Alejandra In Design > www.AlejandraInDesign.com

Alejandra Hines, Creator, Alejandra In Design.


What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You must have an abundance of the following: determination; vision; passion and the knowledge and humbly confident expression within yourself that God is directing you as you walk in the steps of your destiny.


What did inspire you to start your business?
God and all of the beautiful things He has created inspires me every day.


How did you finance it?
I started my company with $300 and a ton of grit.


Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Being Hispanic has its own nuanced way of life, so you can never escape it—it is a part of you to be embraced. How we interact with our family, our customs, our music, the dramatic characters and joie d ‘vive, as the French say, definitely influence how I perceive my art of business and the business of art.


In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
I choose to keep moving Upward and Onward, as it is said in English, because adversity is truly a lesson in disguise and extracting the message is what I believe God has in mind for us all. So keep it moving!


What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Doubt. A cherished person told me that I couldn’t do what I am doing now. I had to understand that one person’s doubt is just that, one person’s doubt—let it go.


If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Truly, I would not change a thing because it would be very unappreciative of all of the blessings that I have received and continue to receive.


What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to be a doctor, maybe a Grey’s Anatomy type—lol. Seriously, my grandmother was one of the first fully trained nurses in Costa Rica, so I was exposed to medicine for a good portion of my life. I think I couldn’t dissect frogs, so how was I going to dissect a human?


Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
I admire all of the people that have paved the way for me to do what it is that I love to do. I especially admire the women that had the courage, determination and savvy to navigate in uncharted waters and find a land of their own.


For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
For me, lunch is best. It really sets the tone for the rest of my day (I like to work late into the nights/mornings).


What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Any sacrifices that I’ve had to make have been necessary for this journey and I love them all!


What is your favorite quote?
I can’t wait to be on a stage in front of a large televised audience so I can say, “to God be the Glory!”


Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No, I look at my unconventional-ness as conventional, so I don’t even bother to try to figure it out.


Biggest mistake made?
I’ve trusted people at times and that has caused me to learn some very dear lessons. It’s not that I do not trust anyone, but there are moments where you can only trust what is in your heart and in your mind.


Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I love to study people and figure out what would look good on them, or what might look good in their home and use my imagination, so that’s part of being an innovator. I love to create, so that’s another part of the formula, but to me God is the greatest innovator, so I just show up and listen.


About the Company:
AlejandraInDesign began as an off-shoot of its sister company, Alejandra’s Pearls, Inc. which was established in May of 2004. Costa Rican born jewelry designer, Alejandra, began her career designing jewelry as an expression of her vision of the female form as a walking, breathing and living work of art; therefore the jewelry and accessories should match the aura and energy of art—it should come to life and embody the unique passion of each woman. “Each piece has its soul mate,” Alejandra proclaims, “I design pieces of art for women to wear and each piece finds its match, eventually. What strikes one woman a certain way may have the opposite effect on another, so it is truly a creative birthing process, in a way” A portion of the proceeds generated from sales is donated to a cause that is personally selected by Alejandra and her staff. She has donated time, pieces, hope, energy, money and love to a number of different causes related to women and children since the company’s inception. Some notable charities and causes are the American Diabetes Association, The Northern Westchester Women’s Shelter, NYU’s Ovarian Cancer Research, Blythedale’s Children’s Hospital and The Hudson River Museum’s program to bring astronomy to economically disadvantaged children, to name a few. Alejandra’s passion for producing pieces of classically elegant, yet unique jewelry can be matched only by the joy she receives in helping those who are in need. The story of AlejandraInDesign is one of perseverance and positivity. All it takes is to speak to her personally to catch the infectious spirit of this Latina designer. “My mother taught me tenacity and undying expressive love, that is why my new line of jewelry carries her name, Elisa, in her memory.” AlejandraInDesign will be the featured jewelry designer for the internationally recognized Fashion Designer Andres Aquino at Couture Fashion Week, which will be held at the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City at 8pm on September 11th.

AlejandraInDesign’s showroom is located in Westchester County, New York and Alejandra can be reached by appointment at (212) 631-5898 or by email at Alejandra@AlejandraInDesign.com.
Visit her website at http://www.alejandraindesign.com/ to view her collection.