Barbara Avakian
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
VII A.D.
Find More Startups
Startup
Location:
Los Angeles
Industry:
Retail/Clothing
Year Founded:
2010
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Business Stage:
Growth (not profitable)
Entity Type:
Sole Proprietorship
Description:
VII A.D., child company of Sevan A Designs, is a for the public silver jewelry art & accessories line that is handmade by the artist and founder, Sevan Avakian.
We have spent the last few years heavily involved in the rising sport of MMA, sponsoring athletes in the top organizations while building our brand fully aware we were not going to turn a profit.
Our company is well recognized within MMA and Sevan is well known in the jewelry and gemology circles, yet our initial business strategy has been exhausted and we need the brand to flourish outside of MMA as our product is exquisite, brilliant and above all, art that is NOT mass produced.
We have finally reached out to PR firms and a few have made in person visits to the studio to meet with us and have all agreed we have a stellar, forward thinking, avant garde product that will have no problem penetrating the fashion and celebrity markets ultimately ending in the right retail placement we need to grow the brand.
That said, we are in a catch 22 as we have been personally funding the company and are in dire need of capital to sustain a 6 month PR engagement to turn the company to a profitable, sought after product.
Sevan has over 25+ years in the industry focused on custom, commissioned couture pieces in platinum and colored diamonds. He is an accomplished and respected gemologist. He is a jewelry architect and designer. He hand sculpts all the pieces in wax. He is a Master Craftsman, Master Platinum Smith, Master Metal Smith, Master Silver Smith (and has created a few metals of his own) and has made careers for some big names by selling his designs or lines in the past. Celebrities wear his work and they don't even know. This is his time to shine and I urge you to visit not only our site, but the studio to see the level of detail and passion he puts in every piece. He is a brilliant artist.