Meet Desireé Robinson: Owner and Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Desireé Robinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Desireé, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
At some point along this small business journey, I had to get over comparison, and this idea of “not being successful in a saturated market”. A lot of starting a small business is about getting rid of the mind games that your brand and/or product is not “good enough” or it isn’t like the others. The clay makers market has become really popular in these days of Covid, as people have been trying to find their spark, their passions, and their creativity. So there are AWESOME and ridiculously talented clay artists around Atlanta and all over. But I decided not to allow the talent of others to intimidate me or to stifle my own creative perspective. My mantra for the brand is “creating and designing with you in mind”. I can’t think about creating FOR every kind of woman, if I’m stuck in the trap of trying to create LIKE every other woman.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
DRVM Handmade is a variety market that specializing in creating handmade polymer clay jewelry. It’s a black-owned, woman owned business in Atlanta. I think that my style of creating is very fluid. In the sense that, unless it’s a collection that I’ve created, my earrings, color choices, style choices are exclusive. Not easily duplicated. Ladies get a truly unique piece of jewelry when they support! I’m very excited about the future of my business! Along with the jewelry, I’m moving into the home goods/home accessories sector and it’s been so fun creating pieces that can adorn and add style and character to your home space! I think I’ve been able to grow as I have mostly, because of consistency. Consistency in creating, in collaborating, in marketing and show, and in quality of product, and consistency in mindset. I think the last two were hardest, because quality product comes from trial and error, trying different methods to support the vision that you have for a pieces. And mindset has been the hardest, simply because I had to learn that my product and creativity was worth something, literally and monetarily. That came through a combination of reflection on my definition of worth, as well as client validation, realizing that people do like what I create. I want everyone to know that I really do create from a place of authenticity, thinking of the various “styles” of women that dwell within me, knowing that all women are multifaceted, and I want to cater to many… if not all the facets of women! I create with every woman in mind!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
WOW! So Atlanta has pockets of goodness all around. When the weather is decent, I definitely would start the day heading over to Piedmont Park. Grab a few doughnuts from Revolution on the way. Once at Piedmont, you can walk the Beltline, get in exercise AND see the sights: There are little shops, restaurants, an Atlanta Tiny Door to take some pics at… and you can also stop over at Ponce City Market on the Beltline. My husband and I just recently went to Dinkies/Bar Vegan, a new black-owned vegan spot, that was SO GOOD. You could make a day, just being on the Beltline honestly. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my little family! I couldn’t do anything that I do without them. My husband, who gives me the space, honesty and support that I need to create, as well as a keen eye for color and style. Our daughter, who is literally the motivation for everything I do! Shoutout to my mom who always said “You’re a smart girl, you can do it”, even in the most difficult of times, it made me stronger! My sisters who are my sounding boards for ideas, and product testers, and encourage me like only sisters can. And my dad, who taught me work ethic, and creating opportunities for yourself when they don’t appear available.

Website: www.drvarietymarket.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drvmhandmade

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drvarietymarket