry?
A: Wow that’s so hard. I have two answers. If it was Electric Picks it would be one of the pieces from my first collection. That will forever be so special to me, because it was the start of our relationship. Probably the butterflies, it just turned into this huge thing that people relate with me.
And if it’s not Electric Picks, I bought myself a Cartier watch two years ago. That was like my first major big-girl investment. It’s one of those pieces that I’ll have forever. I’ll hand it down to my daughter one day!
]]>
]]>
My business is called Miss Daisy, we are a floral shop based in Las Vegas, NV since 2014.
2. How did you get the idea to start?
Growing up, my mom would cut fresh roses from her garden and put them on my nightstand. The fresh scent of flowers always brought back childhood memories for me.
While living in New York City and working as a fashion buyer, I would walk through the flower district to get to the garment district each day on my way to work and I always said to myself that I would love to own my own shop one day. After being in the corporate and start up worlds for 5 years in NYC, I started taking classes for fun and ended up pivoting my career after attending the New York Flower School and moved back home to Las Vegas to open Miss Daisy. The rest is history!
3. What’s the biggest Challenge of CoVid for your small business right now?
The biggest challenge to my business was turning away orders from clients. Some of my top clients were texting me for weeks saying they wanted flowers delivered and it was heartbreaking to tell them we were closed.
It takes so long to gain the trust of your customers. I felt like I was letting them down by not being able to deliver! Not only was it impossible to get flowers as all of the wholesalers were closed, but I wasn’t able to keep all of my staff on payroll as we’re not an essential business. Luckily the last we weeks we were able to roll out our “contactless deliveries” and have been able to get flowers from our wholesales, just in time for Mother’s Day.
4. What’s the biggest opportunity/insight you’re learning through this experience?
When you're in the trenches of your business day in and day out, you tend to put aside protocols and projects that you've wanted to work on. Taking a step back and actually having the time, I began to evaluate my business, created new structures with my shop manager and lead designer ( both of who I kept on payroll throughout the shut down) and we spent time putting better procedures in place. My business is constantly moving and it was helpful to take a few weeks to rethink the way the business is ran and were able to hit the restart button.
5. What’s a typical day look like for you now working in CoVid? What’s changed?
A typical WFH day is having a daily touch base with my team, reorganizing photos from past events, updating our website, and posting photos to our story on Instagram of arrangements to make people smile.
6. What’s something people might not necessarily know that’s affecting your business right now?
The availability of flowers and the floral wholesale industry as a whole. So much product was thrown away when shops around the world were shut down. It's horrible to think of all of those flowers being thrown away and not enjoyed. Now that we are offering gift deliveries, it's important for our clients to know that everything is designer's choice and due to limited access on product we are creating as beautiful arrangements as possible with what we have access to.
7. Can you share some advice for those of us ordering Mother's Day Flowers?
This Mother's Day it's even more important to share the love with your mom! With everyone staying socially distant and not able to travel, sending flowers and sending a heartfelt note is a sweet way to make your mom feel special!
As far as advice for ordering flowers, your florist is going to want to put the most beautiful arrangement together for you. Let them pick the bloom as they know what is fresh, when customers put limitations on what they want to send, it can be challenging for the florist to fulfill their requests (especially at this time). Suggesting "designer's choice" and with a few colors suggestions is the best way to get a beautiful arrangement to your mom this year :)
]]>
1) What’s your business?
Deskpass is a multi-city co-working membership that provides affordable, flexible access to over 500 wonderful, diverse workspaces and meeting spaces.
Think of us as the ClassPass for coworking spaces!
We also have a Deskpass Virtual Community that hosts free virtual coworking and professional events daily during quarantine.
2) How did you get the idea to start?
6 years ago I started my first coworking space, so I knew first hand how hard it was to continually be advertising and trying to get new members to join. We created Deskpass as a way for people to easily learn about, and try out, all the great coworking spaces in their area - and most importantly - to help other coworking space owners get free advertising and lead generation from Deskpass to help their businesses grow and thrive.
3) What’s the biggest Challenge of CoVid for your business right now?
