Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Smyth.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hey! My name is Sarah Smyth and I’m the founder and creator of Raw & Rebellious. I started R&R the summer before my senior year at Auburn University (2016). I had just gotten back from studying abroad and was totally broke, and my waitressing job wasn’t cutting it. I couldn’t afford to buy jewelry for myself, so I made some and wore it to work, out with friends, etc. I got tons of compliments on the style and uniqueness of the necklaces that I made, and everyone wanted some. I reached out to a friend of mine that managed a local boutique where I’m from called Shoefly to see if they’d be interested in selling my necklaces. They had me bring in samples and purchased a few for their store. They asked me to post on my personal Instagram that I was selling jewelry, and from there, it began! I got tons of comments and dms from friends and strangers alike wanting to buy my necklaces. So when I got back to school, I made an Instagram account called “Sarah Smyth Designs” and used it as a platform to sell my handmade jewelry. It continued to slowly grow and I made necklaces between classes out of my college apartment until I graduated in May 2017. By the time I graduated, I had changed the name to Raw & Rebellious and after graduation, I made a website to sell my designs. I hired my first employees that summer, because as it continued to grow, it finally got to the point that I needed outside help. So I lived at home and traveled that summer and decided to make the move to Atlanta that August. I never thought in a million years that two year later I would have a 9 full time and part time employees and a full time career out of it. As far as how I came this far, I don’t know if there’s really a concrete answer. I work pretty much round the clock, I network a ton and use any connections I can think of, and I have incredible support from my family and friends. Since I started R&R when I was in college, I think being in a sorority and knowing so many people at Auburn and other SEC schools also helped me to grow. It’s all about just doing what you love and really giving it your all. I couldn’t be happier with where we are as a company and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was very lucky in the way that I didn’t have the initial struggles a lot of startup companies deal with. In the first few months or years of any small business, there’s a lot of financial risk and struggle because you’re funding something yourself that people may or may not be interested in consuming. When I started making jewelry, I made it purely on a demand basis. I would take orders from Instagram and friends, then I would buy the exact amount of material I needed to make the necklaces, and I would sell them! As I’ve grown, I’ve made necessary adjustments and growth has happened completely organically, so it’s allowed me to gradually change the way I do business and change with my company. So I would definitely say I’m lucky in that respect, however it has been far from a smooth road. I graduated with a double major in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies and Spanish with goals to be a bilingual Occupational Therapist. I had zero training or prior knowledge in anything business, accounting, or fashion related. I remember when I sold jewelry to the first store back in 2016, they asked me for an invoice and I had to ask my friends what an invoice even was! Needless to say, I’ve had to learn A LOT in the last two years and I’m very lucky to have so many supportive friends and family with valuable knowledge teach me so much. When R&R started snowballing and growing my second semester at college that was also a big struggle for me. I was a full time student in my senior year and I wanted to soak up every second of my last year at Auburn. I was still making necklaces on my own and my friends and I would hang out and go out almost every night, so finding a balance in work, play, my health, and my schooling was impossible. I pretty much put myself on the back burner; I would go to class all day, go out with friends, then set alarms for 5 and 6 am the next morning to wake up and make necklaces before class the next day. I was stressed beyond belief and my mental health and sleeping habits definitely took a dive. R&R was my baby, so asking for help seemed scary and out of the question. When I graduated and finally started paying people to help me make necklaces, it was such a relief! Without my employees, there is now way I would have found the time to grow like I have. Another thing I used to struggle with is girls copying my designs. I created my necklaces and continue to design my jewelry on my own, and seeing so many girls out there blatantly copy my creations and ideas is really hard. In a world where uniqueness is so sought after and valuable, it baffles me that people are so quick to imitate rather than create something of their own. It used to really upset me, but I have since decided to shift my focus to myself and try and continue to grow as a name and a brand that people trust and want to continue to shop with.
Owning your own business, as one might imagine, is also hard and rewarding in a much different way than a 9-5 job. When most people get off work, they come home and don’t think about it until the next day. For me, the work really never stops. I work most days and nights and am constantly taking calls, answering messages, planning, designing, networking, and brainstorming. However, I wouldn’t trade a second of it! Building something that is truly your own and watching it flourish is the best reward of all, and totally makes everything worthwhile. My advice to young women wanting to start their own business or exploring ideas about their future is what’s stopping you?? Think about what you love, what you’re passionate about, what makes you happy, what you want to change in the world, and go from there. Then, brainstorm ways to turn your passions into some kind of money making job! Ask for help, use the people and connections around you, and don’t be afraid to fail. Social media is such an incredible tool and no doubt how I’ve grown so much. It really does allow anyone to start a business and create and showcase anything! So I say go for it ladies!!
Please tell us about Raw & Rebellious.
So now that we’ve grown so much, what I focus on is the management of my employees, the social media, the designing, and the creative side of everything from jewelry to photoshoots and everything in between. I strive to create unique designs and styles that can be worn by pretty much anyone at any age! I also do a lot with layering and combining two or more necklaces to make a one of a kind looks, which I think is what I am most known for as it wasn’t really done until I started doing it.
As a brand and a company, I never wanted to just be a business that sells jewelry. Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for people with special needs and have volunteered with countless camps and organizations. I also love helping people and giving back, so I didn’t want too deep in the fashion world and forget what makes me happy and what leaves me feeling fulfilled. With such a large social media platform, I wanted to use that to my advantage and spread messages and support charities that I feel passionate about. My biggest mission at the moment is promoting inclusion. In society today, although we have made leaps and bounds in equal rights for people with disabilities, I still think socially we have a long way to go. People are people, regardless of where there from, what the look like, add how they live. PWD (ppl w disabilities) are still negatively stigmatized and not equal in the eyes of our society. I think one way to affect change in that is including girls with disabilities as models in my photoshoots and campaigns. I don’t emphasize or even acknowledge the fact that there is any difference between them and models without disabilities (because there isn’t any difference) and by including them and making them feel special and beautiful, I think it shows people that we are all equal and should be included and all given the same opportunities. So that is something that I have done in the past and will continue to do. I also donate to tons of charities and am always asking my customers to send me charity that they are passionate about that we can make donations towards. So with my optioned growth, I just hope I can continue to affect positive change in the world, and I want my customers to know that when they shop with me, they’re shopping with more than just a jewelry company. They’re shopping with Raw & Rebellious, a business trying to make a difference, lend a helping hand, and take a stand for what it believes in.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think my generation is blessed with the times we are in now. Yes, things still aren’t totally equal with men and women, but at least it is a highly publicized conversation. Now more than ever the spotlight is on women and through the media, social media and celebrities alike, we are given a voice and opportunity to show the world we’re done taking men’s sh** and were ready to show em what we’ve got. I don’t think women are particularly well positioned for certain things. I think we are capable of anything that anyone else is capable of! I’m proud to be a woman and a business owner, but I don’t think that doing this as a girl should make it any more impressive than me doing this as a man. I work my booty off and try my best with what I have, as I think anyone would do. But I’m all about girl power!!
Contact Info:
- Address: Atlanta, GA
- Website: www.rawrebellious@gmail.com
- Phone: 2563480329
- Email: rawrebellious@gmail,com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/raw_rebellious
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rawrebellious/
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