On International Women’s Day, we’re kicking off MIRACO’s Female Founders’ Club series by chatting with our very own founder, Samira Baraki. Have you always wondered what it feels like to launch your own business, and what it takes to keep it going through the ups and downs that entrepreneurship can offer? Female Founders’ Club asks what makes a founder sparkle, from the inside out.
Samira Baraki founded jewelry and lifestyle brand MIRACO in 2023. Originally from Chicago and born to Ethiopian parents, Samira draws on her Islamic upbringing, love of travel, and close-knit family as sources of motivation and joy in her journey as a business owner. Samira notes that her mother is a major source of inspiration in her love of style and jewelry. “Growing up my mother was always put-together and polished. My lifelong interests in timeless and classic fashion and jewelry are due to her.”
With this passion and love for jewelry, Samira knew she wanted to provide a space where quality and affordable jewelry could be accessible to a wider audience. Thus MIRACO was born. While traveling to Istanbul, Samira worked with jewelry ateliers to create unique designs that reflected her style and the melding of cultures.
We spoke with Samira about her hopes for the Female Founders’ Club, how she gets ready for the day, and what jewelry means to her:
The is the Female Founders’ Club. What does it mean to you to be part of this club?
Well, this is the first Female Founders’ Club, so I’m excited to see where it goes from here! I’m so proud that MIRACO is a woman-of-color founded, women-led company, and I want to inspire others to know that they can follow their own passions to create something beautiful in the world.
What are the things you put on in the morning - clothes, skincare, makeup, jewelry, whatever else - that make you feel ready for the day?
For me, getting ready for the day is all about having the right accessories, especially jewelry. I feel it sets the tone for my day. Even if I am wearing a white tee and jeans or a nice loungewear set, wearing jewelry really makes the outfit. One thing that really makes me feel put together is wearing a pair of earrings.
I always end with a spray of perfume!
What does jewelry mean to you?
Jewelry is about bringing together the elements of your life - culture, heritage, travels - in a way that makes you feel and look good. One of the reasons I was so excited to start MIRACO was to highlight how cultures can blend together, and that’s so beautiful.
I also know that jewelry can feel exclusive, so I wanted to make a brand that felt more inclusive while still making fine jewelry. Fine jewelry is an investment, so I want to show people why it’s worth investing in.
One of the reasons I was so excited to start MIRACO was to highlight how cultures can blend together, and that’s so beautiful.
What is your favorite MIRACO piece and why?
My favorite piece from our first collection is the Serene Bracelet. I love that it comes in a variety of metal colors and with an assortment of diamonds, and that it can be worn alone or stacked. The thing I love most? It’s named after my niece who is an inspiration to me and my biggest cheerleader. I think of her the second I put it on everyday. For me, jewelry is best when it’s personally meaningful, and I try to incorporate that with every MIRACO piece.
