The ART in Jewlery

A few questions for AZU founder and president Hannah Garrison

by Kaleem Clarkson

1.    Can you give us a little history of your background and something people should know about yourself?
I am the founder and CEO of AZU LLC, an environmentally conscious company that produces fine handcrafted jewelry. I also provide design and strategic marketing consultation for client companies aiming to “go green or go good” through charitable contributions or reuse of materials.  I am a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Columbia University in Anthropology, Garrison. 

 2.  How did AZU get started and why?  
AZU began as a company committed to providing fine jewelry that was socially conscious without sacrificing quality.  But the history that comes before that isn't the most traditional.  I didn't study jewelry in any formal way, in fact, I studied anthropology.  However, the concept of adornment was one that resonated with me.  Only after I had begun did I find out that my great-grandfather was a diamond dealer on 47th street.  I might have had it in my blood.  But I really want to use a different business model and create things that are good and do good in some way, philanthropy, environmentally, it doesn't feel right without it.

3.     What is your biggest achievement or major accomplishment since the organization was founded?  Wow, that is a tough question.  I think that being able to support myself doing something I feel good about makes it all worthwhile.

4.     What were your biggest obstacles in obtaining to your goals?
Leaning to become the boss and still be creative.  Running a business involved a lot of work that is NOT creative, but very important.  I have had to learn, and am constantly re-learning, how to balance the two.

5.     What CDs have you’re purchased recently or downloaded?
Well, I work with a lot of musicians and industry people and they are always sending me stuff to check out. My tastes vary widely.  I like really hokey country songs in the car, dance hall or hip hop at the gym, Nina Simone, Etta James or blues vocalists in my shop, ambient as background during the day.  Actually the last thing I downloaded was a guided meditation.

6.     What community issue or social cause is most important to you personally?
There is really no way to pick just one.  Our rights as people are important to me; I don't want to lose those that we have.  But also right now I am thinking a lot about racism and artist-provoked gentrification.  I grew up in NYC, I traveled and lived in other countries, moved back to NYC and then recently moved to Providence, RI.  I am watching all the old abandoned buildings turn into "artist" living spaces, but I don't see many of the people as artists.  The artists were the ones who were living here before, interacting with the communities, and living their lives.  Now it is different, there is a big economic and racial divide.  I am not saying I know what to do, but just that I have been noticing it and I see it happening in a lot of communities.           

7.     What has AZU done to give back to the community?
AZU has a few projects that give back to the community on a small scale, and on a greater one. There are little things about the way we do business that we see as sustaining the community. First of all, we like to hire local businesses, whether it is for printing something or producing something.  We also try to actively donate to events and organizations in our area. Most of the time we gift pieces of jewelry which then go into auctions or raffles to raise money for a variety of needs.  On another level our community is a global one and AZU is also trying to make a difference on a larger level.  One of AZU's latest collections is called Coral Relief and is all about raising awareness about the coral reefs that are being destroyed.  For a long time the jewelry industry has been a main contributor to this destruction, so now it is kind of a part of our role to help raise awareness so that people stop buying coral jewelry and thus the demand for it slows.  A percentage of the profits from Coral Relief also go to organizations that support these types of efforts"

8.   What do you think of Concepts4Charity and our mission of engaging youth in philanthropy through sports and the arts?
I think that youth is where it all begins.  The youth grow into the people in the communities that make the decisions.  If we get kids to learn about giving, and not just money, I mean time, I mean caring, then maybe it will stick.  And as kids, there are the art kids and the sport kids, I mean there is some crossover, but if you reach out through those two areas, you are bound to strike gold. 

9.     Where do you see AZU in Ten Years?
I see AZU continuing to grow, but without losing site of the original goals.  Our slogan is "Tread Lightly and wear a Big Rock."  I think that pretty much sums it up.

10.  Is there anything else you would like to add?
A quote I have always liked: 

     "If the intention is to play a useful role in society in order to support oneself and to help others, then the work one does is right livelihood."