ACE 2026 Legacy - Melinda Maria, 20 Years

As Melinda Maria Jewelry celebrates two decades of design innovation, founder Melinda Maria Spigel stands out as a model of entrepreneurial vision and resilience. Fresh from a 2025 win at the Accessories Council Design Excellence Awards, Melinda has built a brand that marries bold creativity with accessible luxury, proving that ingenuity and determination can turn a passion into a lasting enterprise.

Melinda’s rise reflects a modern entrepreneur’s blueprint, tenacity, adaptability, and a hands-on approach. “I was 29, juggling work as a production assistant, makeup artist, and jewelry maker wherever I could,” she recalled. “I’d sit at Starbucks, near the drink pickup area, and sell jewelry straight off the table. I’ve always been scrappy.”

See the full article or explore the entire 2026 ACE Magazine here.