Alex and Ani, the home-grown jewelry designer and manufacturer, continues to collect awards and grow its footprint. The most recent recognition of the company’s success came last week, when the U.S. Small Business Administration named Carolyn Rafaelian, the founder of Alex and Ani, the 2012 Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year.
This latest award is no surprise to Providence Business News. The company was recognized in 2011 with a Business Excellence Award from PBN, as well as being named one of the Best Places to Work. Alex and Ani topped the Fastest-Growing Private Company Top List for enterprises with $250,000 to $5 million in revenue in 2011 as well, and based on company reports, is likely to be near the top again this year.
It is adding accounts across the globe, and if growth continues apace, it will need to add facilities (and employees) in Rhode Island sooner rather than later.
What is the secret to Alex and Ani’s success? It starts with a product that catches the zeitgeist. But it’s also about brand management. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about creating a work environment that values its employees’ creativity and development.
Not every company makes shiny, pretty things to wear. But all ventures that take care of business like Alex and Ani does will find success as well. •