where did the name alex and ani come from
Alex and Ani The firm was founded in 2004 by Carolyn Rafaelian. The name comes from a combination of the first names of Rafaelian's two daughters.[2] The company originally stated that they wanted to produce "bangle bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit".[3] The company first manufactured its jewelry in a factory that was founded by Rafaelian's father in 1966[4] and all materials are made in America.[5] The first retail Alex and Ani store opened in Newport in 2009,[4] and in addition to the stand-alone stores, the jewelry was sold through national departments stores.[6] In 2010 Giovanni Feroce joined the company as CEO and drove the company's expansion, increasing the sales total for the year by more than 20 times its previous annual total.[4][7] In 2015, Harlan Kent became the new president of the company.[8] The company also expanded into Japan.[9] In 2015 the firm launched its first mobile app,[10] which was downloaded 80,000 times in its first three weeks. In addition to serving as a mobile sales platform, Digiday wrote that "Alex and Ani’s lifestyle content, like motivational quotes and articles that explore the meanings behind different bracelet charms, takes center stage in the app."[11] The company’s revenue grew from $5 million in 2010 to over $500 million in 2016. The company’s CHARITY BY DESIGN initiative, where 20% of sales go to charity, makes up 20% of sales.[12] The company began opening its stores in top markets like California and New York; by the end of the year, they should number more than 80.[13] A big push is abroad; sales outside the U.S. account for only 10% of Alex and Ani's revenues. Rafaelian expects this to double by 2020, which means competing in foreign markets.[13]