Inspiring Conversations with Alexis Isham of Resera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Isham.

Hi Alexis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Absolutely. My story starts in the summer of 2016 when I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. I had just come back from an internship in Madrid and was gearing up for my junior year at Vanderbilt. When I felt like the world was at my fingertips, it seemed to all slip away.

Forced to take a medical leave of absence, I felt called to use my newfound free time to wander the streets of downtown Nashville, my hometown, to befriend people experiencing homelessness. Although I was a longtime volunteer at local nonprofits, I was interested in meeting others outside of formal organizations. Person to person. The ensuing conversations and friendships convinced me of the need to expand employment opportunities specifically for the unhoused and impoverished.

One night during my medical leave, I went to visit friends at Vanderbilt and lost my car keys. An old friend, Corbin, happened to walk by as I sat patiently on the curb, waiting for a spare key. Over the next hour, we began brainstorming ways to provide employment opportunities for those in need, eventually landing on handmade jewelry like a manifestation of our belief that everyone can add beauty into the world. When I returned to school in the spring, Corbin and I entered and won a business pitch contest, giving us a little bit of start-up money and a lot of confidence.

Around that same time, one of my best friends, Ray, was diagnosed with cancer and named me his Power of Attorney. We had met years prior while I volunteering at a local transitional home. He had been homeless for decades before moving into the complex, and we formed a quasi-grandfather-granddaughter relationship over the years. One evening that spring, Ray called and simply blurted, “I’m dying. You need to come to the hospital.” He was never one to mince words. Hours later, I found myself perched beside Ray’s hospital bed, listening to him reflect on his life. When I got up to leave, Ray leaned in closer and quite matter-of-factly stated, “Alexis, I have a storage unit. And in this storage unit, I have a duffle bag of money. I want you to have it when I pass.” And just like that, a man who didn’t even own a mattress became the primary investor in a company that would go on to employ other people experiencing homelessness.

After graduating from Vanderbilt in 2018, Corbin and I began working full-time for our jewelry brand “Resera”, with the mission to employ and empower women overcoming homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, and addiction. Our employees, whom we affectionately refer to as “Makers,” physically craft all of our jewelry out of 100% recycled sterling silver and 14K gold. Through an advanced production process, we are able to create custom 3D molds of designs, pour molten metal into the mold, and polish the resulting piece to perfection. Our ability to create completely unique designs has also allowed us to partner with celebrities and influencers to create custom jewelry for their followers.

Beyond stable employment, we partner with local nonprofits to provide our Makers with housing, career counseling, therapy, community events, and financial training. Our goal is that each Maker will be able to heal and stabilize before eventually graduating into a home and job of her own within 1-2 years of working at Resera. Previous Graduates have gone on to become teachers, store employees, and even staff members at Resera.

Although five years ago I would have said that Lyme Disease was stripping me of my identity and my future, I have since found that it gave me the freedom and confidence to explore my deepest passions, and for that I’m thankful. Ironically, some of the most debilitating times of my life led to a company that strengthens everyone it touches.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh gosh, there have been so many challenges that have come up along the way. Once, we had just launched a new necklace and had nearly 1,000 orders that we were about to ship out when we realized that we had produced the wrong size and had to start all over. The silver lining of that issue was that it showed how incredible our team is that we were able to come together and get it done before customers ever even knew there was a problem.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Resera is an ethical jewelry brand that employs and empowers women survivors to overcome homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, and addiction. We use recycled precious metals to create lasting jewelry that is better for people and the planet.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that community support and opportunities change lives, that sometimes you need to take calculated risks, and that strong team culture is worth its weight in gold (and I know my gold prices!)

Pricing:

• Necklaces: $48-75
• Bracelets: $48-62
• Earrings: $48

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.resera.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_resera/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reserajewelry/

Image Credits
Soulbeam Studio