Articles and News

West Chester, PA--Lia Valencia Key grew up in Philadelphia's homeless shelters. She recalls her mother saying, "Always wear your earrings when you can't find your light."

An interview published in Bizjournals states that Key took to doodling from a young age. The Penn State and Arcadia alum then one day realized that her doodles coil turned into jewelry pieces.

Key started her jewelry brand, Valencia Key, in 2015. The mantra's been the same — about wearing earrings even when you can't find your light. "The jewelry is the byproduct of the message," Key says in the interview. "The message is, 'If I can, you can.' All of us can shatter glass ceilings, all of us can go after our dreams."

Inspired by her late mother's words and a pair of rings she gave to her daughter, Key's brand is on its way to recognition and is endorsed by editors of O, The Oprah Magazine, and others. Key eyes further growth for her brand and is seeking funding for that.

"I want to own 51% to 52% always, but I know to scale I'm going to need help," she told Bizjournals.

Key also wants to take a portion of the profits and educate children and women in schools and homeless shelters.

Here's more on Key's journey to starting her jewelry brand.