Raise your hand if you’ve had a cool startup idea! 🙋🏻♀️
Well, ideas are a dime a dozen unless you can execute them, and Local Eclectic founder Alexis Nido-Russo explored countless concepts before dazzling the world with her women-founded and women-run jewelry business.
We chatted with the jewelry store entrepreneur to get the scoop on her startup story, ties to Miley Cyrus, her fave pieces, a viral collab with Amazon Prime’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, and her trend predictions for the rest of 2024.
MSA: Hi, Alexis! Tell us about your background.
ANR: I studied fine arts and psychology in college and originally thought I wanted to become an art therapist, but after graduating, I moved to Chicago and life led me down another path. I worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago Artists Coalition…I even designed catalogs for an X-ray manufacturing company and toured with Miley Cyrus before starting Local Eclectic.
I always knew I wanted to start a business and I originally spent a year writing a business plan for a nail salon concept (like Drybar), but once I realized I needed about a half million to start that business, I quickly changed course.
So, I explored other passions–namely, jewelry – which led me to kickstart Local Eclectic in 2013.
MSA: How did you come up with the idea for Local Eclectic?
ANR: I’ve always loved shopping at outdoor markets, craft fairs, and local boutiques when I’m traveling because they bring together the best indie jewelry and fashion designers from around the world.
I have a love for working with artists, women, and entrepreneurs, and this is where the idea for Local Eclectic was born. I wanted to bring this local feeling and artisanal shopping experience online in a really curated way!
Now, I get to introduce the world to one-of-a-kind ethical jewelry pieces and work with some of the most talented people ever.
MSA: Tell us about your viral collab with The Summer I Turned Pretty.
ANR: We were SO excited to design an exclusive collection of jewelry inspired by one of our favorite series, The Summer I Turned Pretty. We recreated some of Belly’s favorites like the silver infinity necklace and diamond star earrings. The collection went viral on TikTok — check it out here!
MSA: What are your all-time favorite Local Eclectic pieces?
ANR: We work with over 80 curated indie jewelry designers from all over the world and add new styles weekly, so my favorites change daily and our prices start at $45, so there’s a piece for every budget.
Here are five pieces I’m really loving right now:
- Solid Gold Anniversaire Charm ($70): There’s no better way to celebrate an anniversary than with a unique charm to commemorate the occasion. We have different charm styles for each year.
- Beaded Gemstone Necklace ($80): Whether layered or worn alone, these colorful necklaces are made from natural beads sourced from all over the globe—so each piece is totally unique and all you!
- Solid Gold Sparkle Link Chain ($129): A solid gold chain for under $150?! This is like the LBD of jewelry—it’s timeless and goes with everything.
- Solid Gold Simple Oblong Hoops ($150): Simplicity is key—you can’t go wrong with a pair of classic gold hoops.
- Bombe Diamond Ring ($2,200): One of my favorite designers, Charlie and Marcelle, designed this ring to resemble a vintage ring I found in Paris—and I think it’s way better than the original!
MSA: Lastly, let’s talk trends… What’s in and out for the rest of 2024?
ANR: At Local Eclectic, we're known for our incredible ability to spot trends and introduce new trends before they become mainstream. That being said, here’s a few I think are going to be major the rest of this year: Tennis necklaces, personalized charm necklaces, mixed metal jewelry, bold gold and silver jewelry are my top picks for the next few months. Colorful beaded necklaces were very big last summer and I expect those to pop this summer as well!
But fashion goes through cycles, so I don’t think anything ever truly goes out of style. It just hibernates until it’s cool again — or TikTok makes you buy it!
