We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Smith Dickens. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Smith below.

Hi Smith, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I started my business in 2020 with the idea to create the perfect earring that was lightweight. I love to wear statement earrings but also have sensitive ears so it made it difficult to find the right combination. I decided I would take matters into my own hands and started to research and experiment with different materials and earring designing techniques. It was when I created the CITY GIRL JEWEL HOOP was when the business started to take off. The first hoop I created was just one size, a 1 1/4″ inch pink hoop with the classic detailed acrylic rhinestone setting. Once I realized everyone else loved the hoop as much as I did this is when we began to expand and grow our designs and pieces of unique jewelry.

Smith, 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?

A graduate from The University of Alabama, Smith Hinton Dickens started her career in the textile business working under the most established designers in the interior industry. She gained creative perspective and inspiration while working along side some of the most innovative designers across the country. Through her experience and true love for fashion she launched Smith and Co. Jewel Design in 2020, focusing on creating unique accessories inspired by the classics.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The key to every growing business is attentive customer service. I want the experience from beginning to end of buying our product to be seamless and having the customer feeling satisfied after every Smith and Co. purchase. We do a lot of wholesale business as well as online and regardless of who we are communicating with we always want to accomodate our customer to the best of our abilities. I believe having attentive customer service and creating relationships with our clientele is one of the reasons why they keep coming back to purchase our brand.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

My favorite quote ( which is a little cliche ) “Rome wasn’t built in a day” was a daily reminder when I started designing jewelry as my full time job. It is so easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others. Success doesn’t appear overnight and although it can be slow, organic growth is the most sustainable way to establish your business. If you find yourself in an industry or business opportunity that is new and unfamiliar to you, taking your time to understand the process will benefit you in the long term.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopsmithandco.com
• Instagram: smithandco.jeweldesign