Texas Women To Watch 2019: Cassandra King Polidori of CassandraCollections

Cassandra King Polidori with her CassandraCollections display at Fashion X Austin, 2019. Imagery courtesy of Cassandra King Polidori.

I want CassandraCollections to help make women of all ages feel beautiful, confident and special. Jewelry is the ultimate symbol of femininity and a way for us to show our individual personalities to the world.

–Cassandra King Polidori

What was the defining moment in your past that set you on the career path you ended up following? 

Nearly 10 years ago, I came to an unforeseen impasse in my career. I had to decide whether I should return to my previous field in which I was trained and comfortable or take a huge leap of faith and pursue something completely new: designing jewelry. It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done, but I can’t imagine doing anything else now.

CassandraCollections ‘Aurelia Earrings’ seen on the runway at Fashion X Austin, 2019

What makes you unique in your industry?

I have worn jewelry my whole life and never once been repeatedly complimented about a particular piece, until I started creating my own. When I designed the first CassandraCollections ring, I was being stopped everywhere I went – from a boutique while out shopping, to Whole Foods while out getting groceries. This made me realize I had something that stood apart in the industry, and it’s why I continued expanding my jewelry line. Every piece is still handmade, no molding or casting, which makes each piece unique. It’s something everyone wants and appreciates in jewelry.

What is one way you hope to impact your community in the future, either personally or professionally?

My Texas community has propelled me to where I am today, so as a born-and-raised Texan, it’s extremely important for me to give back to my community. I donate over $10,000 worth of jewelry every year to Texas charities and give my time and energy to various Austin charities throughout the year. My hope is to give back more and more as my company continues to grow.

Cassandra and her daughter, Aurelia.

If you could sit down with any woman in the world–either from history or who is currently living–who would that be and what would you discuss with her?

I think it would be Audrey Hepburn. To me, she is the definition of poise, grace and elegance. And what I find most admirable, is how she used her fame later in life to improve the lives of so many through her humanitarian work. She won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work with UNICEF, and would have done so much more if she had not lost her battle with cancer at the young age of 63. If I could choose two… I’d have to say my grandmother, Nana. I’d give anything to talk to her one more time and introduce her to my daughter and husband. She was an incredible woman and worked hard for her family all of her life, always with a smile on her face. She is my ultimate hero.

Connect with Cassandra King Polidori at CassandraCollections.com, on LinkedIn, on Facebook and on Instagram @cassandracollections.

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Edited from an interview by Eleanora Morrison.