Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alissa Moyse. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alissa, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

Starting Casual Carats™ is definitely the most innovative thing I’ve done in my career. I come from a long line of jewelers in Houston and when I decided to leave the family business and venture out on my own it was one of the most incredible and terrifying moments in my life and my career. I had worked in the jewelry industry my entire life, not just my adult or professional life and to do something so different and unique was scary. When I identified the problem in our industry that eventually led me to found Casual Carats™, I didn’t know what people would think but it has been the best risk I could have ever taken. We took a product –silicone rings– that thousands of people wear every day and we made it better. We are constantly trying to find ways to innovate not only our industry but our products so that we’re providing our customers with the best possible rings, bracelets, watch bands, and more.

Alissa, 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?

After wearing one of those plain silicone rings to a workout class I decided that I’d like to see a little more bling in my everyday routine. So I got to work and using my almost 15 years of experience in the jewelry industry, I created rings with natural diamonds and gemstones embedded in silicone bands. Thus, in April 2019 Casual Carats™ was born. As I mentioned previously, I come from a long line of highly-regarded Houston jewelers, but I was so excited to offer customers something that hadn’t been done before.

Casual Carats™ allows customers to have fun with their rings by offering an array of silicone color options, as well as a wide selection of stones. Whether you’re wanting to keep it classy with a diamond or spice it up a bit with an emerald or amethyst, Casual Carats™ has every option to match your personality. After seeing demand grow for our rings, we eventually expanded the Casual Carats™ line to offer multi-stone and symbol rings, as well as smartwatch bands for Apple watches, bracelets, and more. Whether it’s a stay-at-home mom, a professional athlete, a doctor, or a chef, we have offerings to help match every person’s mood and style. Plus, our stackable band options allow wearers even more styling capabilities so they can model a different look every day of the week.

By using high-grade silicone, 14K gold, and ethically-sourced natural diamonds and gemstones, we’re able to offer customers luxury at an affordable price point. We also offer custom creations and designs for our rings and bracelets, allowing customers the opportunity to personalize their accessories even further. At Casual Carats™, we are on a mission to elevate everyday accessories with approachable, wearable, and affordable designs.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

We went through a lot of trial and error when it came to our initial product offering. We had to make sure we were using not only quality materials but that the ring was functional and stable. I eventually was able to develop a method that gave the gemstone sturdiness while keeping the band flexible and comfortable. Our biggest hurdle and concern was, of course, keeping the stone in place in the silicone band but once we got our method down we were able to move forward. Since I have worked in the jewelry industry my whole life I had the gemstone sources, however, I had to do a lot of research when it came to the silicone bands. But eventually, we found a supplier that was able to give us what we needed.

While we have great products, we are always looking to improve and innovate, which is why we are always on the hunt for something better. When you’re a brand that makes and sells a physical product, I believe you can never settle and you always need to be looking for how you can enhance your product and your business. At the end of the day, you want to be able to provide your customer with the best ring, bracelet, or watch band possible. At Casual Carats™, we not only want to make sure the product looks great and is comfortable to wear but that it’s also going to last – and at the end of the day, that comes down to materials and manufacturing.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

When I founded Casual Carats™, I was still working full-time at my family’s jewelry store in Houston. I knew I wanted to venture out on my own but I also knew that it would take some time until I could fully commit to the brand. So for years, I poured all my extra time into this new business. Looking back, I’m not sure how I managed it all. As a wife and a mom of three, it kind of amazes me that I was able to do it all. But slowly and surely, Casual Carats™ began gaining traction and accumulated more customers. We expanded our offerings and pushed our business into wholesale in addition to e-commerce. After over two years of doing Casual Carats™ on the side, I made the decision in August 2021 to leave my job and invest in Casual Carats™ full-time. It was a big leap for me but it’s one that I’m glad I made.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.casualcarats.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casualcaratsjewelry

Image Credits
Casual Carats™