Dallas sisters Samantha Nicole DeVito and Taylor Leigh Kurz never intended to launch a business.
The creative duo began making jewelry as a hobby in 2015. When friends and family showed an interest in buying the pieces, the sisters realized they were on to something and launched Nicole Leigh Jewelry (a combination of their names) that same year.
"Never in a million years did we think we would be designing jewelry for a living," says Kurz. "But, man, is it fun. We've always had that innate eye for design, but it wasn't something we went to school for. We've had to put our business marketing degrees to good use."
The sisters' savvy paid off. In its first year, Nicole Leigh Jewelry was picked up by 10 retailers and now, four years later, the line is carried in more than 70 stores across the country.
The founders credit the quick success in part to their unique partnership as self-proclaimed "third-generation sibling business partners" — their father and uncle were business partners and so were their grandfather and great uncle — and in part to the brand's versatile and timeless aesthetic.
Each piece is designed with three words in mind: neutral, edgy, and layered. Presented in a neutral palette, the collection is made to be mixed and matched season after season, appealing to a wide range of aesthetics and ages.
"Our customers like that they are investing in pieces that they can wear for a while and not just put away at the end of the season," says DeVito. "We don't want to just follow what's trendy. We design what we love and aim to create collections that are different and at an approachable price point."
All Nicole Leigh Jewelry pieces retail for under $175 with most priced under $100. The collection is available online and at local boutiques including: Adeline, Blue Print, Cotton Island, Saint Bernard and Swoozie's.
All pieces are designed to be neutral, layered, and edgy to complement a range of styles.
