Meet Amy Peterson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amy Peterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amy, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism comes from experience. I’ve faced enough challenges to know that things usually work out — maybe not exactly how I planned, but often in a way that still moves me forward. As an entrepreneur, optimism isn’t optional — it’s essential. We have to believe that things will get better, that the next opportunity is just around the corner. That mindset is what carries us through the tricky times, when the path isn’t clear but giving up isn’t an option. My optimism is grounded in resilience, belief in progress, and the drive to keep building, no matter what. My favorite saying is “Just keep swimming”

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of Rebel Nell, a social enterprise in Detroit that employs, trains, and supports women with barriers to employment. Our jewelry is made from repurposed materials like fallen graffiti, but our true product is empowerment — building confidence, independence, and opportunity through dignified work.

One of the most exciting things we’re doing right now is launching on-site activations — experiences that bring the heart of Rebel Nell directly into people’s spaces. Whether it’s a corporate event, a celebration, or a community gathering, we now offer interactive ways for guests to connect with our story and mission in a hands-on way.

We offer two core experiences: our “Design Your Own Gift” station and our “Mural-Making” activation. “Design Your Own Gift” gives guests the opportunity to create a piece of jewelry or accessory using our signature materials — a creative, personal takeaway that becomes a meaningful gift or memento. It’s perfect for employee appreciation events, large scale events, sponsorship activations, weddings, galas, or branded pop-ups.

Our “Mural-Making” experience is especially powerful for team building and milestone moments. We guide participants in creating a collective mural using layered graffiti fragments — each person contributes to a shared piece that symbolizes growth, collaboration, and transformation. It’s tactile, collaborative, and rooted in purpose — ideal for organizations marking key events, anniversaries, or internal initiatives around culture and inclusion.

These activations aren’t just about crafting — they’re about storytelling. They allow people to connect with Rebel Nell’s mission in real time, meet the women behind the work, and see how something discarded — whether it’s graffiti or a life path — can be transformed into something powerful and lasting.

We’re excited to grow this offering and partner with companies and communities who want to bring more purpose and creativity into their spaces. At the end of the day, Rebel Nell is about transformation — and now, we’re letting more people be part of that process.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three things have made a huge impact on my journey:

1. Staying open-minded. Opportunities rarely show up in the form you expect. Being open has allowed me to take unexpected paths, learn from people I didn’t see coming, and find value in situations that didn’t go as planned. For anyone early in their journey — stay curious, listen more than you talk, and don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know everything. That mindset creates space for real growth.

2. Being ready to pivot. No matter how solid your plan is, something will shift — the market, tariffs, your team, the world. Flexibility isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary. Learn to read the signs, let go of what’s not working, and don’t take it personally when the plan changes. Adaptability is one of the most important traits you can develop.

3. Not getting stuck in the highs or the lows. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. One day you feel unstoppable, the next you’re questioning everything. I’ve learned not to get too emotionally attached to either end. Celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, and remember: this too shall pass. The key is to keep showing up.

If you’re just starting out, focus on building your mindset as much as your skill set. The tools will come, but the way you think — that’s what carries you through.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to stop chasing the small stuff. For a long time, we were holding onto our wholesale business — even though it wasn’t aligning with our goals, stretching our team thin, and diluting our brand. Recently, we made the decision to let go of wholesale entirely, except for large or existing clients.

It wasn’t easy to walk away from what had once been a key revenue stream. But we realized that the time, energy, and effort it took to maintain wholesale accounts was just as much — if not more — than what we put into our corporate orders, which have a much stronger return and brand alignment. We also couldn’t protect the brand experience through wholesale in the way we wanted. The juice just wasn’t worth the squeeze.

Shifting that energy into corporate partnerships has been a game-changer. It’s more aligned with our mission, more sustainable for our team, and ultimately more impactful. This kind of decision isn’t for every business — but it was the right move for ours. The growth came from recognizing that saying no can open the door to bigger yeses.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your