We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittney Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittney below.

Hi Brittney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I’ve always been a jewelry lover. My late grandmother and aunt used to always give me timeless pieces that I still cherish to this day. It’s funny when I reflect back on how influential those moments of my life with my family were because they really shaped me into the passionate and creative person that I am today.

Before actually starting Julian and Juliet, I was unemployed with a one year old son, Julian, back in 2018. I didn’t have much money and was invited to go to an event that I did not want to miss. I wanted to look GOOD, but I couldn’t afford to pay for accessories or an outfit to do that so I improvised. My favorite quote that my mom always said when I was growing up is that “it’s not what you wear but how you wear it.” With that being said, I got creative and made me something. Rhinestone pasties to be exact. Once I created my first pair of bedazzled pasties, I had the great idea to turn them into earrings. The journey of becoming a jewelry designer started there and the fun really began.

My first pair of earrings, which I still have by the way, turned into about 5-6 pair of earrings in a week. I was addicted. It would take me about 6 hours to created a single pair of earrings but I didn’t care. It was a form of therapy, an escape from my current circumstance as well as a feeling of accomplishment. Being able to physically create something that I envisioned in my mind in physical form was satisfying. My passion for it was so strong that I really believed that I could share with others and start making profit. I mean, I was getting compliments so why not try to sale.

As I stated previously, it would take me 6 hours to create a single pair of earrings and after a month of finally getting employment as a teacher assistant, that just wasn’t going to work. I didn’t have much time anymore. That’s when I dived into “Youtube University” and researched how to create bracelets especially since I had a few beads at home already. Once I did that, I went from a 6 hour production time to 15 minutes making one bracelet. That’s when I really thought about taking my craft more serious.

I remember creating my brand name as clear as day. I was sitting in the back of the classroom I was assisting with watching Youtube on how to create a brand name that would not be here today and gone tomorrow. It had to mean something to me, something catchy, a name with a story behind it. Ok, I’m a girly girl that loves love, my son, and just romance in general. For some reason, when I think of a love story, I think of Romeo and Juliet. Then, it clicked. Does anyone have the name Julian and Juliet? I searched google, the local business names on the Secretary of State website, EVERYWHERE! No search results found. I knew this would be the one. Something I could keep striving for. My son’s name is on the line and I could never give up on him, therefore, I could never give up on this business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Brittney Arcene and I’m an Internationally Published Celebrity Jewelry Designer from Jackson, MS. Someone with a title like that was not something common to see in my hometown. It still blows my mind that I’ve been able to create such an identity that holds power. I’ve been able to influence other creatives in my industry to recognize that, they too, can soar as high as their mind allows them. That has been a proud moment for me, as well as making the spread of Vogue Ukraine and the cover of Sheen Magazine. I’ve been able to create something out of nothing but faith and the willingness to not give up on myself. It’s really a beautiful thing.

As mentioned above, it wasn’t common in my hometown to see people excel to the magnitude that I have as a jewelry designer. I discovered that it was possible by studying magazines and researching different designers listed in them. I would also go to different department stores and look at the luxury accessories behind the glass counters and think to myself, “That’s going to be Julian and Juliet in there one day! I’m going to be in magazines.” I didn’t know how I was going to get there but I was convinced because if they made it happen, so can I.

I’ve always been a lover of fashion and obsessed with bold accessories that were a little different. I feel that reflects in the way I design my pieces. I create what I call “my dream accessories.” If you do anything with love, it reflects in what you provide to others. I create from the heart and am able to provide a nostalgic feeling when my clients purchase from me. I take my time with packaging. I appeal to the five senses. When people receive my packages, the shipping envelope is pretty. When opened, there’s a fresh scent of baby powder. The jewelry box is custom made in Ukraine which consists of a beautifully handcrafted pillow top jewelry box and I top it off with a handwritten note, thanking each customer, personally, how grateful I am that they purchased from me and how I hope they love their new pieces as much as I loved creating it for them. When I say everything is done with love, I mean it! Once a client purchases from me the first time, they’re hooked. On top of that, they end up following my journey on social media and I’m so thankful for their support and how proud I’m able to make them.

Becoming a celebrity jewelry designer was all about connections and being consistent. Not only did I follow influential people on social media, but I would attend their events or even shop their brand and tag them on my business page while I rocked my own brand. Also, I would follow up and see them out and introduce myself. This definitely wasn’t an overnight thing but more so being consistent in doing so for years. I understand that you must give to receive and in doing so, it’s imperative to keep doing it to gain momentum. Before I became a featured designer with the PR and Showroom that I’m currently with, The Her Group, I would reach out to influencers, send out complimentary products and just show support to them in general. In doing so, I was able to connect with celebrities such as Tambra Cherie, Trina Braxton, Foxy Brown, Corey Holcomb, and Jus Nesh to name a few. They genuinely loved my pieces and I really started to gain confidence in myself that I had some momentum in what I was doing.

In November of 2021, I took a leap of faith and joined the LA based PR and Showroom, The Her Group. After months of sending them DMs on Instagram of my jewelry designs, I’ll never forget when my now public relations representative, Brittany, asked if I wanted to join them. I’m sure I cried but I happily signed that contract. Before joining, I was following another designer that was being represented by them and seen all of their magazine, red carpet, and international features. At that point, I really seen the possibility of what I could be and was so thankful that Brittany seen my potential. This, too, wasn’t an overnight success like I originally thought and I wanted to give up after the first two months but everything in life doesn’t come that easy. When your dreams are involved, it’s a slow and steady journey not a marathon so I learned to have a lot of patience with this particular chapter of my life. But, oh, the returns have been beautiful. I can now say, after 2 years of being with the showroom, that I’ve been featured on ABC’s Juneteenth Special, several magazine publications, the cover of Sheen, Face Magazine and the French magazine, Malvie as well as featured on several red carpet events like the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards. Blessed is an understatement when it comes to having the gift to create, I can only thank God for giving me such vision and manifestations.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Most people that has a product to sell knows about those slow seasons in business. I know them all too well. Think about it, you’re posting your heart out, sending emails and dms to current and potential clients and for weeks to a month you get no sales. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to quit? That’s when resilience really kicks in. I keep going no matter what. Those type of moments are all too familiar from time to time but I keep the bigger vision in my head. I understand that tests in life will add to my testimony and that keeps me going. To me, it’s about having mental strength. Everyday isn’t always an easy task, but with a strong mind, I continue to get up everyday and keep pushing. Having a business is not for the weak.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

There’s no such thing as an overnight success. After joining the public relations company, The Her Group, I thought that my designs would take off as soon as I was placed there, but the journey determined that was a lie. I really had to dive into who I was as a designer and not create what I thought people wanted from me but what I wanted as a designer for myself. I’m really passionate about creating what I love and I had to learn that that was my IT factor. That’s what sets me apart. Honestly, I’m still learning because, like most creatives, we have moments of doubt. Then, I feel God always sends little reminders to keep us going and understand that what we’re doing is bigger than us. Once I tap into my artistry and become unapologetically me, I create my best work and it always reflects in the best way when I receive confirmation of another feature that I’ve been a part of. That feeling is irreplaceable!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.julianandjuliet.com
• Instagram: @julianandjuliet
• Facebook: Julian&Juliet
• Other: TikTok: JulianandJulietofficial

Image Credits
Sheen Magazine, Malvie, Cliche Magazine, Jazmine Robinson, Vogue Ukraine, Galore Magazine, Getty Images, 36neex