Rouge Hoops: A Business Born from Love
Rouge Hoops, specializing in unique handmade earrings inspired by New York City, will be at the local small business pop-up at the Bollinger Forum through Friday, April 18. Read the story behind Rouge Hoops from its founder, Raysa Veras.
This local business initiative is in collaboration with the Lee C. Bollinger Forum at Columbia University.
Since Raysa Veras was a child, she's always loved accessories. Although her professional background is in social work, she decided to take classes to learn how to create the accessories she had always imagined and wanted to give to her friends.
Rouge Hoops emerged during a very special and emotional time in Raysa's life. In 2017, her father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. During those difficult times, she spent many hours at the hospital in New York with him. Creating accessories became her therapy during the long nights at the hospital. With the support of the medical staff, Raysa set up a small jewelry workshop in her father’s hospital room, and it was thanks to them that the first designs of Rouge Hoops began to sell.
Today, Rouge Hoops operates from Raysa's home in the Bronx, New York. She makes 80% of her sales online and the remaining 20% through direct sales and community events. But her business is more than just accessories. She is also dedicated to supporting women with cancer in the Bronx through monthly classes on how to create their own accessories. These sessions serve as art therapy, helping to improve mobility and relaxation, while creating a supportive environment for them to find comfort and strength.
As an immigrant woman from the Dominican Republic, Raysa is committed to empowering women, immigrants, and marginalized communities. Rouge Hoops is a testament to the strength, resilience, and creativity of these individuals, and each of her creations is dedicated to the women who work hard to build a better future for themselves and their families.
