2021 Influential Businesswoman Awards

Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2021 Company: Hattie Banks Contact: Hattie Gilpin Web Address: www.hattiebanks.com Most Distinguished Fashion & Jewelry Business Leader (USA): Harriet Gilpin attie Banks is a fine jewelry line inspired by New York City and produced from recycled and responsibly sourced metals and stones whilst using sustainable production methods. Founder Hattie Gilpin explains, “I wanted to create jewelry that strikes a delicate balance between the modern-day woman and generations to come. I believe Hattie Banks should be worn and adored--not kept in a safe. I am committed to prioritizing wearability by creating modern, timeless pieces while using the highest quality materials. I take pride in educating each client both on those qualities but also helping them with their budget and what that value looks like through unique personal services.” Hattie describes her fortune with being able to work with all kinds of clients stating, “My clients are my biggest inspiration. They are moms, businesswomen, trendsetters, and globe trotters. They are strong, powerful, women that I am fortunate enough to call family.” Before founding Hattie Banks, she worked for a local jeweler whom she classed as her mentor. “She took me under her wing and educated me before I went out on my own,”. Hattie reminisces. “I would help her with production, out on the sales floor, marketing, and website management. Now that I’ve founded my own business, my day-to-day differs. Overall, I spend my time designing new pieces for my company and clients’ collections, managing the production team, ensuring only the highest quality pieces are produced, and keeping up with the administrative details.” Hattie continues, “There are a lot of very strong, talented women that have paved the way for others to get involved. A lot of fellow designers are happy to have conversations about the industry and mentor emerging designers. I am thankful to be considered one of them.” Hattie has always been fascinated and interested in jewelry and she describes how her knowledge and expertise were passed down from her former mentor. Hattie states, “I learned the importance of both the front-facing side of the business, as well as the back-end.” “I love creating bespoke pieces, such as Sea Dipped, that commemorate special moments in time or custom wedding bands for clients to celebrate their happiest day,” she continues. “My jewelry is meant to last and be worn daily and passed on to future generations H as heirloom pieces. I am also proud to have been awarded as the ‘Most Distinguished Fashion & Jewelry Business Leader’ by Acquisition International.” Hattie is proud that that her business has continued to grow organically year after year, even despite Covid-19 and other industry factors. However, as bright as the business can be, Hattie explains the difficulties in the industry and the advice she would offer others seeking out similar opportunities, stating, “There are many challenges that women face within the work environment. I would advise all women to create an environment of collaboration and not competition. I believe that working together, staying consistent, and always looking forward is the best way to continue to excel.” One of the ways Hattie gets ahead of any issues within her work is by having an open-door policy. “Whenever there is a woman (or male) looking for advice within the industry (or within business/life) I always try to be a sounding board and a mentor.” Hattie has spent a lot of her own time volunteering with multiple organizations, focused on education and ocean conservation, as well as donating to them. Hattie states, “We can give back to multiple organizations that are meaningful to our community through our virtual trunk show program. Each piece from the Sea Dipped collection also saves 10 sea turtle hatchlings through our work with an organization called See Turtles.” Hattie Banks will continue to grow within the jewelry industry and create memorable experiences and pieces for its clients, such as offering the opportunity for clients to ‘dip their shells.’ Hattie explains, “This will be done by having our clients submit their own personal, ethically sourced shells and have them hand-dipped in 14K gold or sterling silver. It will be created and worn as a sustainable piece of jewelry, completely sustainable, handmade, bespoke, and kept as a memento. Additionally, we are adding to our bespoke bridal experience by offering custom packaging, including stamping wedding logos, and continuing to personalize the bridal design process.” For the foreseeable future, Hattie’s goals are to flourish and expand as a successful jewelry designer and woman in business, and to continually support her fellow entrepreneurs along the way. Hattie Gilpin, the winner of The Most Distinguished Fashion & jewelry Business Leader (USA), was inspired by the energetic city streets of New York and brought to life her life-long passion for handmade jewelry. Her business line, Hattie Banks, launched successfully in 2018 and continues to thrive. Jul21135