We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marianne Hovakimyan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marianne below.
Alright, Marianne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
MARIHOVA is more than just a company name — it’s a reflection of identity, purpose, and legacy. The name is a blend of the first four letters of my first and last name: MARI (from Marianne) and HOVA, a unique portion of my surname. By combining these parts, MARIHOVA becomes a signature — a personal stamp on everything the brand stands for.
This name carries my vision, values, and creativity. It’s a celebration of individuality, authenticity, and passion. Every detail in MARIHOVA — from the products to the experience — reflects who I am and what I love: elegance, intention, and a meaningful connection with people.
MARIHOVA is not just a brand. It’s me — infused into everything I create and share.
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.
I’m Marianne, the founder and creator behind MARIHOVA — a name that combines the first four letters of my first and last name, representing both my identity and my passion.
I was born in Yerevan, Armenia, and moved to Los Angeles with my family in 1995. My parents came to this country over 35 years ago to build a better life, and I’m incredibly proud to be the daughter of immigrants. My father, an Armenian jeweler, opened a jewelry store shortly after we settled in L.A., and I grew up surrounded by the sparkle of fine craftsmanship and the pride that comes with creating something meaningful with your hands.
Though I took a different path at first — becoming a hairstylist and spending over a decade in the beauty industry — jewelry was always in my heart. After nearly 30 successful years in business, my father retired. Not long after, the world was hit by the pandemic, and the salon I worked at closed its doors. That shift pushed me to pause, reflect, and ultimately return to my roots.
That’s how MARIHOVA was born — out of a deep desire to carry on the legacy my father started, but with my own unique touch.
From as far back as I can remember, I’ve had an intense love for jewelry design. Now, every piece in my collection is custom-made and handcrafted by me, designed with intention and guided by your vision. I listen carefully to what my clients want and combine that with my own sense of style and detail.
This is truly a one-woman show, and I take pride in being hands-on through every step — from sketching to assembling. I care deeply about the people I create for, and I go above and beyond to make sure every order is perfect. Sometimes, that even means hand-delivering pieces to make sure they arrive on time and in perfect condition. That’s how much I love what I do — and how much I value the trust my clients place in me.
MARIHOVA isn’t just jewelry. It’s heritage, it’s heart, and it’s handcrafted for you.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Starting MARIHOVA wasn’t something I took lightly — it was a leap of faith, fueled by passion, grit, and everything I had. I didn’t have investors, business loans, or outside backing. I funded this business entirely on my own, using my personal savings.
Every tool, every gemstone, every bit of packaging — I paid for it with money I had set aside over the years. It was important to me that this dream be built from the ground up, with intention and integrity. I wanted MARIHOVA to be rooted in something real: hard work, sacrifice, and belief in myself.
When I handcraft a piece of jewelry, you’re not just getting something beautiful — you’re getting a piece of my story, my journey, and my heart. And that’s something no amount of outside funding could ever buy.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that doing it on my own wasn’t easy — but it’s exactly what made me strong.
When I started MARIHOVA, I thought passion alone would carry me through. And while passion is a big part of it, I quickly learned that building a business from the ground up takes so much more — resilience, sacrifice, late nights, and endless problem-solving. There were moments of doubt, days I questioned if I was doing the right thing, and times when business felt uncertain.
But I’ve learned to ride the highs and lows and stay focused on my purpose. The ups and downs are part of the process — they don’t define me, but they have definitely shaped me.
I’m proud to say I haven’t given up, and I won’t. Every challenge has taught me something valuable. Every setback has made me sharper. And every single order, kind message, or returning client reminds me why I started.
This is more than a business — it’s my journey, my strength, and my story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marihova.com
- Instagram: @marihova
Image Credits
Armine Khachatryan
IG handle @armine_photo