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friend Diana Russell were convinced
they couldhelp the shelter residents if
they could provide themwith employ-
ment that would incorporate a teach-
ing process while providing the
women with an income. Since both
had backgrounds in jewelry making,
that seemed like a plausible business
to pursue.
When Peterson then discovered
that graffiti was totally usable materi-
al for jewelry designs, the new part-
ners embarked onRebel Nell.
Fast forward 2 ½ years and the
company now employs four women
full time and is completely sustained
from jewelry sales. The employees
have developed the skill set necessary
to create the unique jewelry and are
able to teach it to new employees,
Julia Rhodes, the coordinator at the
small factory said.
The women employees, considered
creative designers, have been able to
move out of the shelter with a few on
their way to home ownership, Rhodes
added.
Rebel Nell staff members create
“defiant jewelry with a purpose,” she
said.
“Our mission is to employ disad-
vantaged women in Detroit, to edu-
cate them on financial management,
life wellness, and business, and to
empower them to successfully transi-
tion to an independent life,” Rhodes
said in an emailed statement.
“Our company is 100 percent sus-
tained from our jewelry sales and
while we do not employ a large num-
See
Rebel Nell,
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