Radiance & Romance -Lauren Richardson’s Story

A year and a half into my dream job, I realized the 9-to-5 world wasn’t for me. The entire office seemed to live for the weekend, myself included. Sunday nights and Monday mornings filled me with dread. I lacked motivation. I didn’t care about advancing within the company. So, I asked myself: Why? Why do our lives revolve around waiting for 5 pm on Friday, only to unwind for two days and do it all again?

Each role I held after graduating was the same: the initial enthusiasm would gradually give way to a soul-eating routine of trying to squeeze my unconventional self into a conventional box. The passionate, rebellious creative inside me fought each step of the way, however hard I tried to stifle her.

I’ve been in love with jewelry ever since taking my first class in high school. Interested in jewelry’s power to extend, amplify, accentuate, and transform our bodies, I went on to study it at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Jewelry is more than just adornment; it’s about identity. To me, jewelry was a way I could make a statement. It was a way for me to stand out. I’m a very shy person but wearing a special piece of jewelry gave me that little extra confidence to be myself.

It was always my dream to start my own jewelry brand, but, like many graduates, I caved under the pressure to play it safe and got myself “a real job” after college. I convinced myself that starting my own jewelry line would have to wait until I had achieved “success” or saved enough money. The truth? I was shrinking in the shadow of my fear and self-doubt.

I returned to the basics: I reminded myself that life should not only be lived but loved. I recognized that despite my fear of heights, I’ve managed to jump out of a plane, ride aboard a hot air balloon, and regularly practice upside-down aerial tricks. I remembered that the very voices that had dissuaded me from pursuing an art major had only fueled my drive to invest in my passion and creative practice.

So, why did I let fear stand in the way of my career? The only obstacle standing in the way of living the life I crave was me. I swiftly quit my job, started Radiance & Romance, and haven’t looked back since. 

Radiance & Romance is more than just a jewelry brand. It’s a place where every woman learns to love herself, celebrate her femininity, and never doubt her strength. When she wears a piece of Radiance & Romance jewelry, I hope she feels courageous enough to go after her dreams and confident enough to let her true self sparkle.

Lauren Richardson, Founder of Radiance & Romance