Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Pierce. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Heritage Designs was born from a sense of pride in local heritage and a search for high quality materials to showcase those roots. We offer both jewelry and knives; unique creations from a husband-and-wife team. While this endeavor began as an idea, and possibly just a creative outlet, it has evolved into a small business that focuses on giving back.
My name is Rachel, and I was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan. Our community is unlike anything you’ve seen before; we are a small-town, close-knit family that is extremely proud of our heritage. So proud that we wear the symbol of the U.P. on everything – shirts, decals, hats, tattoos, and most of all, jewelry.
The creation of Heritage Designs started with my own hunger for individuality. The frustration for me was that most of the U.P. jewelry I owned showcasing my heritage was either the same as everyone else’s or it was made of sterling, which as we all know, tarnishes and doesn’t last. Being a creator, I wanted to invent something new, something different, and something made of superior materials that would last for generations. I started designing my own jewelry collection; a collection of stacking rings that are exquisitely unique, versatile, durable, and elegant.
My jewelry is made of 14 karat gold and is completely customizable to represent your favorite and most memorable features of the community. You can mix and match bands to your liking, connecting them together like a puzzle, resulting in a set as unique as you are. I offer diamonds to represent the crystalline snow and stars, and sapphires to represent the great lakes.
Now you may be wondering how knives became involved in a jewelry business. The knives have a very special story that deserves its own attention. My husband, Adam, served in the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Being a military veteran, finding purpose after deployment was challenging, especially for those living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other disabilities. Adam found purpose in creating knives; knives that told his story through artistic design. Realizing his potential, we incorporated his designs into our vendor shows. We now had a jewelry and knife business.
Our knives, like our jewelry, are truly unique. The knives are handmade using 50 cal. shells that were actually used in the military, and reused to create a truly one-of-a-kind knife. The knives are available in a variety of blades, including USA-made Damascus and stainless steel. Finished with a handmade sheath made from Kydex, the knives are excellent conversation pieces that are not only excellent gifts, but ones that tell a story. When you choose one of our knives, you are not just purchasing a knife; you are supporting a veteran’s passion and craftsmanship. Each purchase helps Adam continue to serve in a different way.
Above all else, the most rewarding part of our business is how we give back to our communities. Sharing our jewelry designs through giveaways and gifting keeps our engagement exciting. Most importantly, we strive to support our military veterans through various events, including fundraising campaigns focused on supporting veterans living with trauma. We are regularly involved in veteran support organizations and events, and frequently donate knives to various causes.
Rachel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
What sets us apart from other jewelry and knife companies is the story behind our products, as well as the exclusivity of our designs. Each product, whether it is a stackable jewelry set or a Damascus blade, has sentimentality behind each handmade design.
This sentimentality is what makes our company different; the chance to connect to our customers makes Heritage Designs not just a business, but the chance to be part of someone else’s story. A favorite experience of mine is when I met a woman at a local show whose husband recently passed away. She saw our Lake Superior North Shore ring and instantly broke into tears. She said the diamonds on the band traveled up to where her husband’s hometown was on the lake. It was such a moving interaction, and I was proud to be part of her efforts to honor him. Other favorite moments are when our knives are purchased to celebrate veterans. Many customers see our knives and instantly gravitate to a certain military branch design, or the 50 cal. shell handle, and purchase it as a gift for the veteran in their life. A perfect gift to reflect a veteran’s strength and resiliency. Each purchase is a reminder of the soldiers among us, and those that support them.
The exclusivity of our designs also differentiates us. Once I started designing my stacking rings, I knew I was on to something truly unique, so to protect my creation I filed my first design patent. It was definitely a learning experience, and I am proud to announce my patent was approved in December 2023, making my designs exclusive to Heritage Designs!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Being seen has proven to be the most effective strategy to growing our clientele. By attending various vendor events, customers get to know us, and see and feel our products. Consistency in being seen has established us as a reputable, real, and genuine small business that strives to know our customers on a personal level. Coupled with social media, we have achieved a stable following. Seeing repeat customers at shows that want to show off their customized jewelry set, or tell us a story about gifting their knife to a fellow veteran, is the most rewarding part of our business. We love building those relationships, and keeping in touch via Facebook and Instagram.
Our dedication to giving back also builds trust in our clientele, which enables growth. We regularly host giveaways on our Facebook page, whether that is gifting jewelry to the community, or hosting knife raffles to raise funds for veterans. This has helped us build our clientele online while supporting charitable causes.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
In combination with being seen on a consistent basis, we also focus on listening to our customers, and building reputable relationships with them. As I continued marketing my product and attending various vendor events, I was excited to learn that not only did my jewelry speak to those living in or who have visited Michigan, the artistic designs were being interpreted uniquely to each customer. Many saw the creations as something sentimental to them, such as a local mountain range, or a river running through their backyard. Each customer had their own perception of what the design meant, and with the customization of various golds, stones, and shapes, they could create a jewelry set that spoke to what mattered to them. I also started creating Minnesota-themed jewelry based on customer demand, capturing the same unique styles as my other stackables. Expanding into the hearts of other communities was rewarding, knowing that I was creating pieces that captured sentimental pride in each individual’s heritage. Hearing personal stories from customers and learning what matters most to them brings our relationships from business to personal, resulting in reputation, legitimacy, and value.
If you are looking for a unique, sentimental, and elegant gift that captures your roots, Heritage Designs Jewelry & Knives offers something for everyone. Whether that’s showcasing your heritage through customized jewelry, or honoring a veteran’s journey; we can’t wait to be part of your story.
heritagedesignsjewelry.com
heritagedesignsknives.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heritagedesignsjewelry.com and heritagedesignsknives.com
- Instagram: heritagedesignsjewelry
- Facebook: Heritage Designs Jewelry & Knives
Image Credits
Authentic Grace Photography + Films