By Sandy Strickland
The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) Sisters Danielle Snyder and Jodie Snyder Morel shared stories of how they launched their New York-based business, known as Dannijo, during the recession in 2008. Despite the economic downturn, they found that women were turning to accessories to update their signature black dress or dress-up jeans and a T-shirt. The Snyder sisters were just part of an all star line-up at an event honoring women in business.
The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville
Sisters Danielle Snyder and Jodie Snyder Morel described how they used their hometown of Jacksonville as a jumping-off point for their jewelry-design business at the Times-Union’s EVE Awards luncheon Thursday.
They went from seeing their peers at The Bolles School wearing their handmade pieces to spotting celebrities sporting their necklaces on Hollywood red carpets.
While in their early teens, they used their cardiologist father’s old surgical tools to fashion pieces they sold to local retailers.
Snyder and Morel spoke to a capacity crowd of about 600 people who came to honor the 2016 EVE winners at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Frank Denton, Times-Union editor, introduced the women receiving golden apples at the 47th awards ceremony that honors Jacksonville-area women for their work during the past year.
In education, the winner was Nadia Hionides, founder and principal of The Foundation Academy. In volunteer service, it was Barbara Drake, treasurer of JASMYN, and in employment, Sherry Magill, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.
The EVE winners were selected from 11 finalists and chosen by a panel of judges drawn from former winners.
Courtenay Wilson, who has been called the quintessential community trustee, was the recipient of the Arnolta J. “Mama” Williams Lifetime Achievement Award.
The sisters shared stories of how they launched their New York-based business, known as Dannijo, during the recession in 2008.
Despite the economic downtown, they found that women were turning to accessories to update their signature black dress or dress-up jeans and a T-shirt.
They grew up using Facebook and used social media and the digital movement to promote their brand.
They spoke, too, about the philanthropic side of their business and how much it meant to them. Their packaging is handmade in Rwanda by women’s cooperatives, and Dannijo has advocated creating economic opportunity for women in underdeveloped areas of the world.
They told, too, of some of the life lessons they’ve learned, such as following your passions, building a network, testing the local market, using the internet, being comfortable with rejection, not taking yourself too seriously, working hard and playing hard.
“We’re excited to be back home where it all began,” Danielle said, calling it one of the most valuable periods of their journey to success.
