REALM FINe JEWELRY
Model turned Construction CEO Monica Miraglilo does more than build homes. She helps women build their futures.
While modeling for QVC, Monica Miraglilo saw many an entrepreneur turn their dreams into thriving businesses. Inspired, she started a custom pillow business of her own, then began designing residential and commercial properties for a Philadelphia builder. “At that time, there were so few women in my circle,” says Monica. “Yet I knew there was a female construction community. I knew there were women working as plumbers, as carpenters, installing tile. There just wasn’t a collective space for us yet. It sparked my interest and I decided to create a platform that could embrace women like me.”
And so GirlBuild® was born. Through classes, community and coaching, GirlBuild® equips women with the tools they need to build their confidence, independence and homes. It is the only program of its kind that empowers girls to transform their communities and influence the future of our nation.
“Men dominate the building and development industry,” says Monica, “but women are builders too. We build families, we build relationships, we build homes.”
My personal relationship with Monica goes back to her time at QVC. I was designing Ann King Design for QVC—and she was modeling my jewelry on air! As young etrepreneurs, we had no idea that decades later we'd reconnect. Fast forward to today. I’m designing REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry and Monica is our newest Real Woman of REALM. The journey she has traveled during that time has made her even more beautiful, both inside and out.
It is also interesting how the symbolism of REALM’s collections dovetail so perfectly with Monica and her world right now. Such as our DOMAIN collection, which represents Home + Protection + Life. There are the homes Monica builds with her hands, and the home she's built with her heart. And also, our INSIGNIA collection, symbolizing Family + Bond + Power, and the strength we draw from that. Similarly, Monica credits her own success and strength to a foundation of faith, family and love.
“No matter what you’re doing in life, you can’t build anything without a firm foundation," notes Monica. "That’s true for houses and for relationships.”
I am so in awe of the life Monica has built. She’s nurtured a beautiful family, created a unique community and heads a dynamic business. Here, she bares her soul as she shares her story, style and words of wisdom with us in a way that uplifts and inspires. I think you will find, as I have, that she is truly a gem.
Ann King Lagos
Founder/Designer
REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry
Q + A WITH MONICA
What do you do for work?
Short answer: I’m a fashion model, CEO, Construction Designer, wife and mom.
Long answer: When it comes to business, I wear a couple of hats. In 1988 I started modeling which was great and a base for me making so many incredible relationships. I was able to travel the world, explore different cultures and meet people from all different walks of life. After I had my daughter, I wanted to make sure that I had a reliable income, so I took up residency at QVC, and while there was exposed to even more designers and more people. Seeing so many businesses break into sales inspired me to start thinking about what I could create on my own. At the time I was taking small design gigs on the side, helping friends pick out tile for their kitchens and fabric for their curtains. I realized I had a passion for design, and in 2006 I started my first business, Fill-A-Pillow. Shoppers could come in and pick out their own fabric and have custom pillows made the same day! We eventually expanded and started to do window treatments, outdoor cushions and anything home related that had to do with beautiful fabrics.
Business was good but when the recession hit, it didn’t survive. Luckily, by that time I had met a formidable builder in the Philadelphia area. He was impressed with my design aesthetic and asked me if I would consider working with him. Next thing I knew I was designing residential and commercial properties full time. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy. Working on site with a crew is very different from doing a couple of household handyman jobs. I wasn’t immediately welcomed. It took time to build trust with my peers—all of whom were men. There were so few women in my circle and if they were around, they almost always had a job in administration. Yet I knew there was a female construction community. I knew there were women working as plumbers, as carpenters, installing tile. There just wasn’t a collective space for us yet. So, it sparked my interest and I decided to create a platform that could embrace women like me.
With that thought in mind, I started GirlBuild® as a way to bridge that community and equip women with the tools they need to build their confidence, independence and homes.