Marlaina Stone, CEO and designer of Marlaina Stone jewelry, launched her brand in 2007 out of a small studio in Birmingham, Mich. Stone first started with couture jewelry pieces embellished with fabrics and jewels.

Her pieces have been worn by many celebrities like Katy Perry, Debra Messing and Taylor Swift, and her designs have been featured on the covers of Redbook, U magazine and in Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue and Sex in the City.

But Stone realized that developing a couture brand did not appeal to the everyday consumer.

“I wanted to start a line that would be affordable and appeal to the mass market, something that would rival my couture line,” said Stone.

After she lost everything she owned, she found a piece of gold hardware that she made into a necklace clasp. She wore the necklace everywhere and when people noticed her design, she knew that this clasp along with the brass chains, stones and crystals would launch her marketable line, Controversy.

“The hardware represented the strength and the anger I felt from working so hard,” said Stone. “I listened to what the consumers wanted, but I still stayed true to myself. I contradict what fashion is about.”

Stone carries nine different color combinations of jewelry that appeals to every customer. The Iman long chained necklace is conservative, decorated with champagne crystals, brass gold and black chains attached with the Marlaina Stone plated label for $175. Stone and her 10- person production team hand make every piece she sells. The extenders are made with gold clasps, short gold chains and fresh water pearl coins priced at $13. These extenders are used to elongate a simple gold necklace or can be worn as a bracelet for an everyday wrist staple.

“The style of the pieces ranges significantly, from edgy to sharp, to soft and feminine,” said Sydney Greise, sophomore. “There is something for everyone despite how different their individual styles may be.”

Stone’s family and friends invested $50,000 to launch her brand. She has a production of only 20 members, a few salespeople and several local suppliers who are loyal to Stone.

At age 15, Stone was working as a salesperson in retail and moved her way up to regional manager of a department store at age 25. Her experience in business helped create, market, sell and supply her own brand.

“I watched retail, I knew buyers, I knew the market, and I had this passion,” she said.

Marlaina Stone jewelry is now sold in 26 Nordstrom stores, 50 fine jewelry stores, a few independent cosmetic stores and spas and her website marlainastone.com.

In five years, Stone hopes to evolve the brand into belts, handbags and shoes. She also wants to move into manufacturing, find a business that will merge with her label and grow in distributing her product. In 10 years, Marlaina Stone might become its own furnishing company.

“I want to be a specialty,” she said. “I want people to like my philosophy and my attitude.”