Like a lot of creative businesses, Robinson Lane Designs began as a hobby. Founder Christy Bourns started making jewelry in 2002 for herself, but it quickly evolved into something bigger when people began purchasing pieces right off of her neck.
At the time Christy — who has degrees in political science and journalism from the University of Arkansas — was working in marketing at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Evenings and weekends, the self-professed night owl would burn the midnight oil, making jewelry and then selling her pieces at home shows and on her website.
By 2004, Robinson Lane had become so successful that Christy felt as if she had two full-time jobs. She knew something had to give and made the decision to pursue her jewelry business full-time.
“It was an easy decision because it felt completely natural, and it was naturally going in that direction. It wasn’t an easy decision because I knew if I failed, I was going to have to give it up completely,” she recalls. “I loved it so much but knew I didn’t have time to do it on the side. I wanted it to work so badly, so I gave myself six months to give it a go.”
Christy didn’t have to wait long to find out if Robinson Lane was going to be a hit or a miss. Immediately after going full time, one of Christy’s customers in Dallas emailed a buyer at department store Harold’s, and that buyer contracted Christy to do some private label pieces. She designed several seasons for Harold’s, which would buy up to 700 pieces at a time.
Today, almost 11 years later, Robinson Lane has customers in 20 countries and on four continents. Locally, jewelry can be purchased at E.Leigh’s in Hillcrest, Proposals in The Heights and Vesta’s in Pleasant Ridge Town Center. Robinson Lane also partners with online retailer Bourbon & Boots.
“I can’t believe it’s been almost 11 years since I started,” Christy beams. “I feel incredibly lucky to do what I do.”
Christy says she gains inspiration from color, life, stories, actual materials — like vintage components that she can re-purpose — and her other two passions in life: travel and music. “Both actually end up weaving their way into and influencing my designs.”
Robinson Lane’s most popular piece, hands-down, says Christy, is the “Cash” necklace, which features a lyric from the Johnny Cash hit “I Walk the Line.” “The stamped jewelry as a whole is very popular with my customers,” she says, “as it enables them to create pieces of meaningful jewelry that are personal and unique to them. This is essentially how the ‘Cash’ necklace came to be. The lyric, ‘I keep a close watch on this heart of mine,” is significant to me and has resonated with other women as well.
Another top seller is the state necklace, which Christy can personalize with a heart on the customer’s hometown, or a word or phrase.
As for the future of Robinson Lane, Christy doesn’t have all the answers, but she knows it will be bright. “I’m at a place with my business where I can truly dream big,” she says. “Someday, I would like to see Robinson Lane grow to include employees and make a meaningful difference in the lives of other women. I don’t know what that looks like exactly, but I’m thrilled about the possibilities.”