Hello! My name’s Sarah Smyth
I started R&R out of my college apartment back in 2016 as a creative way to earn some extra cash. However, with outpouring love and support from my family and friends, what started as a side hustle soon exploded into a full time job & community better known as “Raw & Rebellious.”
A few words about me and where my life began. I grew up in Madison, AL with two loving, world traveling parents and my baby brother, Ethan. I am incredibly thankful for my family for many reasons, and attribute much of my success to their support. I graduated from Auburn University in 2017 with a double major in Rehab and Disability Studies & Spanish, with hopes at becoming a bilingual Occupational Therapist. Of course, nothing every goes to plan, and after graduating and backpacking for a summer, I decided to pursue Raw & Rebellious full time.
I settled in Atlanta for a few years after college, followed by Denver, until recently, where I’ve made the leap and moved to the mountains full time. I’ve truly found a home here, as well as a newfound love of all that the outdoors has to offer. I feel very at peace where I am. As of September 20th, I’m 28, but still a teenie bopper at heart. I’m a Virgo baby, an extrovert with a touch of introversion, and a 7 on the enneagram. When I’m not working, I love doing things in nature, traveling, reading, chasing sunrises and sunsets, spending time with people I love, and occasionally drinking too much tequila.
Since launching my business, I have been fortunate to find myself amongst an amazing network of women. I soon realized I had a unique opportunity to incorporate my love for all things fashion, philanthropy, and travel into something that is bigger than just a jewelry company. I’ve always been a big dreamer; I want R&R to be a brand, an experience, and a way of life that people truly believe in. Most importantly, though, I want Raw & Rebellious to be a community that people feel a part of, connected to, and accepted by. This was the main reason why I created my podcast, Raw Intentions, to further the intimacy in which we connect with our audience.
As I grow older, change, learn, and experience life, I want the brand to evolve with me. Although I have no “business plan” or any clue where we’ll be 5 years from now, I hope to continue to spend my days creating & building things I’m passionate about. I’m a big dreamer, and have new ideas each day. What began as a jewelry company 7 years ago, is now a wide array of products that stay true to where I am in my life and what I love.
Rebellious Ski Club, our most recent facet of R&R, is just that- a passion project. Growing up in Alabama, snow and skiing weren’t things I was familiar with. Since living in Colorado for 3 years, I’ve fallen head over heels inlove with it. The views, the thrill, the beauty, and the comradery of it all. Skiing, like other sports, brings community as a big part of the overall experience. I found the space to be a bit intimidating, and at times very exclusive. I felt frowned upon for not knowing lingo, having a lower skill set, and not being able to keep up. Learning to ski was a humbling task, and being bad at something when you’re surrounded by experts can be trying. Don’t we all want to feel cool & accepted in all that we do? Hence the creation of Rebellious Ski Club; a business under the umbrella of Raw & Rebellious. Rebellious Ski Club is an apparel & accessory line dedicated to simultaneously make you laugh, keep you cozy, and elevate your steeze. Whether you’ve skied your entire life, can barely get down the mountain alive, or prefer to drink at the base of the mountain, this club is for you. Membership is complimentary with the purchase of any of our RSC products, and we’ve got big plans for where this will go. So stay tuned and welcome to the club!
Each of our products are handmade, packed, and shipped in Atlanta, Georgia, with the intention of a brand that embraces everyone, regardless of shape, size, color, and chromosome. It takes a village, and we have an incredible team of R&R ladies that I have the privilege to work along side and constantly learn from. R&R wouldn’t be where it is today without them, or without our amazing community. So thank you SO MUCH for the outpouring of love and support. We get to do what we love each day because of each of YOU, and for that, we are endlessly grateful. We can’t wait to continue this journey together!
xo, Sarah Smyth