Amy Peterson and Diana Russell are set to launch a business that is focused on not only making a profit but empowering others to do so, too.
Rebel Nell describes itself as a low-profit limited liability company that "makes jewelry using unique local resources like graffiti" on its Facebook page. The Midtown-based business adds that its "focus is to employ, educate, and empower disadvantaged women in Detroit."
Peterson got her start in the jewelry-making business as a side gig while going through law school in Boston. Her jewelry helped raise awareness about Rwanda at the same time the movie "
Hotel Rwanda" came out with part of the proceeds from the sales going to a nonprofit focused on helping the African country.
"I loved the idea of doing something positive with the jewelry," Peterson says.
She wants to translate that success to Detroit and is making a go of it with her friend and business partner Russell. The business launched Rebel Nell in March and are focusing on making pendants, bracelets, cuff links and the like from old pieces of graffiti that have flaked off after years of exposure to the elements.
"It's hard to describe but when you see it it's almost like a fossil," Russell says.
Rebel Nell recently won The Spirit of Social Entrepreneurship Award at the
Pure Michigan Social Entrepreneurship Challenge. It won the award "for its embodiment of the vision, commitment and tenacity present in the best social entrepreneurs around the world." The company is working out financing and hopes to begin production this fall with an eye on releasing its products in time for the holiday shopping season.
Source: Amy Peterson and Diana Russell, co-founders of Rebel Nell
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.