Innovation

The Studio's innovation is demonstrated through the donation level of $250 gets you a pair of earrings from Marissa's custom jewellery studio. Marissa stated "The earrings were used as an incentive to have people donating at a higher level". It was only $100 to come to the event she hosted, but the studio really wanted to entice people to donate more and the earrings made donors comfortable with that donation level. Marissa also stated "the costs to my studio were not much more, but it was able to give the Institute a lot more".

Inspiration

The Studio's involvement with the Institute stems from her relationship with Rhonda Weiner who is a member of the organization. Rhonda and Marissa met through a meditation class last year. Rhonda and Marissa quickly grew to become friends. Through their friendship, Marissa learned as she mentions in the interview that Rhonda's friend had died in college through a random act of violence. Marissa also stated, "Rhonda came to me after the recent shootings in Vegas to partner up for an event, and I couldn't say no." Marissa also cares about curbing the need for violence in the world especially since she has three children of her own.

Overall impact

The Studio supports the Melissa Institute which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and prevention of violence through education, community service, research support and consultation. The Institute's impact mission is to prevent violence and promote safer communities through education and application of research-based knowledge.

The impact mission is accomplished in the following ways:

Education

Consultation

Community Service

Research Support

Business benefit

The Studio benefits from a business perspective in that it raises brand awareness through a charitable cause. As Marissa states though "I do not initially participate for my studio, but of course it helped bring the name of my studio to all new people." Customers may purchase jewellery knowing the company supports a good cause. This may help in retaining customers and swaying potential customers from competitors knowing the Studio is morally conscious to support a good cause.

Social and environmental benefit

The Melissa Institute focuses on education in neighborhoods with a low socioeconomic status. As Marissa states "80% of men and women incarcerated are illiterate." The hopes for the Institute is that if they can educate people at a young enough age, that this will help them from "falling on that bad track of violence" as Marissa describes.

A safer society would benefit the entire human population and give ease of mind to everyone in society. The Studio and Institute would both like to see a world without guns and violence. Together they feel that starts with education to help combat violence.

Interview

Marissa Alperin, Owner & Head Designer