Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** In this edition, we sit down with Erika Granger to explore how life’s changing seasons can guide us toward deeper purpose. Her insights offer a thoughtful perspective on navigating transitions with intention.
We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erika Granger. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erika below.
Erika, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As a little girl, I always loved fashion, jewelry, and anything that made me feel beautiful and confident. I also dreamed of owning my own business one day. I studied business and marketing in school and thought I would eventually work in advertising or for a fashion brand. Instead, life led me down a different path, and I built a successful career in corporate America, where I have now spent more than two decades in leadership.
During my healing journey, I found myself reconnecting with the things I had always loved—fashion, jewelry, creativity, and helping women feel beautiful and confident. What began as a passion slowly evolved into purpose.
Then, at 37 years old, my life changed unexpectedly when I lost my first husband. That season forced me to reevaluate everything. It reminded me that life is precious, tomorrow is not promised, and we should not continue putting our dreams on hold. That realization led me to create Neckology 101.
I am the Founder and CEO of Neckology 101, a fashion jewelry and accessories brand created to help women embrace their confidence and boldly express their personal style. While we specialize in statement jewelry and accessories, Neckology 101 is truly about so much more than what women wear. Our mission is to inspire women—particularly women in midlife—to rediscover themselves, embrace every season of life, and understand that confidence and style have no age limit.
One of the things that makes Neckology 101 special is that we have built more than a brand—we are building a community. I affectionately call our community the “Bold Beauties,” because we believe every woman deserves to feel bold, beautiful, and confident exactly as she is. At the heart of everything we do is a simple message: Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be You.
In addition to running Neckology 101, I continue to serve in corporate leadership, which gives me a unique perspective on balancing career, entrepreneurship, family, and personal growth. I hope my journey encourages other women to realize that it is never too late to pursue their dreams or reinvent themselves.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Third, continuous learning and adaptability. The world is constantly changing, especially as an entrepreneur. Social media evolves, customer behaviors shift, and new opportunities emerge every day. Being willing to learn, pivot, and embrace new ideas has been incredibly important in both my corporate leadership career and my entrepreneurial journey.
As for what’s next, I am excited about continuing to grow Neckology 101 beyond jewelry into a broader lifestyle and confidence brand. We are expanding our content around fashion, beauty, and styling inspiration for women over 40, while continuing to introduce new collections and create meaningful experiences for our community.
I am also passionate about speaking and would love opportunities to share my journey as a corporate leader, entrepreneur, and founder who turned personal loss into purpose. Topics such as reinvention, confidence, entrepreneurship, leadership, and navigating midlife with intention are especially close to my heart.
For anyone interested in collaborating, partnering, or simply connecting, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me through our website at www.neckology101.com.
