Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Jennifer Meyer
COOL. CALM & TOTALLY KICKASS.
"You know when it’s a Jen Meyer piece. Her pieces have an identity.” So says stylist Karla Welch of jewelry designer Jen Meyer. A top-seller at luxe stores like Barney's New York, there is no mistaking when someone is rocking a Jennifer Meyer piece. Whether that someone is Jennifer Aniston or Gwyneth Paltrow, both of whom support the designer who has been hard at work since 2005 when she launched her jewelry line.
Now over a decade later, she remains Hollywood's go-to red carpet jewelry designer as well as the designer women look to for casual, every day jewelry. Her versatility and ease is part of her charm. And it doesn't hurt that she's always rocking her own pieces-- she believes in them. It's the kind of jewelry you can wear on a first date. The kind of jewelry you can sleep in. Something you'd be proud to gift a friend.
Kind, smart, creative, and opening her first boutique in LA... read more below.
In addition to being one of THR's top 20 red carpet designers this year, you have two kids. You're busy. Is that why you haven't watched a show since Sex and the City?
I haven’t watched a show since Sex and the City, until Big Little Lies. I’m obsessed with Big Little Lies and I think the next show I will watch will be Reese and Jen’s new project because I love them both so much!
What's your secret sauce to getting it all done and doing it well?
It’s all about balance! I have an amazing family, support system and an awesome team at work! It’s important to prioritize each day. What needs that little bit of extra attention? Is it work? Kids? A best friend? You stop and concentrate on the things that need it most.
What's your biggest pet peeve?
I have to say dishonesty and cattiness. Nothing is more important to me than being honest and supportive of one another – in all aspects of my life.
What would you consider your superpower?
As a mom of two, a CEO and someone who loves margaritas with her friends, I shock myself how well I function on such little sleep!
When you run into a career obstacle, what drives you forward?
I look at obstacles as learning experiences. I always try to take my time and assess the situation and respond with a clear head. What drives me forward is knowing where there’s a problem, there’s a solution.
Speaking of superpowers, if you had to build an apocalypse team of 5, who would be on it and why?
My dad – he always knows what to do and say. My kids Ruby and Otis – of course, I can’t live without them! My two favorite Sara(h)’s: Sara Foster and my sister Sarah Meyer – for moral and comedic support and the balance they bring to my life. And probably Nobu Matsuhisa – for the best sushi… we gotta eat!
Not to go too dark, but who would be the last one standing?
This is the ultimate team – we would all stand together. No one would be left behind!
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Let's go back to biz. What's been the most challenging part of running a company with your name attached to it?
As the company grew, I had to let go of being involved in every single moment and decision, but lucky for me I have an incredible team behind me that represents the brand beautifully.
What would you like people to know about your job and day-to-day that they might not know?
I love that I get to start my day by taking my kids to school and end it with family dinner. In between, I collaborate with my amazing team, have business meetings, attend important events, and have weekly taco dates with my girlfriends. I have a lot of balls in the air and somehow manage not to drop too many. My kids remind me when I start the day and end the day that I have everything in the world to be grateful for. I try and remind myself, and those around me, that your day to day attitude determines the outcome of it all!
Any other exciting projects you're working on that you can tell us about?
Yes! I’m so excited to be designing and opening my first boutique in Los Angeles. It’s always been a dream of mine and watching it actually happen is beyond exciting. I finally feel like I’m giving my jewelry a home.
How do you continue to engage the Jennifer Meyer Jewelry audience in this digital age?
Social media is key, which is no surprise! I love to oversee our Instagram, so my team and I come up with all of our content. I find it really important in this age of social media to be authentic, and I think my audience is savvy and able to tell the difference. I’m just as excited to post a great earring shot, as I am a picture of my best friends. It’s all part of the brand. It’s me. It's my life. When you see me and my friends, my family, my quotes, etc… that comes straight from the heart and is exactly what I want to share at the time.
As someone who grew up in LA before the dawn of IG. Do you feel like you understand digital and social media well?
I’m learning something new every day! Lucky for me, I have smart, young awesome people on my team that know a lot more about digital and social media than I do – they give me lots of tips!
What's your favorite piece of biz advice you've ever received?
Be kind always. And my dad has always said to me: “Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups”
What's a piece of biz advice you ignored, but you kinda wish you hadn't?
I never ignore good advice!
Photo Credit: @davisfactor
Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai