Jersey City Spotlight: Rachel Mulherin

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS! HOW DID IT START? BIGGEST CHALLENGE? FAVORITE PART? WHERE DO YOU SEE IT GOING?

My business started as a jewelry hobby probably 15 years ago now. I have always been into fashion and right out of college I took an internship in NYC at a fashion PR showroom and quickly realized PR probably wasn't my thing but I saw the behind the scenes of photoshoots and fashion designers, and realized I could really take my jewelry hobby to the next level and enter the fashion world that way.  I started small, started with an ETSY and quickly created RachelMulherin.com and the rest is history. I quit my day job over 3 years ago now and have been doing this full time. I use organic elements, geodes, semi-precious stones, and metals to create beautiful statement jewelry that has a very bohemian glam vibe. We try to bring a little bit of glam into every day, but statement earrings are my thing!  The biggest challenge is probably just not knowing what I was doing and literally trial and error to figure out how to sell direct to consumers and wholesale shows, shipping, etc. I really have done it all.  Another more recent challenge would be COVID. I am making statement jewelry, a huge part of my business is weddings and events and that entire industry was cancelled leaving me with the most non-essential items in a global pandemic. But I quickly pivoted to more everyday jewelry and we made it through just fine. Weddings are back and so are we! My favorite part is really two parts. First, working for myself and getting to make my schedule and work with my dog, Kobe :) even though you end up working more as an entrepreneur, I love the flexibility it provides.  And the other part I love is getting to be so creative and working with Brides and women to create truly special pieces. I love connecting with people and I love being a part of something beautiful and memorable. As for going forward, the last two years have been more about survival with COVID and now we are transitioning back to growth. I would love to have a showroom/office space someday for appointments and a team working with me so I'm not doing every little thing myself. And I have recently dabbled in the Home market a bit with vintage jewelry boxes and decor, fun ornaments so I'd love to explore that a bit more. 

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION?

Biggest source of inspiration is really just anything out in the world. Whether it's an outfit, a color palette, a trip to a museum. I really get inspired from anything. I just went to the Dior exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum and something like that gives you such a rush of creativity. 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?

I love going to museums, out to dinner, biking around here. My new hobby that has turned somewhat business is thrifting and going to estate sales to look for vintage treasures. I love it so much. I started selling some things that are jewelry related because we just don't have enough room for this shopping habit.  

FAVORITE LOCAL SPOTS: 

I'm new here so I feel like we're still trying to find our spots. 

- Restaurant - Clove Garden of India

- Coffee Shop - BWE Cafe 

- Place to Shop - estate sales! but still exploring JC

- Bar - Lokal for drinks and a view!

- Outdoor Spot - Newport/Hudson Riverfront walkway and parks