NICK BLUM, DESIGNER

Art, music, design, it's all one thing to Nick. "I believe in expressing yourself through style." And Nick has been doing that for as long as he can remember. "I started by reinterpreting the things around me: personal computers, stereo equipment, and other electronics. I was probably 10 at the time, but I loved making futuristic designs from clean, basic shapes and strong lines."

At 12, Nick fell in love with the energy of the graphics on wake boards and skate boards and filled notebooks with his own designs. "Whenever my mind wasn't focused, I was sketching. But I was frustrated, because I couldn't make the things I saw. They all just stayed in a book."

Then Nick visited a family friend's jewelry store, and it all clicked. "It's how personal jewelry is. It's not something over there; it's right here, on you, like a tattoo — something that says, this is who I am." From that moment on, Nick devoted himself to making his designs come to life. Nick studied at the Gemological Institute of America because, "I wanted to make sure the images I saw in my head would have integrity when cast."

Now 22, Nick's vision is fully solidified. "Men are asked to be a lot of things, but I believe the essence of men is strength. Men shouldn't have to hide it. I want them to be able to express it."

The strong shouldered shapes Nick has seen all his life, are now cast in white and yellow gold and heavily jeweled. The first pieces debuted at the prestigious 2007 JCK Design Center in Las Vegas. "I'm really humbled to be chosen. I've been wanting to get these designs out for a long time. And now it's happening."

CARLI BLUM, PRESIDENT

From age 7, Carli knew that she was going to Purdue University to become an engineer. "At 7 I didn't know what that meant. I just wanted to be like my dad."

Carli graduated from Purdue in 2005 as planned with a degree in industrial engineering. "I was always into math and science and understanding how things worked."

Though just 24, Carli has arguably been working in metals manufacturing for more than a decade. "My Dad started a business making cryogenic tanker trailers in 1993. As a teenager, I started learning the business from the secretaries and worked my way around the company."

Carli got the convincing she needed to start BlumLux shortly after Nick created his first prototypes. "I couldn't believe people's reaction, so I did some market research and began to understand there was a real need. "

As for running a business, Carli says, "I always wanted to have a passion for something like Nick does." And now she does. "I'm an organized, structured person who thrives on the edge of chaos." When asked how a 24 year-old can be an effective President she responds, "I surround myself with smart people who have minds of their own." And when someone does greet her with, "I thought you'd be older, "she flatly replies, "Yes. Now here's what I want."

LISA WEST, VP MARKETING

Lisa has worked for companies as diverse as Cingular Wireless and Microsoft, and with a client list of companies spanning across all industries such as John Deere, Wilson Sporting Goods and Conoco Oil. In those 14 years she has learned the importance of what she calls "practicing paranoia." "Always look for the unexpected," Lisa states, "and you'll find opportunities everywhere."

Though she has served companies in all stages of their life-cycle, Lisa has developed an expertise and affinity for launching new companies and new products. "It's personally gratifying to help customers connect with a new product," explains Lisa. " So many products today don't survive simply because potential customers didn't have the chance to experience them."

Lisa's approach focuses on integrated project planning to creating as many opportunities as possible to intersect with potential customers. "It's been a real pleasure helping Nick present his ideas to the world. He's extremely talented, and I'm confident people will really respond to his work."