“One day I’m going to be a dentist/Jewelry designer—that’s the dream,” admits Leila Hakim, letting out a charming giggle as she realizes the absurdity of her own statement. Though the combination is a bit bewildering, Leila has certainly proven herself so far in both her creative and scholastic abilities. When the second-year Bio major from Beverly Hills isn’t busy with her intensive course load, Leila manages her own business selling her handmade jewelry designs.
Leila Jewelry –as her business is named –sells a wide array of beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces made of high-quality 14 karat gold fill materials, embellished with vivid, eye-catching beads and a variety of statement-making gemstones – coral, black diamonds, “and I especially love turquoise and light blue agate,” says Leila.
Leila describes the overall aesthetic of her designs as “dainty and girly.” “It’s simple,” she tells me, “but it makes a statement.” This is evident in the seemingly effortless marriage of trendiness and timeless elegance in the necklaces, body chains, bracelets, and ringlets she designs for “confident, spontaneous, fun loving women of all ages”.
Of these bold, yet sophisticated pieces, Leila notes the simple gold bar bracelets and decadent crystal hand ringlets as her personal favorites, along with the newest body chains she has started making as per her friends’ requests. “A lot of the time, my friends will give me ideas [like body chains and ringlets], so a lot of my pieces end up being based on things that my friends tell me they want to see,” she explains. For Leila, friends have played big part inthe success and growth of her business venture.
While she first began making jewelry when her aunt taught her the craft at age 13, it wasn’t until her senior year of high school that Leila’s friends urged her to turn the hobby into an entrepreneurial project. “All of my friends really encouraged me. They all told me ‘If you start a business I’ll be your first customer!’” she laughs. “They were always giving me ideas.” So, with this support, Leila slowly started her own business. “And I’m so happy I did, because its really my passion” she adds.
“At first, I just had a Facebook page for Leila Jewelry, for likes and publicity,” she tells me. “If people knew me, they could order through me,” she explains. “Then, one of my friends asked me to be in a jewelry show fundraiser. That really got the word out about my designs,” she says. “And that was when I really started to love it and pursue it more. “
With the expansion of her network and intensified ambition, Leila’s old method of business became insufficient, prompting her to eventually create an online store on Etsy, which has allowed her to go from selling jewelry to her high school friends to selling her pieces to people all over the country. “I get orders from everywhere now,” she says. “At times, more than I can keep up with.”
While Leila attributes much of this growth in her business to her friends, who promote her designs through social media, ultimately Leila proudly takes credit for the success of her venture. “It’s all about following your passion and believing in what you sell,” she says. “If you believe in yourself and in your product, you will succeed,” she says. “People always ask me if I wear my own jewelry. Of course I wear my own jewelry!” She says emphatically. “The things I make and sell are things I love and want to wear.”
Leila, who describes her own personal style as “flowy and simple with ‘pops’ of color” says that she incorporates a lot of her own personal ideas and preferences into her designs, and constantly browses jewelry stores for ideas and inspiration. “I love Jacquie Aiche,” she says of one of her favorite jewelry designers. “I also love the jewelry in Planet Blue and other boutiques.”
One day, Leila tells me, she hopes her designs will be among those found in such upscale, trendy boutiques. Considering her firm confidence in her own product and her overall positive attitude, there is no doubt in my mind that this hope will become a reality.
Until then, her jewelry is available for sale on Etsy at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeilaJewelry
For more of Leila’s designs, take a look at @leilajewelry on Instagram and “like” Leila Jewelry on Facebook.