Rapsody, Simone I. Smith Unveil Jewelry Collection for Black Womanhood

Smith co-founded Simone I. Smith Jewelry in 2011 after her diagnosis of stage III chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The brand started with a signature lollipop pendant and expanded into hoops, bangles, necklaces, and a men's line. A portion of every sale goes to the American Cancer Society.

In an interview with Black Enterprise, Smith said the key to running a lasting brand is staying true to herself and creating timeless pieces instead of chasing trends. "I've stayed true to who I am, created timeless pieces instead of chasing trends, listened to my customers, and never compromised on quality or purpose," she said.

On what makes a successful partnership, Smith pointed to trust, respect, and shared values. "When everyone brings their authentic creativity to the table with the same goal, that's when the magic happens," she said.

Smith also emphasized the importance of women in business working together. "When women support each other, we all win. There's room for all of us to succeed, and when we collaborate instead of compete, we create opportunities that are bigger than any one of us," she said.

She offered advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs: ask whether a marketplace needs what you want to build, what void you are filling, and what makes your brand different. "Surround yourself with a great team that's just as passionate about the vision as you are. Stay authentic, work hard, be patient, be consistent, and remember that your reputation is one of your greatest assets," she said.