Inspiring Conversations with Alie Romano of ARCAVIA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alie Romano

Hi Alie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved fashion and design and running my own business was always a dream. That dream began in 2017, when I was a junior in high school living in Orlando, FL. One day, after school, my friends and I had a spark of creativity. We took a quick trip to the local craft store, bought some jewelry supplies, and spent the evening crafting our first pieces. The next day, we brought our handmade creations to school—and to our surprise, everything sold! That was the moment we realized we were onto something special, and the business was born.

At the time, it was known as Southside Charms. We created social media accounts to promote our products, and before we knew it, our small venture was growing. We even participated in local events like our school’s annual fall festival, where we were able to connect with even more customers and grow our presence.

As high school ended and college approached, my friends decided they no longer had the time or passion for the business. But I knew this was my passion, so I took the leap and decided to continue the business on my own. I even pursued a degree in Retail Entrepreneurship, which played a huge role in evolving my brand. I transitioned from selling through Instagram DMs to building a website from scratch, where I could sell directly online. Southside Charms carried me through college, but by 2022, I knew it was time for a complete rebrand.

After months of planning and refining my vision, ARCAVIA was born—a name close to my heart. The “ARC” represents my initials, and “AVIA” is Latin for grandmother. My grandma wasn’t just my biggest supporter; she also played a crucial role in funding our very first venture back in high school. It was incredibly important to me to honor her by incorporating her into the new name.

With the rebrand came a new direction. While Southside Charms was known for its fun beaded designs, ARCAVIA shifted towards timeless, high-quality jewelry—gold-filled and sterling silver pieces that are hypoallergenic, non-tarnish, and made to last.

Today, ARCAVIA is based in Nashville, where I continue to grow the business beyond what I ever imagined. You can often find me hosting pop-ups around the city, offering unique handmade pieces and an exciting new service—permanent jewelry!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! Like most small business owners, I’ve encountered my fair share of challenges. One of the biggest obstacles was starting without an entrepreneurial background. Everything I know about running a business, I had to learn through hands-on experience and plenty of trial and error. Whether it was building a website, managing finances, marketing, or sourcing products, I had to figure it all out on my own. There were definitely moments where I felt completely in over my head, but those challenges became some of the greatest opportunities for growth.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
ARCAVIA is a Nashville based jewelry brand that offers high-quality, handcrafted pieces designed to be both timeless and durable. Made from 14k gold-filled or sterling silver materials, our pieces are hypoallergenic, non-tarnish, and made to last–perfect for everyday wear. We’re dedicated to helping individuals find jewelry that not only reflects their personal style but also empowers them to feel confident, beautiful, and effortlessly authentic. Our jewelry is handmade in the USA, ensuring the highest level of quality and care in every detail. Plus, we offer customizable options, allowing customers to make each piece truly their own.

What sets ARCAVIA apart is that we focus on more than just creating beautiful jewelry; we’re dedicated to crafting pieces that carry meaning and hold memories. Whether you’re visiting one of our pop-ups for permanent jewelry or browsing our collections online, ARCAVIA offers you something unique, personal, and lasting. We want our customers to feel like they’re wearing more than just a piece of jewelry—they’re wearing a piece of their story.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality I believe is most important for success is authenticity. From the very beginning, I’ve been committed to making jewelry that reflects genuine craftsmanship, personal connection, and timeless elegance. Staying true to my core values of quality and care, while offering pieces that resonate with people, has really set ARCAVIA apart. I also believe that authenticity extends beyond just the jewelry we make—it’s reflected in the relationships we build with our customers. This commitment to being authentic, both in our products and our connections, has been key to growing my brand and maintaining its success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shoparcavia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoparcavia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoparcavia/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shoparcavia