Q & A with the Rondel Founder
My first entrepreneurial journey was...
At age 8, selling buttons in the early 90’s. I would personalize them with names and fun sayings. I had a button machine! Wish I kept that!
I started Rondel because...
I want to bring back jewelry as a way for people to share their stories - to create conversation pieces and connect people for generations. Rondel is about quality pieces that you can wear forever and that look good from day to evening. I love the idea of having one or two pieces that you wear all the time. I don’t change out my jewelry, so being able to add a new charm or change out a charm based on what I am wearing is the perfect way to show your style while telling your story.
My story, my style is...
To live a happy life surrounded by family and friends that I love.
The most challenging part about starting a jewelry brand is…
When to stop designing more charms! The storytelling opportunities are endless, so I am having a lot of fun with that. I'm excited to get future inspiration from clients and their stories.
I’m inspired by…
EVERYTHING! My travels are always a source of inspiration, but I’m also influenced by what is in front of me. I feel creative walking around in my neighborhood or during time spent with family and friends. I also love meeting new people and hearing their stories, where they are from, what their favorite places are around the world and why. I am that person who, no matter where I go, I find myself saying “I want to live here” or “When can we come back here.”
The people seated at my rond table are…
Creators, Artists, Designers, Experts and Horse Lovers.
When there’s down time, you’ll find me…
Outside always! If there is snow, I'm skiing. If there is sun, I'm at the beach or riding my bike.
A look isn’t complete without…
My arm candy! I'm always covered in meaningful bracelets: the ones my children made me, things I picked up during my travels to Mexico, a bracelet my friend designed, Cartier Love bracelets from my husband and, of course, the Rondel Lindsey Bracelet adorned with my children's initials and shells from my favorite beaches.
A family pass-down I cherish the most is…
My Grandmother’s charm collection. Together, they are a tangible story that continues to be told. She also wore them on a bracelet every day, so these charms are really special to me. My kids love looking at and holding each piece, and they are always asking me to tell them about her, their grandparents' parents, etc. - so sweet! I hope to bring this type of experience to others through Rondel.
Something about me you may not know is…
I’m an avid horseback rider, both Western and English. I learned to ride at age 3 at my grandparents horse farm in New Jersey.
The words I live by…
Don’t take anything for granted!
If I were a Rondel charm, I’d be…
A heart! We offer so many different kinds of heart charms, because I feel like the shape speaks to so many people. Love is really an important foundation for happiness - love you find with family, the love of friends and love from your animals! I also engrave everything! I am obsessed with personalized charms that have names, initials and favorite sayings.
My favorite Rondel piece is…
The Gold Sunburst Medallion Charm. It was inspired by a piece from my grandmother’s original charm collection, which was engraved with her name (Irma). The shape also represents the kind of strength she had as a woman. She broke a lot of molds, and I think that is a lot of why I am who I am. I have always been surrounded by strong females: my mom, my grandmothers and now my 9 year old daughter!
