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Jenny Schretter is a self taught designer who began making jewelry as a hobby. Now she donates 10% of every online purchase to charity
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It's twelve weekly small business spotlight now in this economy.
Which is still struggling of course is that we all know -- too well.
We like to focus on a on a small business how they came about what they're doing what their plans on whether their hiring.
Every week so today we're joined by Jenny Shrek -- Who is the founder and -- of colds and jade jewelry you can tweet them at Colton on the school.
JI Jenny I gather you've launched this lying about it in a -- -- 2010 of what was what was your inspiration is you're entirely self -- -- Yes yes in my background has actually on Wall Street -- -- I was always looking for a creative outlet.
To the other otherwise quantitative world's they started developing.
All the -- wiring technique at that point and then really launched the company.
After I I left Wall Street to pursue sank a physiology at Harvard I'm so when I was up Boston's that's really when it came into you it's being in August of 2010.
Wait so do your own rules straight with a very successful Korea.
You go to Hollywood to do what was it -- physiology adding you spent time you happen to become a brilliant jewelry designer.
-- -- -- Now -- I mean I I -- -- you know a lot of different things and obviously Wall Street you know really -- of the quantitative part of me and and background is in psychology and sociology so I was always really interests did and how stress affects behavior especially angry -- process he is.
And I actually left want to trade a buck and -- -- -- couple my known for his inexperience.
With -- take a physiology research at Harvard in the lab there.
Wow fascinating.
-- done that will put up a few images all of the of the jewelry in and tell us what where your inspiration for your designs comes from -- Wasn't that visited -- of that event as big but Hillary is stop -- eco vintage meaning that it combines.
Qualities of vintage components like anywhere from the 1890s.
The 1950s.
As well as modern component so I'm really inspired by the actual materials themselves whether that be.
The -- songs or the -- its components that have really rich history.
And it's really creating a juxtaposition between the materials themselves and the collars.
Why would just look at -- on screen now and.
Business is doing great I mean I -- the company I had no plan what's elaborate set to have this actually be a business like I said it was.
A hobby and and really -- passion of mine that I enjoy doing on my spare time.
So is really when people started you know asking to purchase and it dressing up my body when I was you know in the subway -- -- a store.
As when they noticed the demand for the products so we launched -- knowing that we had a lot of validation from the consumer side of things.
And it's been great I mean -- you know -- -- asked by the national museum when they are instead create a special capsule collection for the women who rock exhibit we've been in people on in style.
And -- -- and red bug.
So it's been amazing and especially within the past six months.
We've noticed such an increase in sales as well even with Cyber Monday which has fantastic.
That's great and and you -- this I'd love the idea that you're donating 10% of every.
Online and purchased -- to charities are right.
Yes so that plant every cited things is is so important to my business out my belt and as a Philanthropic for profit model.
So is really important to me that the jewelry has a heart that we actually give back to our community.
And do so -- a way to has measurable social impact so for every online purchase you're able to donate 10% to the charity of your choice we've also listed ten.
-- -- vetted women and children's charities as well and then I just recently developed a social impact initiative.
To help empower underprivileged or marginalize women -- senior economic opportunities.
And job training and educational resource says while also having art therapy -- handicraft production so.
I definitely belted CB.
A company that really has a heart to it and gives back to the community that it serves.
Jenny you're not talented brilliant am Philanthropic you make me feel completely an awfully inadequate so -- about doing that today they love you so much.
The web site is out -- and yes I'll be checking that right up to the show to choose something for my life thank you saw Jenny writes I jedi shredder for having me change any sort of standard designer of -- Thank you have as one not lost look at the website cult and the great thing to do just give up your day job and go and become a successful.
Jewelry designer a good -- lesson in pursuing your dreams I guess.
