Raqquyah Webb: Taking the leap and following your passion

Atizay sat down with Raqquayh Webb, the owner and designer of Adorn New York for a fun and insightful interview about her jewelry company. She welcomed us into her home to talk about the inception of Adorn New York, how she transitioned from respiratory therapist to jewelry maker, the importance of self-discipline and advice for anyone who wants to take the leap and follow their passion.

“The idea was there to make something for women. That has always been a desire of mine.”

When did you start making jewelry?

I started making jewelry after working as a respiratory therapist for a year and realizing that respiratory therapy and health care in general didn't bring as much fulfillment as I thought it would. As a professional adult, I started to investigate other fields that were of interest to me and jewelry was one of them. So when was that? (Laughs)...Like 2007, yup.

Did you try any other art medium besides jewelry making when you were going through that transition?

Yes, I'm a very creative person. So it was jewelry making. It was writing. It was singing. It was dancing. Even being more sociable with family and friends. I would have dinners at my home and invite everybody to come; just creating loving and social environments for people to connect and forming the bonds.

Take us back to the start of Adorn New York.

I didn't start this journey by myself. When I first got the idea to make jewelry, I invited a friend of mine to enter a festival with me. She asked me, “What are we going to sell?” to which I responded “I don't know. We have to figure it out because it’s next weekend”. We ended up going to Manhattan like Sixth Avenue and Broadway. We found a shop and got some copper wires, some pliers and some beads. We went back to her house, sat on her sofa and made a bunch of jewelry. The idea was there to make something for women. That has always been a desire of mine. So for our first event we sold jewelry; that day we made $300. We were happy and ecstatic. We didn't really have any expectations. We were just trying something new. We just didn't know that women would respond to what we created the way that they did. It was amazing and that's when I knew this was leading us somewhere. 

Did you keep on making jewelry and working as a respiratory therapist?

So 2006  was my first job as a respiratory therapist. Super disappointed. Then after a year, I started making jewelry, doing events every weekend. At some point, I decided to give myself time to investigate other things that I loved. I gave myself, I think 6 months to figure some things out. And then I went back to respiratory therapy. During those 6 months, a friend and I created “Teas and stuff” because at that time we were doing t-shirts and the jewelry. So from then till 2018 I've always juggled both of them. 

“I would say take your time and be very intentional about your life and your legacy, because that's really what you are building. It's not a hobby or something that you like to do, but it's something that is YOURS.”

When did you stop with the “Teas and stuff” and created your own Adorn New York?

First my friend, my best friend from highschool, decided to move to Antigua. At that time we had “Teas and stuff” for maybe about a year or two. So I was faced with the decision. Do I continue making jewelry or do I just go back to respiratory therapy? I continued making jewelry. And from there “Teas and stuff” became Adorn New York. That's when I made the decision to go after this dream and create this business. There are some of my first designs with “Teas and stuff”, that I still hold on to, like the swirl. Because you know, that’s where I started.

“It's also important to have a community of people who support you as well, because there are some days where even though I know what it takes to get me from a mindset of sadness to hope, sometimes it doesn't work. You need a strong foundation of people who know your vision and will support you.”

Did you have any doubts when all those changes were happening in your life?

Yes, I still have doubts. You know what it is, every day you have to make decisions. We talk about decisions like healthcare and insurance but we don’t talk about decisions like, to wake up at 6:30 in the morning or some days to choose hope and faith instead of doubt. Or figuring out how my mind works and knowing what it takes to get me from a mindset of doubt and despair to a mindset of focus and faith. Just saying to myself, “I'm not going to be here, I'm not going to stay here. This is where I am in my life and this is what I focus on. Let's just move forward.” It's also important to have a community of people who support you as well, because there are some days where even though I know what it takes to get me from a mindset of sadness to hope, sometimes it doesn't work. You need a strong foundation of people who know your vision and will support you. 

“We talk about decisions like healthcare and insurance but we don’t talk about decisions like, to wake up at 6:30 in the morning or some days to choose hope and faith instead of doubt.”

“You need discipline because it takes more than a passion to create success.”

Tell us more about your vision for Adorn New York.

In every room that I go in, I want at least five people to be wearing Adorn New York. Yes. Every room, five people, men or women. That's one of my goals. Another goal is to just be in multiple, unique boutiques nationwide, selling and carrying my line of jewelry. And of course, also to have special collections in department stores that we love.

That is amazing. And a dream we can’t wait to see come to fruition. What is your advice for anyone that wants to follow their passion and leave a “stable” career?

My advice to anyone who is thinking about transitioning from a 9 to 5 job and interested in pursuing their passion, I would say take your time and be very intentional about your life and your legacy, because that's really what you are building. It's not a hobby or something that you like to do, but it's something that is YOURS. Have a structure and regimented life, that will get you very far. You need discipline, because it takes more than a passion to create success. It is not only hard work, but it takes smart work and consistency.

In plus of being a great jewelry maker, Raqquyah is also a passionate storyteller. She shared with us the stories behind her favorite pieces, the “Beautiful Mischief” bracelet and the “Serendipity Hoop” Earrings. “These are special to me. One, because in creating these designs it expanded my horizons and my skill as a jewelry designer. I had to learn certain techniques to create those pieces. And with that comes a feeling of validation and self worth as a jewelry designer. So I mean, that was a beautiful feeling. I love them because they're different and unique.” While you shop for some Adorn New York accessories, make sure to enjoy the “Love Happens” blog, which chronicles different tales around her jewelries.

Serendipity Hoop

Beautiful Mischief