Jesse Marlo Lazowski’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and the blending of creative vision with business acumen. From working summer jobs in high school to becoming the founder of the successful jewelry brand Marlo Laz, her path was shaped by diverse experiences and invaluable lessons from both family and mentors.
Lazowski’s journey began with two contrasting summer jobs: working for her father’s parking company and interning at the New York City offices of fashion designer Cynthia Rowley. These experiences taught her everything from operations to fostering a collaborative work environment. With a great-aunt who worked in antique jewelry and a mother skilled in interior design, Lazowski was set on a path that would lead her to jewelry design.
At 22, Lazowski launched her first jewelry company in 2012, calling her lawyers and business advisers from Jaipur, India, to set up her first LLC. After relocating to New York, she found a mentor in a second-generation manufacturer who helped her navigate the jewelry industry.
In 2014, Lazowski rebranded her business and introduced Marlo Laz, first showcasing her creations to friends and hosting trunk shows. The brand quickly gained traction, and by 2019, she opened her first boutique in New York City’s West Village, located just across from where she had worked for Cynthia Rowley years before.
Lazowski believes jewelry is her way of spreading positive messages to the world. “Jewelry is how I make an impact—it’s my voice for spreading messages of goodness, light, and positivity,” she says. Her pieces, often inscribed with empowering words and symbols, are designed to inspire confidence and bring out the inner light in those who wear them.
Raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Lazowski was deeply influenced by her family’s history—her grandparents and great-aunt are Holocaust survivors, and their resilience shaped her worldview. She credits them with instilling a mission to spread positivity, practice gratitude, and find light in dark times.
Lazowski’s time studying in Paris also influenced her jewelry designs, including her signature font for Marlo Laz. Her world travels, which began in high school when she attended boarding school in Switzerland, continued during her time at George Washington University before she transferred to the American University of Paris. There, she earned a degree in art history and communication, and her experiences traveling to over 40 countries enriched her designs.
Starting a jewelry brand without any industry experience was a challenge, but Lazowski embraced the learning process. “Going in naive worked in my favor,” she admits. “It allowed me to create my own company culture and design aesthetic without being influenced by how others did things.”
The brand gained recognition with its signature Porte Bonheur charms, talismanic designs, and unique fonts. These pieces, featuring symbols like lucky stars, were a fresh take on fine jewelry.
Her jewelry has been worn by celebrities like Beyoncé and Sarah Jessica Parker, and even made its way to the White House. Lazowski’s achievements were further celebrated when she received the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame Spotlight award.
“Growing up in a creative yet business-minded household taught me that anything I was passionate about could be turned into a business,” Lazowski reflects. “With the support of people who believed in me, the possibilities became endless.”