Since the 500+ coworking spaces on our network across the nation are temporarily closed, we've allowed our members to pause their membership since they can't use our service. Pretty terrifying that we don't have a service to sell at the moment, right? But we're using this time to deliver value to our members through our Virtual Community, while also revamping our platform to accommodate the influx of coworking that we know will come as soon as workspaces can open again. Everyone is going to want to be coworking after being stuck working from home...and we'll be ready for it! So after the initial challenge of having to adapt our business so rapidly when this all started...the current challenge is being forward-thinking and proactive enough to be able to anticipate what is ahead, and adapt our business accordingly.
4) What’s the biggest opportunity/insight you’re learning through this experience?
Staying positive is not enough, you have to be realistic too. Being realistic means taking action, creating a new service offering, or pivoting your existing services to provide a value in this new, unchartered territory ahead. So rather than just staying positive in order to get through this quarantine without having a breakdown, you have to take action too.
5) What’s a typical day look like for you now working in quarantine? What’s changed the most?
I have a morning routine that I do every morning, no matter how I'm feeling, because a routine provides structure and when the world around us feels so crazy and out of control, your routine can provide a sense of groundedness and control.
My morning routine is: 15 minute meditation, 2 minutes to fill out my gratitude journal (I use the free 5 Minute Journal app), and then 1 quick round of abs/arms/squats to get my energy going.
6) What are some tips or advice that’s helping you through this time?
Stay healthy and active, and make it FUN otherwise you won't do it. Meaning if you don't enjoy a certain kind of exercise then stop doing it and try something else! I'm a dancer, so every week I add a bunch of dance videos ranging from 10-30 minutes to my 'Watch Later' list on YouTube.
Then, throughout the day I take at least 2-3 breaks and do a quick dance video from the list, depending on the amount of time I have at that moment. By the end of the work day I've had at last 60 minutes of exercise already!
7) What’s something people might not necessarily know that’s affecting your business right now?
All of our partner spaces are scrambling to make changes to their workspaces in order to reopen as soon as possible, but in a way that allows people to stay safe while on-site. For example, spacing out all desks to be 6 feet apart and increasing cleaning and sanitation. I hope they can all obtain the funding they need not only to stay open, but to make the changes quickly so they can resume operations asap.
8) Can you share a profound moment that you’ve experienced during quarantine? (Something that scared/surprised etc you)
I think by now we've all had at least 1 awful day during quarantine...mine was on a Sunday about 5 weeks into quarantine. All the feelings came rushing in: fear, sadness, anxiety, grief, and worry. My mind was racing with all the bad things that could happen (getting sick, dying, people I love dying, my business failing, etc). Luckily it was in the evening so I just made myself go to bed to try and sleep it off since for me, a new day always brings me motivation.
The next morning I still felt a heaviness and worry about the unknown. Then ironically, Tim Ferris reposted one of his old podcast episodes about 'Fear Setting' and it changed my life instantly. Fear Setting is where you write down your fears, and the possible results of action or inaction.
You can learn the method quickly via his Ted Talk video here. Now, when I start to feel that weight of fear I do this activity. It's the same as athletes who visualize their success - by visualizing your fears you bring them out of the darkness and create a plan to address them.
1) What’s your business?
I’m an on-air fashion correspondent/stylist. (Melissa can frequenctly be spotted on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Extra And the Wendy Williams Show!)
2) How did you start?
I practiced law for close to 10 years and was never fulfilled. I always knew if I could do it over again I would go into fashion. With 3 kids in tow, I decided to finally take a huge leap of faith and leave my career as an attorney to follow my dreams in fashion. It was so scary, but I knew that I needed to take that leap.
I initially started with a website. I was helping everyday women who struggled with their wardrobe, that was 7 years ago.
Lots of hustle and huge providential blessings, here I am, a nationally recongnized on-air fashion expert. I’m incredibly blessed to do what I love.
3) What’s the biggest Challenge of CoVid for you right now?
