Podcast Summary: What We Wore - Episode 146: "Fearless" with Jennifer Meyer

Release Date: August 6, 2024

In the 146th episode of What We Wore, host Laura Vinroot Poole engages in an inspiring conversation with Jennifer Meyer, a renowned Los Angeles-based jewelry designer. Throughout the episode, Jennifer shares her journey from her Malibu upbringing to establishing a successful jewelry brand, highlighting her fearless approach to life and business. The discussion delves into her early influences, entrepreneurial challenges, mentorship experiences, and the delicate balance between motherhood and running a growing enterprise.

1. Early Life and Influences

Jennifer Meyer reminisces about her childhood in Malibu, emphasizing the freedom and creativity that shaped her future endeavors.

• Beachside Beginnings: Growing up with the beach as her backyard fostered a carefree spirit. "I loved that freedom, just being on the beach and being like, you know, carefree." (01:06)

• Family and the Entertainment World: Jennifer was exposed to the entertainment industry through her father's work as an agent, which provided her with unique experiences from a young age.

  • "I have a lot of memories and a lot of stories of being a little girl and growing up in that world." (02:00)

• Grandmother’s Artistic Influence: Her grandmother’s enameling artistry ignited Jennifer’s passion for jewelry design.

  • "I loved sitting there and doing it with her. And that was my first sort of understanding of how much I loved jewelry and creating jewelry." (03:08)

• Mother’s Classic Style: Jennifer attributes her appreciation for timeless fashion to her mother’s impeccable sense of style.

  • "She really just knew what looked good, how to dress, and it was always classic." (03:54)

2. Discovering Her Passion for Jewelry Design

Despite her initial career path in child and family psychology, Jennifer found her true calling in jewelry design.

• Career Transition: While working for prestigious brands like Glamour, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren, Jennifer realized her passion for jewelry design was undeniable.

  • "I always knew growing up, I wanted to be in the fashion world in some way." (04:56)

• Encouragement to Pursue Dreams: A significant turning point came when her then-boyfriend encouraged her to follow her passion.

  • "There's no try." (06:35)

3. Building the Jewelry Business

Launching her own jewelry line required overcoming substantial challenges and learning the intricacies of the industry from scratch.

• Starting from Square One: Jennifer candidly shares her lack of initial knowledge and the trial-and-error process she endured.

  • "I had no clue. I went. And the first thing I did was started taking beading courses." (10:00)

• First Breakthrough with Barney’s: Persistence paid off when Julie Gilhart from Barney’s placed an order, marking a pivotal moment for her brand.

  • "We sold thousands of leaves. Thank you, Jennifer Aniston." (16:09)

4. Overcoming Challenges and Sustaining Growth

Jennifer emphasizes the importance of continuous design innovation to prevent her business from becoming a one-hit wonder.

• Sustaining Success: After the initial success, Jennifer focused on consistently creating pieces that resonate with her audience.

  • "Now what you realize very quickly after is you still have to design things that people love." (17:05)

5. Mentorship and the Vogue Fashion Fund

Participation in the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund was transformative, providing Jennifer with invaluable mentorship and industry connections.

• Winning the Vogue Fashion Fund: Being one of the winners connected her with mentors like DVF (Diane von Furstenberg), who became a lifelong guide.

  • "She was just... She's amazing." (19:07)

• Impact of Mentorship: The guidance received helped Jennifer navigate complex business decisions with confidence.

  • "Money will be the cheapest part of this. Just need to get rid of her slowly." (20:32)

6. Balancing Motherhood and Business

Jennifer discusses the simultaneous challenges and rewards of starting her business while becoming a mother.

• Prioritizing Family: Emphasizing that family comes first, Jennifer found that having a personal passion allowed her to be a more present parent.

  • "Your family always has to come first. Then you're going to be able to work a lot harder." (21:31)

• Transformative Motherhood: Motherhood continues to shape her personal and professional life, enriching her approach to business management.

  • "I have the most amazing team and having something for myself... made me a more present mom." (22:24)

7. Expanding the Business: Opening Stores

Opening her first store in Palisades Village marked a significant milestone, providing a physical space for customers to experience her brand firsthand.

• Store Concept: Jennifer envisioned her store as a "little jewel box," fostering an inviting and interactive environment for customers.

  • "I wanted it to feel like you were walking into a little jewel box." (24:42)

8. Navigating the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic tested Jennifer’s resilience, but strategic online expansion helped sustain her business during challenging times.

• Adaptation and Resilience: The early online launch proved advantageous as physical stores closed, allowing uninterrupted customer engagement.

  • "People have a place to go and that they still wanted to invest in those pieces." (25:26)

9. Current Industry Landscape and Challenges

Jennifer addresses the complexities of the current jewelry market, particularly the fluctuating price of gold and its impact on pricing strategies.

• Economic Pressures: Rising gold prices present challenges, but maintaining consistent pricing is crucial for customer loyalty.

  • "We can't change our prices based on the price of gold. So, you end up taking the hit." (26:48)

10. Leadership and Team Management

A significant aspect of Jennifer’s business philosophy centers around nurturing her team and fostering a supportive work environment.

• Caring for the Team: Jennifer prioritizes her team's happiness and growth, viewing them as integral to the company's success.

  • "I really love my team, and I really care about my team." (27:44)

• Encouraging Dreams: She actively supports her team members in pursuing their personal aspirations, fostering a culture of mutual growth.

  • "We have one life." (29:06)

11. Personal Reflections and Philosophy

Jennifer shares her personal coping mechanisms and philosophical outlook on fear and challenges.

• Facing Fear: Adopting a pragmatic approach, Jennifer chooses to view challenges as solvable problems rather than insurmountable disasters.

  • "There's no point. We gotta roll with the punches." (31:02)

• Inspirational Quotes: She believes in the power of resilience, often quoting, "Hard times make stronger people," and paring it with Dolly Parton's wisdom.

  • "You don't have the rainbow without the storm." (31:45)

12. Future Endeavors and Innovations

Looking ahead, Jennifer is excited about expanding her brand into lifestyle products, including perfumes and home fragrances.

• Lifestyle Expansion: The recent launch of perfumes, hand and body creams, rollerballs, and candles reflects her desire to encapsulate the Malibu-inspired essence.

  • "It reminds me of growing up in Malibu and that scent, that beach scent, it's delicious." (33:53)

13. Nostalgic Moments: Prom Memories

In a heartfelt segment, Jennifer reflects on her prom experiences, highlighting the influence of fashion retailers during her youth.

• Prom Attire: She shares memories of wearing a turquoise dress from Product and an Air Velogier dress from Tracy Ross, showcasing her early love for fashion and jewelry.

  • "I have a bob, and I wore that Clinique BlackBerry lipstick, obviously." (35:59)

Conclusion

Jennifer Meyer’s narrative is a testament to fearless pursuit of passion, resilience in the face of challenges, and the importance of mentorship and community. Her journey from a beachside Malibu childhood to establishing a beloved jewelry brand encapsulates the essence of What We Wore—celebrating the people behind the fashion. Jennifer’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs, illustrating that with determination and support, dreams can indeed become reality.

Notable Quotes:

• “Every single person has something in their head, and we're too scared to say it because we think, how would I ever do that?” — Jennifer Meyer (05:35)

• “Worrying is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain. We don't do it. There's no point.” — Jennifer Meyer (30:44)

• “She was just... She's amazing.” — Jennifer Meyer about her mentor DVF (19:07)

(Timestamps are referenced in parentheses throughout the summary for easy navigation.)