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

Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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.

Short Version:
In an airport!

No joke – I was coming back from vacation in Florida with family and it hit me then and there. I needed to do this and it couldn’t even wait for me to get home!

Longer Version:
After I lost my dog Gibbs I felt lost and didn’t know what to do with myself. Sure I had my 9-5 job but without him by my side, it felt like a part of me was missing. We had been though so much together.

We left an abusive relationship when he was a puppy and I had to fight to get him back. Once I did, I made a pact with him that we were going to live the life we wanted and never stop. And we sure didn’t – the whole 11 years I was blessed to have him by my side through all the ups and downs. He saved me and showed me how to heal and become the person I wanted to be. He was my best friend and 11 years was nearly not enough, but I am forever grateful for every single one of those.

So, a little after he had passed, I took a trip to Florida with family to reset. My aunt has a couple of her own businesses and it’s always been inspiring to see her do them. It reminded me of how I always said I was going to own my own business. In college, I went to Northeastern and did both of my co-ops at a high end salon on Newbury Street because I wanted to learn how to run a business. I knew my end goal would be that. But I always let life and excuses get in the way.

Right before our flight home, my mom and I stopped in some cute boutiques. I loved several bracelets I saw, but none of them fit me or the ones that did, I didn’t love the style. By the time I got to the airport I realized that this was it. This is what I wanted to do. I wanted to make jewelry that fit everyone and was styled in a way that I loved. So I wrote a high level business plan in the airport waiting for our flight and pitched it to my mom. She loved it and I did not stop there. The first bracelet I made was in honor of Gibbs and it grew from there. More than my wildest dreams actually.

At first I thought I did this business solely for Gibbs. But I realized I did it for the both of us. Because I still had dreams I wanted to chase and was not done creating the life I wanted.

Nicole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Nicole Bekerian and I’m the owner and founder of Simply the Best by Nicole. Our journey started in May 2021, when I decided to pursue a dream that I’ve had since I was a little girl – starting my own business.

The decision to center my business around jewelry was an easy one – I’ve always loved how different pieces can hold significant meanings or add exactly what is needed to your favorite outfit. It’s so important to me that all of my clients have an opportunity to choose pieces they really love and create a memorable experience.

I’ve always been someone who appreciates the simple things in life and that translates to my jewelry designs. Simplicity can speak volumes.

Simply the Best was born after saying goodbye to my dog and best friend of 11 years, Gibbs – because he was – simply the best. I wanted a tangible reminder of him always with me, so I created the signature, a simple black onyx gemstone bracelet (which symbolizes protection and strength) with eleven spacers to signify his eleven years.

After that initial piece, I was excited about the future and wasted no time – I even wrote up a business plan while waiting for a flight home at the airport.

Once my flight landed, I kept dreaming and creating more jewelry.

I always knew it was very important to be inclusive with my sizing. Like clothes, jewelry needs a range of different sizes! I hated the experience of being worried about whether or not a bracelet may be too tight or wondering whether or not a necklace for a friend would be too short or too long on them because of “standard” sizing. With this in mind, all of our pieces are made in various sizes and can be made at any size upon request so that it fits perfectly.

Today, my business serves to share unique and meaningful designs with you and your loved ones. Because we believe you deserve – simply the best.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

For me, I decided that I wanted to be honest and true and have my business be an extension of who I am as a person. I wanted to share my story so others could not only learn about me, but to also maybe relate. This was honestly the best thing I ever did because I have met SO many incredible people along my journey. So many of my clients have turned into friends and all have turned into so many advocates for STB. It truly warms my heart more than I think they know. It also was NOT something that came natural to me. I am typically shy especially around new people. The thought of having to put myself out there to strangers was terrifying let alone talking to them! But I knew I needed to and I realized very early on that you had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I kept faking it as much as I needed to. I remember one big market I had my first year and internally I was freaking out and sweating. It was so busy which shocked me because I couldn’t believe they were there for ME. After, my mom said she couldn’t believe how confident and amazing I just did talking to so many people. I looked at her like she had three heads! Haha I told her I was on the verge of throwing up from nerves and anxiety but am VERY happy it did not come across that way lol.

I also knew that I wanted to be known as the person that put thought into each and every piece. That I was sourcing the best materials that would last and would be timeless. I really believe that everyone deserves something special and I try each day to do this.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That its ok to fail. That you actually have to fail. Failing helps you learn and if you are learning you are growing. So It is actually beneficial to fail. But it’s really hard to train your brain to do that because it feels unnatural and wrong. I have to remind myself of it constantly. And get out of my own way and my own head to accept that its ok. I have always been someone that loves to learn and that it is important to not stop learning. So why not learn from your failures? Learn and pivot and grow. That’s what it’s all about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simplythebestbynicole.com
• Instagram: @simplythebestbynicole
• Facebook: @simplythebestbynicole

Image Credits

Photos by: Branding by Elizabeth (@brandingbyelizabeth)