Beth Hutchens has made a career out of transformation and resilience. From her early days co-founding the iconic fashion brand Rebecca Taylor to launching FoundRae, her fine jewelry line that resonates on a deeply personal level, Hutchens embodies a commitment to self-discovery and authenticity. FoundRae is more than just jewelry; it’s a language crafted from symbols that speak to universal aspirations like strength, love, and resilience. Hutchens’ path to entrepreneurship began at just 23, with the launch of Rebecca Taylor, with the line’s namesake as her co-founder. “We just wanted to be in fashion,” she recalls, describing the dream that started with no business plan and a modest $40,000 investment.
That first venture was scrappy and challenging, demanding all she had and more. “Every decision was crucial; if something didn’t work, it could mean the end of the business,” she explains. But there was freedom in that struggle. With a team of mostly women, and a shared dedication to building something together, Hutchens felt fortunate. Yet, after 20 years, she began to feel incomplete. That restlessness, that desire for something more profound, would lead her to FoundRae.
At its core, FoundRae — created in 2015 — was about wholeness and self-expression. “I needed this, and I believed others might, too,” Hutchens says. Starting with symbols she felt drawn to—universal designs that transcended any one culture or religion—Hutchens began to craft a visual language. She wanted symbols that were inclusive, for everyone; each design is carefully chosen. “Symbols are like alphabets,” she says, “and I put them together in a way that is uniquely FoundRae.”
Books and words are a constant source of inspiration for Hutchens. She writes the copy for each symbol herself, hoping to reach people on both conscious and unconscious levels. “Symbols resonate with the unconscious, while language reaches the conscious mind,” she explains.
When asked about mentors, Hutchens doesn’t single out one person. Instead, she sees mentorship as a mosaic of influences. “An ideal mentor is a compilation of everyone who’s crossed your path and embodies qualities you value,” she reflects. It’s a testament to her deep respect for the individual journeys that weave into her own story.
FoundRae began small, just Hutchens and two others, with all the hands-on grit of a startup. She handled everything, from designing to FedEx trips, and even operated out of her living room for a time. But as demand grew, so did the brand. After nine years, FoundRae has expanded to stores in NYC, Miami and Los Angeles each representing not just a business venture but a sanctuary of creativity and shared values. “Building stores has been incredibly creative,” she says, proud of the team she now relies on, especially her CEO, who allows her to focus on the aspects of the business she loves most.
Today, FoundRae has a loyal following — including A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Taylor Swift and Kaia Gerber — and a reputation as a luxury brand that’s as meaningful as it is beautiful. For Hutchens, this journey is about evolving while staying true to herself. “I’ve learned that I can still operate in a heartfelt way, even as the business grows,” she says, grateful for the creative collective she’s nurtured along the way. FoundRae is a brand, but it’s also a belief: that jewelry can be both beautiful and deeply personal, a modern armor for those who seek to live authentically.
