Karla Betances
It is not very common to hear the beginning of a businesses coming from a time of desperation, but that is what makes founder of M-16, Karla Betances such a firecracker.
"I had maxed out my credit card and I couldn't afford to pay the bill," she simply laughs. "I had to actually start making pieces for sale in order to get money. I did my first "bazaar" and sold out of all my pieces - thank God - and was able to it pay off the card!"
Feeling slightly envious because you are in some kind of debt - but have no hidden talents? Don't worry; Karla has had many years of practise in all things jewellery based. From just two months of age she was already rocking baby gems in her ear - showing the other babies how to 'bawl out' in style.
She no doubt owes it all to her Latin roots, as she always had beads, gold and diamond on her mind since she can remember. When she was not drooling over her great grandmother's 14kt gold butterfly necklace, she was taking tips from her DIY ways in order to recreate her own pieces of gold.
"I never took classes of any sort. All I can remember is that since I was very young I always had beads and findings around me. So occasionally - rarely - I would get inspired and would make pieces for myself." However, despite the great compliments she would always receive, she succumbed to the lethal disease common with young teenagers - "I was too lazy to make them for sale."
That was back then and this is now, officially just two months old M-16 is going strong in the tough world of jewellery design, proving to be as elegant as its owner, but maintaining the same edginess as its name. A name that she knew a lot about, thanks to her dad's collection of rifles. "M-16 is the USA official infantry gun - an iconic piece of metal finely sculpted to create a weapon of defence," she recalls as if on cue. "Why not name my brand after such, at times when creating an image and defending yourself is the only way to survive."
Another way Karla defends M-16 is by adorning herself with all its pieces - her slogan being "I sell whatever I wear," followed by an all-star smile. "I MUST ALWAYS have earrings on." She stresses. "Under no circumstances, will I leave the house otherwise." The death stare she has on her face shows, she is not joking around. Opting to only wear the same simple studs, she is obsessed with rings and those, she changes almost every day. When it comes to necklaces, like her earrings, she can be seen in the same 16" M-16 signature skull. However her bracelets have no bounds. "I always have a million on so I can never keep up, but definitely the M-16 hand-pieces would have to be my favourite!" She enthusiastically exudes, thrusting her wrist out triumphantly.
M-16 Jewellery provides affordable high quality jewellery that prides itself on its uniqueness - something Karla knows is a factor behind the companies success so far.
With an owner that prefers Cartier to Tiffany's we have a lot to expect from M-16 Jewellery. "I want M-16 to become like the Jeffrey Campbell of jewellery!"
