Meet Nikki Smith | Owner, Nikki Smith Designs

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It all started organically—I was creating jewelry to wear to my corporate buying job, simply because I couldn’t find pieces that felt modern, affordble and wearable every day. People constantly complimented my designs and asked where they could buy them, which made me so excited- so I kept creating! Soon I was setting up at pop-up shops, realizing there was a real demand for affordable, stylish jewelry. That inspired me to take the leap and turn my passion into a full-time business after doing it part time for many years.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am proud that over time we saw a real gap in the jewelry market—affordable jewelry that could actually last. Most people associate lower jewelry price points with pieces that tarnish quickly, and we knew there had to be a better solution. By leaning into waterproof, everyday layerable designs, we’ve carved out a space in a saturated industry by solving a common problem. It’s been incredibly rewarding to offer jewelry that’s both stylish and durable, giving customers pieces they can truly wear nonstop at a price that doesn’t break the bank!

We’ve also carved out our space in experiential retail through our custom charm bar and permanent jewelry offerings. During challenging times in retail, these in-store experiences have given customers a reason to walk through our doors—creating special, lasting pieces often bringing in groups of friends and family.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the best ways to experience Dallas is by spending a morning at the Dallas Farmers Market—a vibrant spot filled with local vendors, fresh produce, artisan goods, and the perfect weekend vibe! This is where our first store is located, and th perfect place to make charm necklaces or get permanent jewlery together!

I would also head over to Lower Greenville Avenue for an afternoon of trendy boutiques, patio brunches, and laid-back charm. This is where our third store is located, and it’s the perfect mix of local flavor, shopping, and good eats—all in one day!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout to the incredible people and programs who’ve supported me in this journey!
To my amazing employees—thank you for helping me grow this business while also giving me the flexibility to be present with my kids. I couldn’t do it without their dedication and drive.
To the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program for the invaluable connections and insights, especially around sourcing, scaling and having like mined peers.
And to my husband for always encouraging me and supporting this dream, even when it meant my business had to come first- having support from family is so impactful to our growth!

Website: https://nikkismithdesigns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkismithdesigns/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/82996493/admin/dashboard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkismithdesigns/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nikki-smith-designs-dallas

Image Credits
Chris Prince