Alumni

Grad is the Creative Force Behind Jewelry Line SCOTCHBONNET!

Graduate Tracey-Renee Hubbard received a Bachelor’s degree and MBA from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University prior to a successful sales career in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. After studying Merchandise Product Development at FIDM’s San Francisco campus, she received a Professional Designation degree in 2018. As the Founder and Creative Director of SCOTCHBONNET!, a bold and vibrant accessories brand based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she was recently named as one of 20 recipients who will receive a $5,000 grant from JOANN Stores via their first Minority Grant Program. We recently chatted with Tracey-Renee to learn more about her creative journey.

Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the rumors are true, there are lots of cows, lots of cheese, and lots of cold weather!

Did you show signs of creativity early on? I’ve always loved art, crafting, and making things. I was lucky that I grew up in a family where that creativity was nurtured from a very young age. Starting in elementary school, my parents found an art program for me to participate in on Saturday mornings, and I was always working on some type of arts and craft project at home. I grew up watching my Mom make beautiful things for our home, seeing my Dad build stuff in his workshop, and watching my Grandma sew and listening to my talented brother play jazz music. Art and creativity is definitely a part of my DNA. I started making jewelry because I could not find earrings that were big and bold, but also lightweight and easy to wear. I instantly fell in love with the process and I have been designing and making jewelry for decades now.

What led you to FIDM after receiving your BS and MBA and entering the workforce? The world changes quickly and I love learning new things! Prior to attending FIDM I worked in Sales, Marketing and Design roles in diverse industries. I loved the creative aspect of those roles, but the output was mostly digital products (or in some cases just numbers on a spreadsheet). I wanted to learn more about the process of developing tangible products and shift to a more tactile creative role.

How did you select your FIDM major and campus? I chose the Merchandise Product Development program because it is a good mix of using the left brain and right brain. I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and start my own brand. The MPD program focuses on the design process from concept to delivering it to the consumer so it was a great fit considering the goal I wanted to accomplish. I was also interested in the MPD program because of the massive toll that the fashion industry takes on the environment and workers around the globe. There are a lot of broken links that need to be fixed to create a more ethical and sustainable supply chain in the fashion industry. The Bay Area is home for now, so it made the San Francisco campus a practical choice for me.

Tell us about SCOTCHBONNET! and the inspiration behind your collection: I chose the name SCOTCHBONNET! for my jewelry brand because scotch bonnet peppers add a distinctively potent spice to Caribbean food, and I feel that my jewelry has the same vibe. My accessories are known for vibrant hues, bold shapes, and eye-catching patterns. I am inspired by the flashiness of 90s hip-hop, the simplicity of modern luxury, and the raw beauty of artisan goods from the African Diaspora. My aesthetic continues to evolve based on the things I love, the places I have been and the community I want to serve. I aim to make pieces that are cherished — special but not so “precious” that they sit in a box stored away for special occasions. Each piece is handmade with love.

How did FIDM help prepare you for being a jewelry designer and business owner? The Merchandise Product Development program taught me to take a pragmatic approach to creativity. It provided me with a foundation for interpreting trends in a way that is true to my brand’s DNA, creating quality products in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner, and positioning my products in a crowded market.

What are the biggest rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship? There is nothing more rewarding than nurturing an idea from concept to completed project. It feels really good to be involved in every step of the process and to make all the big and small decisions that truly define a product and make it unique. With that being said, it’s also really challenging to be solely responsible for making so many decisions on a daily basis. Additionally, entrepreneurship comes with lots of administrative tasks such as accounting, shipping, and customer service that are very important, but not very fun.

Where do you see the future of SCOTCHBONNET! headed? I am excited about scaling and growing in a way that feels authentic to me and the brand. In 2021, I am excited about working with different materials and introducing some gorgeous new products. It is so fulfilling to share joy through colors and patterns, and infuse love into each handmade piece — I just want to keep having fun with my brand!