Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Smith.
Hi Renee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always been fascinated with jewelry. Growing up, I used to make earrings out of my dad’s guitar strings, and that is really where my love for handmade creations began.
Fast forward to 2022, I was driving to Detroit with my best friend, ShayLee, to get permanent jewelry because I thought it was such a fun idea. During the entire drive home, we could not stop talking about how we should bring permanent jewelry to Midland, Michigan, since no one around us was offering it at the time. Within just a couple of weeks, we were up and running and learning so much along the way.
The name Synergy came out of a brainstorm session during that same car ride. Both of us had gone to business school together and were freshmen roommates, so the term “synergy,” a business term that means the connection between two things, felt perfect. It reflected not only our partnership but also the idea of connecting two ends to create a seamless piece of jewelry.
In the summer of 2024, ShayLee moved to Florida to expand our permanent jewelry offerings to the Panhandle, while I stayed in Michigan to grow our brand even further. I launched a full ready-to-wear line of handmade jewelry and introduced Michigan’s first mobile, welded, gold-filled charm bar.
What started as a simple idea for a permanent jewelry business has now evolved into a full-blown jewelry brand in just three years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, it has been a pretty smooth road, but there have definitely been some bumps along the way, especially in the beginning. When we first started, we bought jewelry supplies from a company that advertised their products as gold-filled, but we quickly found out they were not. We had to scramble to find the high-quality supplies we needed just in time for our very first event. Quality has always been our top priority, so offering anything less was never an option.
Another challenge has been the rising cost of gold, which has gone up by almost 40% since we started in 2022. In the fall of 2024, we had to adjust our pricing to reflect those changes. Thankfully, we set our new pricing structure with future economic shifts in mind, so we do not foresee needing to make any additional adjustments for a while.
One of the ongoing challenges we face is finding ways to always stay unique, special, and stand out from others in our industry. In everything we do, we strive to be the innovators and leaders, making sure our brand stays true to who we are.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Synergy Jewelry, we specialize in creating high-quality, meaningful jewelry that is designed to be lived in and loved every day. We offer one of the largest selections of permanent jewelry chains and charms in Michigan, along with a full ready-to-wear line of handmade pieces. We are proud to be home to Michigan’s first mobile, welded, gold-filled charm bar, offering a unique and elevated jewelry experience you will not find anywhere else.
Every piece we create is made from either gold-filled or sterling silver, materials chosen for their durability, beauty, and ability to withstand everyday wear. Quality and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything we do. We stand behind every piece we design and pride ourselves on exceptional customer service.
What sets us apart is our constant drive to innovate and lead. From our product offerings to our customer experiences, we are always striving to stay unique and ahead of the curve. I personally am most proud of how far we have come in such a short time — growing from a small idea in 2022 to a full jewelry brand that continues to evolve and expand. Seeing our pieces become a part of our customers’ everyday lives is truly the most rewarding part of what we do.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are so many ways to work with us, collaborate, or support what we do. We love partnering with local businesses to host public pop-up events. That’s mainly where you will find us, outside of private events or markets. It is a great way to bring new customers into their stores while allowing us to create a fun and unique experience for their shoppers. Our ready-to-wear jewelry line is also available online, making it easy to shop from anywhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.synergyjewelryco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synergyjewelryco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synergyjewelryco
