Meet Taylor Grabiner of French Kande

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Grabiner.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Taylor. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m fortunate enough to be born and raised in Manhattan Beach, CA. Growing up by the beach in Los Angeles surely is paradise and I thank god every day for it. Six years ago I moved to NYC to vamp up my fashion design career after I got my design degree from FIDM. I got a job with Tommy Hilfiger as their youngest(at the time)womenswear designer designing outerwear, pants, shorts and woven tops for 3 years and I loved it. It ended because I was offered a position with Levi’s that I simply couldn’t refuse. About six months into Levi’s, my mom came to me with an opportunity… Backstory, eight years ago she started a jewelry company called French Kande.

A total Francophile, my mom found herself roaming France with my dad without fail every year and one trip came across these badass medallions she bought as gifts. She threw one on a strand of pearls, several clients offered to buy it off her neck and 8 years later it’s a thriving company. She knew nothing about the jewelry industry and completely did it all herself, it still blows my mind where we are today. When my mom came to me offering me a job, I was stoked to become a part of something that I could really make an impact on.

The company was growing, fast, and my mom needed someone she could trust to hustle their butt off and continue the growth. For the last 2 and a half years, I’ve learned an incredible amount. I handle all things e-commerce. I taught myself how to code, Facebook and Instagram advertising, marketing, PR… I design and code all our emails, style and direct all our campaign shoots and social media content. Its been a wild ride and I’m up to my eyeballs in work 24 hours a day but I’m happier than ever.

Has it been a smooth road?
Roads worth taking are never smooth, but I don’t dwell on that stuff. To be honest, I’m a bit grateful for the rough times, that’s what makes me work that much harder. I think my biggest struggle is doubting myself. Working with your family is a level of stress that no one will ever understand unless they’ve done it themselves. If I screw up… if my numbers drop… my parents are the ones who will ultimately suffer.

It’s a great motivator though don’t get me wrong, I just care so much that I find myself more stressed and under more pressure than any other position I’ve ever had. My main priority is to work as hard as I possibly can, always put my best foot forward and roll with the punches. When you own a small company there are always punches, but that’s what makes every success gained that much sweeter.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
French Kande is a line of demi-fine jewelry. The line is designed around French vintage medallions from the 1960’s that we find in flea markets and other places all over France. Each medallion tells a unique story… A boulangerie in Paris, a shoe store in Burgundy, and even an insurance agency in Alsace: many featuring addresses and phone numbers from years gone by. These pieces were collected as keepsakes and that’s what we hope to continue with our jewelry. Our story is what sets us apart.

That alongside our aesthetic; Bold, edgy and forever feminine statement pieces made with only the highest quality materials. No simple, basic delicate stuff that will break on you in a year, we stand by that with a lifetime guarantee too- no questions asked. We use Swarovski, semi-precious stones, sterling silver, brass, freshwater pearls… and we’re most proud of the fact that everything is handmade here in our studio in Los Angeles, from start to finish.

Everything is totally custom cast and there is nothing you can get from us you can get anywhere else. We strive to deliver high-quality pieces made with serious love. We’re hardcore about integrity and I really think that shows in our product and the way we treat our customers.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Not going to lie, the California taxes are rough and extremely hard on small business’.

But, it’s a wonderful place to live and that’s important. There are also so many amazing people to hire in this city! Dreamers and creators and that’s something to be said.

Pricing:

• Necklaces range from $195-$750.
• Bracelets range from $88-$350
• Earrings and Rings range from $65-$190

Contact Info:

• Website: www.frenchkande.com
• Phone: 310-414-3400
• Email: taylor@frenchkande.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchkandejewelry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrenchKande

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.