Since we are in quarantine the nature of my work has “changed” a bit. A good friend of mine who is a host on one of the morning shows has been away from home much longer than expected and doesn’t have access to her closet so I have reached out to friends I have in the industry to pull her pieces to wear while she is on-air until she is able to get back home.
Segment work has also changed since no-one is really going into the studios anymore, anchors included! I have however still been working on creating content for the morning shows.
I shoot the content in my home - I am the model, which is definitely a change for me, and send the raw footage off to the producers to cut and put together for either live TV or social channels.
4) What’s the biggest opportunity/insight you’re learning through this experience?
Confirmation of how important my faith is and how having a solid foundation is imperative.
5) What’s a typical day look like for you now in quarantine? What’s changed the most?
What’s changed the most is my schedule; in essence it has completely flipped. Where as I used to wake up at 4am for work (morning shows film bright and early); I now find myself going to bed at 4am and waking up close to 10.
A typical day I wake up, check work emails and social and try to get in a pilates workout or run. While I have my coffee, I do a crossword puzzle and read a daily devotional.
In the afternoon, I’m talking to producers, researching, and pitching stories.
One of the many silver linings to this quarantine is that we have dinner together as a family every night. I love cooking and this has given me the opportunity and time to do it.
Our names are Brooke Stowers and Samantha Belfer. We have a women’s boutique in Hoboken called Brooke + Bel.
We met as buyers in the Women’s Contemporary buying office at Saks Fifth Avenue.
After working together on the same team for two and a half years we developed an amazing chemistry as colleagues and became close friends. We balance out each other’s strengths and weaknesses perfectly. We knew that together we could create something incredible that we could call our own.
We both grew up working at our local boutiques, studied fashion merchandising and began our careers at Saks. While we received extensive buying and planning training skills, after five years, we knew we found the perfect person to achieve our dreams with. Our vision was to take our buying knowledge and tailor it for the Hoboken community - bringing in elevated brands we love to shop and knew the Hoboken girl would love too.
We planned to open our store in mid March which is exactly when the pandemic escalated to a degree that forced the government to shut down non-essential businesses.
Because our focus is community driven, it’s been difficult that we haven’t gotten the chance to open our doors and get to know our clientele. We’ve launched our website and are grateful for the initial love we’ve received through friends and family. But there is nothing that can compare to the personal experience we wanted to give when someone enters our space.
Plan for the best, prepare for the worst and make sure you have great business relationships with your vendors.
It is really beneficial for us to have opened our online store and started our social media presence. We worked hard so that both channels would be open at the same time, so we’re thankful we put in the extra work to get it up and running before this started.
Our Instagram presence alone has garnered us new local friends and partners! We are so hopeful that when we do open, people will be excited to be out and get dressed up for work and for fun again. That’s where our biggest opportunity lies. Lastly, it’s been emphasized so deeply that small businesses are the life blood of our economy. People are ready to champion and prioritize small local businesses like never before.
Sam: Brooke knows this but I am the queen of sleeping in. It’s been nice not having an alarm to wake up to. I’ll do an at home workout (my favorite online classes are by Melissa Wood Health or Peloton). It’s crazy because I’ve been working out so much more during quarantine than I did in real life!
If we have any orders to fulfill I’ll walk to the store (I live in Hoboken 6 minutes from the shop!) and mail our packages from the UPS across the street. My fiancé Eitan is the cook in our home so he’ll whip me something up to eat and we watch a show. Right now we’re watching Lost & UK Love Island (embarrassing, I know :))
Brooke: My life looks a little different these days— much slower than normal! My husband and I are quarantined on his family's farm in Virginia.
As soon as the shelter in place went into effect in Hoboken we packed the car with a bunch of our inventory and drove directly down here so we could have a little more space than our NYC apartment. We have a 7 month old puppy, so my day starts with her 6am walk with a coffee and feeding her. Then I run the length of the farm for a little exercise before I have a matcha and answer emails.
If I have inventory to mail out, I'll package and drop off at USPS in the afternoon or do my grocery run. I love to cook and I'm usually logged off after I start making dinner around 6pm. Sam and I are opposite, I'm an “early to rise-early to sleep” type, so around 8pm we'll watch reruns of The Office or Curb Your Enthusiasm or read (I just finished 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - definitely recommend!) and we are asleep by 10:30. Luckily our puppy sleeps through the night with us now!
