We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jo Anne Vincent a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jo Anne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

About 15 years ago I decided to start a business. I have a friend who had a jewelry store for 18 years – we are best friends ! IWe used to go to shows with her and her husband – gem and rock shows – Detroit, Franklin,N.C., Tucson, Az.
I loved all the stones and gems ! I had seen in San Francisco a larger Old Turquoise necklace – it was so expensive( I didnt buy it) however at the gem shows I saw all the beads and decided to make one myself. – that is how it all began.
I started designing and my children said “you need to sell online, you need to be on Etsy etc. etc. ” I did try it several times but with frustration always ! Each piece measured and described and wrapped up and shipping calculations – yikes !! Selling online wasn”t for me !
Then they said “you need a website…i tried for a name – JVincent…taken, vincentJ…taken, JoAnneV…taken
I thought and thought and decided on something completely different and maybe a little classy …ITALIANO and yes I am 52% Italian !.

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?

I think the the core of my business is my design and the uniqueness of each piece – esp the necklaces. I have always had a love of color from my clothing as a child to all the gifts I made my friends (yes in high school I had a light blue wool sleeveless dress with a Kelly Green monogram and a Kelly Green coat to match !)
I tell my customers – designing for me is like “making a cake” – there are several components that I gather from several places and thats where I start my design. I may choose Amber and then Oxidized Silver to create an antique look, Baroque Perls and Swarovski Crystal for an elegant look or Hand Blown Glass and Leather cord for a casual look.
One of my fav assignments is what I call “Jewelry Homework”
customer: ” I need a a fancy necklace for a black dress – I love red and would like it to sparkle” – for these requests I am absolutely up for the challenge !!
Again – the ITALIANO ” brand is that esp for necklaces “You will NOT see another one like it !”

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

I grew up in a family of 7 – there was always love, sharing and caring. These were the values of my faith and my parents. I was taught to give back to the community with resources ,volunteering and and my 2 hands. This commitment to community continued through raising my family, with my husband Jon of 52 years .We have 3 awesome children – James, Jesse & Jenny. They all have wonderful careers but I feel most proud of having raised them with empathy for their neighbor.
As a public school teacher for 30 years (Art & Kindergarten) I of course I used my creative genes tenfold – I loved every minute – well not the meetings !! I was involved in the community here also -active in bringing arts into the school – ballet, music etc. we also campaigned for the levys and fought for the right to be heard at board meetings when issues needed to be resolved.
Having been retired from teaching I continue to volunteer at church, for political campaigns, for Art Organizations including We Care Arts – classes for adults – empowering healing thru art

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

I think the quality but most of all the beauty and uniqueness of each piece. I have many repeat customers. Some customers say they like to just look at all the amazing pieces on display – and yes DISPLAY is very important to me – I have black clothes to show off the pieces Sheers in the corners and front – 2 tier stands the length of the tables with black velvet busts and stand alone suede flat platforms for display. Many times the average customer remarks – did you just say you wanted to be in the show and “set up a table” !!

well the process starts in January – we visit trade shows sometimes lucky enough to make a trip to the Worlds Largest Gem Show – Tucson in February – I design at least 5 pieces – all have to be very interesting and eye catching, March – I photograph ea piece, April, is time to measure, describe, price title and upload ea photo – then with that info fill out an app online and send in usually $35 that i will not get back, April – wait to hear if i was accepted then send in the show fee.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: italianoj
• Facebook: italianobyjv