#148: Madeline Fraser, Founder and CEO of Gemist, a Customizable Jewelry Company, on Being a Three-Time Founder, Raising Millions in Venture Capital, Getting on Shark Tank, and Disrupting Industries

Aug 20, 2020

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Madeline Fraser is the founder and CEO of Gemist. She is a serial entrepreneur and big thinker who loves creating consumer facing technology that solves a big problem. Over the past five years she has created and grown multiple start-ups. Raising millions in funding for ideas she believes will make our world so much easier. She started her first company while attending George Washington University in 2013, called Zoom Interiors. It was the first online interior design company that let you work with a designer virtually to furnish your apartment. The company grew quickly and landed a segment on ABC's Shark Tank. In 2015, she created Hutch, a mobile app that disrupted the furniture industry with a tech platform where you can try furniture on in your home before you buy. Hutch has grown quickly with funding through Series B.

Gemist is disrupting the jewelry industry and completely changing how you shop for it online. The site and app are literally giving you the power to design your own jewelry, offering a 100% customizable experience with options for the cut, setting, metal, stone, color, style, band, and size. Through its unique “Try-On” feature, the brand will send you Gemist rings straight to your home at no cost so you can be sure the fit, look, feel, and experience is exactly what you want before buying. All stones and jewelry are ethically sourced and handcrafted locally in Downtown Los Angeles.

Connect with Madeline Fraser

Some of the Topics Covered by Madeline Fraser in this Episode

What is Gemist and the pain point that led to Madeline founding it
Madeline's entrepreneurial nature and founding her first company during college
Getting Zoom Interiors, the first online interior design platform, onto Shark Tank
Getting Sean Rad (founder of Tinder) as an advisor and the chairman of their board
Transitioning from Zoom Interiors to Hutch
Madeline's mantra as an entrepreneur
The benefits of having a co-founder and an advisor
Roles and responsibilities of multiple founders for Hutch
Fundraising $17M for Hutch
Transitioning from Hutch to Gemist
The importance of a pitch deck
Starting Gemist and fundraising through angel investors and VC firms
What's been different for Madeline as she builds her third company
Madeline's advice for finding a manufacturer
Embracing fear and finding your inner power
How Madeline has grown Gemist and connecting with consumers
Executing "try before you buy"
The story behind Gemist's name
How COVID has impacted Gemist
Gemist's approach to customer acquisition
The big vision for Gemist
How Gemist was able to partner with De Beers Jewelers
How Madeline recharges from work
Managing the emotional extremes of entrepreneurship

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