Staying positive may sound like a cliché but it’s really the best advice we could give. We are both naturally extroverted people so it’s easy to get down during a time where we are separated from friends and family. But doing little things each day to stay in tune with ourselves like working out or FaceTiming with friends can turn your day around and make it positive.
There are major logistical hardships caused in this climate. In retail all of our orders are placed a season in advance. We have new deliveries hitting our store every 2-4 weeks, and many have to be put on hold until we can physically open. With this though, we are thankful for our wonderful partners. All of our brands have been willing to help during this time of need, whether it’s holding shipments, sending images to share on our social or just checking in by email to say hi and see how we’re doing.
Sam: This was a year where many of my dreams were coming true and unfortunately have been put on hold. 2020 was the year where I opened my dream business and married my dream man. Although these life altering moments are now on hold, it made me realize how lucky I am to get to live out my dreams in the first place.
Brooke: The minute that we found out the shelter in place was in effect in Hoboken was the day our sign went up above our door - that was a really crazy moment.
We had been planning to open that weekend and we have been planning this for over a year with so many hurdles overcome along the way. We had just reached the finish line when it felt like the wind was taken from our sails. We were mentally prepared for that but it was just challenging to accept it. Although this is an unprecedented time with no roadmap of how to handle it the right way, I feel really blessed that all of my family and friends are healthy at this time.
You can support Sam & Brooke's dream business Brooke + Bel by shopping online here- BrookeandBel.com
They carry a selection of brands such as WeWoreWhat, LoveShackFancy, Nicholas, Levi's, Cotton Citizen, Joah Brown, Suburban Riot and of course- Electric Picks!
No matter the piece or the price , we all want to get the most out of our jewelry. You guys ask us about this all the time so I wanted to drop some knowledge about the different types of jewelry available and some tips/tricks on how to take care of them.
Lets start with the different types of gold! When you’re looking for gold jewelry these are the types that come up most often- gold plated, gold vermeil, gold filled and solid gold.
Here’s the breakdown:
Gold Plated: Gold plating is a layer or gold applied to a base metal (ours is brass). So the base is metal and the gold is essentially dipped over the outside of that base (there is no gold inside the piece). Our gold plated pieces are plated with 5x the amount of normal gold plating because quality is our #1!
Gold Vermeil: Gold vermeil is genuine sterling silver that has been expertly plated with a thick layer of gold. The difference here is the base must be sterling silver. These pieces are great for individuals who may have sensitive skin or allergies to base metals.
Gold Filled: Gold filled jewelry has around 100% more gold than gold plated jewelry and a much higher tarnish resistance. It is made by bonding together gold and another base metal, so there is gold in the entire piece and not just an outside coating. It will not flake of or change colors. Gold filled is a great (and economical) alternative to solid gold jewelry. This type of gold is easy to maintain and normally lasts a lifetime.
Solid Gold: Solid gold is the highest in price in purity. Pure gold is actually too soft for everyday wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals to give it strength and durability. Karatage indicates the purity of the gold, or how much of the metal is pure gold. For example, 18kt gold is 75% gold, 14kt gold is 58% gold.
CARE
So how do I take care of and get the most out of my piece?
Gold Plated & Gold Vermeil: We recommend you keep it dry and away from skincare products. Take it off to shower, don’t wear it swimming, and avoid coming into contact with lotions and creams. Storage tip- keep it in a plastic bag to help avoid moisture in the air.
Gold Filled: You are fine to shower in gold-filled jewelry, get it wet, wear it for life! We do recommend you remove it in salt water or chlorine. Wearing it while using basic lotions is fine, but remove it when putting on anything strong- retinol, peels, glycolic acid etc.
Solid Gold: Little care is needed here. Give it a wipe with a jewelry cloth once and awhile to keep it fresh.
Now keep on shining...because no matter what you're wearing you are GOLDEN!