Studs opened its first piercing studio in New York’s Nolita neighbourhood in November 2019. Just months later, the pandemic forced it to close its doors, pushing co-founders Anna Harman and Lisa Bubbers to focus on building an e-commerce business and keeping customers engaged through jewellery, styling and educational content.

Today, the brand has more than 30 locations across the US. That expansion has required a shift from founders overseeing almost every detail to teams working within clear operating standards. Long term, the ambition is to make Studs the first brand customers think of for piercing and earrings, while protecting the quality and trust behind its growth.

In this interview with Inside Retail, Harman discusses her move into retail, the challenges of nationwide expansion and her long-term ambitions for Studs.

Inside Retail: Prior to launching Studs, please delve into your career background. In what ways has your professional experience aided you in your current role as a brand founder and CEO?

Anna Harman: Before Studs, I worked across law, asset management and startup operations. I started as a mutual fund formation lawyer, then joined Bridgewater Associates before moving into operating roles at consumer businesses, including Fitz and Walmart’s Store No. Eight.

The common thread was learning how to turn complex problems into practical steps forward. That has been incredibly useful in building Studs. Retail brings together so many disciplines: real estate, finance, people, inventory and customer experience. My background gave me a strong operational foundation and an appreciation for the discipline required to support a creative brand.

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