http://voyageatl.com/interview/conversations-inspiring-riley-kinnane-petersen-john-petersen/
Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Kinnane- Petersen and John Petersen.
Riley and John, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Gunner & Lux is a daughter and dad made kids’ jewelry brand. Together, we’ve created something we hope will bring smiles and inspiration to those who START COLLECTING!
Fun! Cool! Flair! For those who think outside the jewelry box.
Riley loved to play dress up, accessorize, and find fashion inspiration at a very young age. During the summer of 2015, when Riley was just five years old she decided to use the vintage jewelry her dad John had collected for her to create her very first necklace. She learned how to use pliers, tweezers, and tie knots as she developed her own line of colorful, whimsical accessories.
Riley and John worked on these necklaces together after dinner each night. Soon, Riley began selling her individual charms at her summer lemonade stand, then on her website, and before they both knew it… their jewelry was being sold in stores all around the world! Riley has sold her jewelry in stores from Barneys NY, Nordstroms, Fred Segal, J.Crew, and over 500+ stores all over the world. She continues to collaborate with other artists and looks for inspiration wherever she goes.
Has it been a smooth road?
Our one piece of advice that we have always tried to share, is that we have really tried to say YES to as many things that have come our way (as long as they were “on brand”).
You can always figure it out!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Gunner & Lux story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a kids jewelry brand. We sell all kinds of fun fashionable kids jewelry.
We also make really great kids and adult statement t-shirts.
We also have had a fun Flair & Wear section on our website that has some neat things like enamel pins, vintage bandanas, tote bags. Then, in our Curated Cool section, we have all kinds of fun stuff that we personally went out and found, that we think our customers would love! From cool cat combs, vintage cars, paper dolls, just really cool things.
Kind of one stop shop!
What we love most, is when we see all the photos of the kids wearing our jewelry, seeing them collect the necklaces, and style them, that just means so much to us.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
We really look up to so many women entrepreneurs. We have been so lucky to have so many amazing women reach out to Riley and offer advice, help, a lending ear. From meetings, a card, a phone call… you have no idea what it means to a kid that is essentially running her own business to hear from these ladies that she looks up to!
@jengotch
@anisainternational
@toryburch
@jennalyonsnyc
@michelle_adams_
@pencilandpaperco
@sophieandlili
and so many more!