Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Rooney.
Kelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born into a very international family.
My mom is Mexican, my dad is Irish by nationality but born and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and I was born in Mexico. I was raised in Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay, and Bolivia, and grew up traveling for fun, business and family.
I have always been passionate about fashion, business and helping others.
I have been working on several of my own business projects throughout the years, and each one reached a point where it was no longer viable for me and I moved on to the next.
I feel like every single one of those projects led me to start Josephine Alexander Collective.
I can’t say that there was a specific beginning, it was kind of a piece of paint I kept picking at until it uncovered this whole monster that grew and took a life of its own.
I planned a trip to Mexico and to Peru during this time and started gathering my samples and thoughts and within three months, JAC was launched.
The artisans I have met and worked with are such wonderful people, and I love being able to support them and their talents. It is such an honor to work with them, and so heartwarming to be able to help improve their lives.
Has it been a smooth road?
Like any business, there were kinks to figure out and mistakes that were made, and continue to be made, however, I feel they make it so much more exciting when things go well.
I count every tiny achievement as a major one, and I see every set back as a lesson.
Dealing with artisans is a little tricky in the sense that many things are lost in translation.
Ordering and receiving have been a learning curve as they are so used to making one-offs. They play with the same colors yet make every item different and one of a kind. Receiving 20 earrings in the same colors but completely different from each other makes conventional selling a challenge, but has shaped my business. I embrace the uniqueness and difference in each piece and use it to my advantage.
Customs was a challenge at first, and the importing system is complicated and takes some time to learn, but I’m getting much better at it!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Josephine Alexander Collective – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Thank you so much. Josephine Alexander Collective is a line of fashion accessories handmade by artisans in different countries.We launched with Mexico and Peru but are actively looking into expansion.
Our pieces are one of a kind and limited edition as they are all handmade. I find pieces during my travels and then curate my favorites. I then work with the artisans who create them to refine them and edit them to become more in line with my brand and my vision.
I develop relationships with my artisans and they are paid fair asking price for their pieces. I love working with them, but mostly I love knowing that I have made a significant impact on their lives. My goal as a company is that they become part of my full-time team and I am able to provide them with fair and stable income.
JAC designs are cruelty-free and use recycled and compostable materials for packaging and shipping. We love our people, our animals, and our Earth, and work hard to keep our impact heavy and our footprint light.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity of Florida. I love that people come from all over the world and the country and you never know who you will run into.
I love that you can be in Juno Beach for a chill flip flop kind of breakfast, on Palm Beach for an upscale lunch and in SoBe for a fun-filled night on the town all in the same day.
The traffic is my least favorite. The diversity that makes us so great is what makes us worst on the road. No one ever seems to know where they’re going!
Contact Info:
- Address: 790 Juno Ocean Walk Ste 201C
(By appointment only) - Website: Www.josephinealexander.com
- Email: collective@josephinealexander.com
- Instagram: @josephinealexandercollective
- Facebook: @josephinealexandercollective
- Twitter: @josiecollective
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
