Meet Jazmin Buford of Ritzy Trinkets in Inglewood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jazmin Buford.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jazmin. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
Ritzy Trinkets was born from a younger version of myself in circa 2010. I remember telling someone that I hated when we had the free dress, in high school, so many of us wore the same exact articles and I often times wanted something just for me.

Sewing kind of wasn’t my interest, and my cousin suggested jewelry. I entertained the thought but didn’t move on it right away. I was a fresh high school graduate heading off to college- away from home for the first time, so I thought what better time than now to reinvent myself and set myself apart. I wanted to start this new journey with a new look and finally really hone in on my personal style without so many opinions.

In figuring this all out, I made the decision to cut my hair into a mohawk. With learning how to rock my new cut and figuring out my style I tapped into a creative side I didn’t quite know I had lol. I loved the mismatch earring trend that Rihanna started, once cutting her hair, and I played with that a lot. Naturally, it brought back up the idea of jewelry making.

I was headed downtown with my cousin around the same time for a business venture of hers, and while we were there, she suggested we go look around the fashion district’s jewelry section. She was nice enough to have bought my first beads and materials and I YouTube’d some tutorials and boom! She was my first client and slowly but surely, with many pauses and changes in between, Ritzy Trinkets is a live brand that’s on it’s way up.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely the furthest thing from smooth. As I stated, I started when I was headed off to college so of course, this has been a start, stop, go & repeat journey for me lol. I believe the struggles were just being young when starting AND not having a ton of knowledge or guidance in the beginning. I’ve also had to learn who I am as a woman and adjust to adult life along the way.

It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve revamped my approach to my business and have been going consistently ever since. Life will always present new challenges along the way, so I take them as they come. My newest challenge, but the sole reason for my revamp, is becoming a first-time mom. Seeing how little corporate cared about family, I knew I could never be the mother I aspired to be and work for them. I had to give my entrepreneur dream a shot to live out my bigger dream of being a present, hands-on mother. It’s my biggest motivator!

Currently, some struggles are just being able to trust the process and ween out the noise of doubt. Some days are easier than others but nonetheless, giving up or stopping is no longer an option. Also, we are in a time where vendors are the bread and butter to some people, so it’s been a challenge finding the right events to partake in. I’ve gotten better, quickly with this part — learning which questions to ask before placing my time and money into anything.

Ritzy Trinkets – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Ritzy Trinkets is an artisan accessories company for the vibrant, enthusiastic, urban gypsy soul.

We encourage urban women and men to live out an adventurous life that can be on display for the world to see. That’s why we pride ourselves on our dramatic color palettes and our eccentric accessories.

Ritzy Trinkets specializes in artisan jewelry accessories, home accessories and travel necessities.

What sets us apart is we do not mass produce. Sticking to the original thought of why I started the company I wanted others to have that same “exclusivity” feeling I did when purchasing from me. I only sell a max of two dozen of a sole item/set. This way, my customer can really rest assured that they’re getting one of a kind pieces. Also, I don’t just showcase my own creations, I love showcasing other artisans who share my passion, too.

I’m most proud of myself for never giving up on my company and the vision that I had all those years ago. I have mentors who believe in me, supported me and have given me advice, which I have taken heed to, and it has grown my business to a place that I could’ve never gotten to alone. Also, I’m not afraid to put myself out there of trying new things and reaching out to people to get to know and utilize my brand.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by checking my goals off and being able to add new and larger ones.

Success is making the people who have sacrificed for, poured into, supported and pushed me, proud. I define success by the tears of defeat that are overshadowed by the joys of achievement.

There are small and large successes, no one is greater than the other, they all help paint the bigger picture.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RitzyTrinkets.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/ritzytrinkets
• Facebook: facebook.com/ritzytrinkets

Image Credit:
Richard Malcolm, Brittnee Stewart, Paul Buford III

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