We recently connected with Candace Richardson and have shared our conversation below.

Candace , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

I’d been laid off unexpectedly and it completely threw my life into a tailspin. The company was a startup in a related field to my own and their humble beginnings helped me see deeper into my own ambitions. It was an e-commerce company which operated mainly through instagram. Being a relatively new company, I was essentially in on the ground floor and truly felt I was helping build the company. I traveled with the brand, contributed original ideas, and did my job with competence. I truly felt apart of something… until one day, with little to no warning, I was told I was being let go. Due to financial hardships the owners decided they could no longer afford my position. It was here I learned a valuable lesson. Emotional investment matters little if you do not have ownership. Why invest your time in to something  that does not belong to you- something that can be taken away from you at any moment. That investment was better spent on one self and my own creation- hence the creation of Rich Pearl.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Candace Richardson, and I am the owner and founder of Rich Pearl- a curated luxury vintage + contemporary fashion brand, established in Baltimore, Maryland and currently based in Atlanta, GA.

Fashion, art, and design has always had a big influence within my family. I was introduced to vintage shopping and the art of reselling through my mom. At a young age she brought me along with her to stores where one could find unique pieces at amazing deals. She taught me how to spot value where others may have overlooked, and the art of vintage shopping matured into a passion for me. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset and dreamed of having my own company one day doing what I love.

Rich Pearl services the client who wants to find unique and quality clothing without the hassle of paying retail prices or combing through the racks at their local thrift stores. All items are carefully curated and handpicked by myself. Lots of time, attention to detail, and research is put into sourcing items for the Rich Pearl inventory. My top priority is to provide quality and timeless pieces that clients can have in their wardrobe for years to come. The name, Rich Pearl derives from my 99 year old grandmother Pearl and an abbreviation of my last name, being Richardson. When I researched the meaning of my grandmother’s name I thought it was the perfect fit for the brand. “Pearl; a person or thing of great rarity and worth“.

I am most proud of the continuous support from people around the world who have been following along the journey of my business. Not many know but I started in my parents basement using only the resources at my disposal: my friends, a computer, an iPhone, some items to start off selling, and most importantly a vision. I spent countless hours mapping out my business plan to get Rich Pearl off the ground and running.

Although Ive been running the business for 3 years now, Im still learning and figuring out ways to keep scaling the business. The journey has not been an easy one, but I am grateful for the experience and so happy I began when I did versus harboring my dream for years. There have been tough times but they’ve only molded me into the entrepreneur I am today.

Ultimately I want all future patrons to know that when you choose to shop Rich Pearl you’re exuding your own rarity and worth as you’ve paired yourself with an item that is seldom seen, sustainable, and timeless within its taste.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When it comes to my marketing efforts on social media, I try to leave no stone unturned. Of course we all know that the key word is content, content, content. I capture content in any and every instance in which I find applicable to furthering the brand of Rich Pearl. For instance, I’m very active in doing live pop ups and then capturing the satisfaction of a happy customer on camera, sporting their Rich Pearl piece and our branded shopping bags. Scenes such as this, that feature real people in real life in real time make for a visceral feeling when you come across the Rich Pearl page. We’re “outside”, as the kids like to say (lol). I’ve also applied my own sense of creative direction and organized photo shoots that help people feel the lifestyle associated with Rich Pearl. Anything to communicate the feel and texture of the brand- the personality behind it. I also advise aspiring entrepreneurs to become savy with the tools at their disposal like Canva. You’d be amazed at how far a little homegrown graphic design can take you.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Consistency within quality. My keen eye is unwavering when curating collections. Our following is growing and they know they can come here for rare finds at reasonable prices. We’re a best kept secret for a those that know…

Contact Info:

• Website: richpearl.us
• Instagram: @therichpearl
• Facebook: @therichpearl