We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Chamberlain recently and have shared our conversation 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.

The word Urbane is a masculine adjective described as sophisticated, suave or worldly. My Grandpa Bob was suave. He was debonair in my eyes with his Grandpa hat, gold wrist watch and freshly pressed slacks. He was urbane. He is the why behind URBANE.

I’ve been obsessed with accessories since I was a child. I’d buy vintage jewelry, grab bags from thrift stores take the pieces apart and restyle them. I knew that I wanted to create a brand that would get people excited about bold jewelry and indulge in the art of dressing up.

At first I wasn’t positive there was a market for my design aesthetic and brand values of sustainability until I started selling my creations off of my neck to coworkers at Neiman Marcus. Then it clicked and I decided to host my first jewelry trunk show with the assistance of two friends in my old apartment complex’s community room. I had 10 people show up and all purchased something. PEOPLE SHOWED UP! I am still so grateful for this moment. This had work because I loved every minute of it!

The jewelry market is saturated in mass production. I believe the people drawn to my collections appreciate the boldness of the brand Urbane Cole. They now have access to one of a kind, ethically sourced gemstones and freaking unique pieces!

If I can make someone, ANYONE shine a little brighter with my jewels than that’s exactly what I’m going to do!

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?

Hello. I am Nicole Chamberlain, a sustainable jewelry designer located outside of Dallas, Texas. I create mostly one-of-a-kind pieces out of ethically-sourced gemstones and up cycled materials.

The creative process of taking trash and morphing it into treasured wearable art is most satisfying. I’m most proud of the growth in creativity that experience has provided. The ability to let go and just create freely is a gift.

My Spring “GRAFFITI” Collection will launch on March 31 via www.urbanecole.com. It’s inspired by a variation of genres with modern influences composed with up cycled denim, fabric paint and embellishments. The pieces are so colorful and eclectic. It’s a cool collection.

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

I had to come to believe that I am an artist. This was so difficult for me. I had to accept that being an artist is a God-given gift and that I can use it to bring light to others. Deep down I knew but fought it for a time.

I felt shame and like a disappointment because I chose artistry over becoming a lawyer. I was afraid to discover my worth, submit to the process and to work through the emotional yuck. The yuck held me back until I surrendered and consistently did the work.

I’m so thankful for God and the artistic people planted in my life. Together they helped guide me to acceptance of the self. Today I can humbly say with great gratitude that I am proud to be an artist.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I was taught how to create a client experience through my previous retail bosses, Penny and Suzann. They are strong women that knew how to lead, build and maintain community. It was effective because it didn’t feel like a strategy it was real and transparent. They kept it simple.

Be honest about who you are and what you’re selling, act with integrity and you’ll build a trustworthy relationship that creates loyalty and longevity.

If you’re real and authentic people know it. People want real. It’s the realness that keeps it flowing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.urbanecole.com
• Instagram: @urbanecole
• Facebook: Urbane Cole
• Linkedin: Nicole Chamberlain
• Twitter: Urbane Cole