Shop Small is a monthly series highlighting small business owners from diverse backgrounds. This series aims to go deeper than your typical product roundup, diving into the inspirational stories behind some of our favorite brands. By taking a behind-the-scenes look at how their shops came to be and highlighting the products they (and their shoppers!) love, we hope to put a deserving spotlight on these marginalized business owners.
Jewelry designer Trisha Okubo's mother was one of Silicon Valley's first female engineers, so it’s no surprise that she began her career in the tech world. She climbed the ranks at companies like eBay Fashion, where she served as global product manager.
But during her downtime, Trisha found joy tapping into her creative side. She managed to carve out time to study fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. During a year off, she discovered jewelry design and quickly became hooked.
Fast forward to 2016, when Okubo founded the jewelry brand, Miru. Known for its Nap Earrings, which have flat backs that are typically used for cartilage piercings instead of traditional earring backs, the Miru collection ranges from titanium hoops to hypoallergenic bangles. Plus, they're easy to mix and match—much like a makeup palette. "No matter what, it all goes together," Okubo says.
Here, Okubo gives us a glimpse into her world, sharing about Miru's early days, the brand's most popular jewelry designs, and her commitment to sustainability.
Shop Miru
How did you come to launch Miru?
I grew up in Silicon Valley, studied engineering in college, and went to fashion school at night. I started my career in tech, but I also worked at eBay Fashion and fashion startups. I basically lived a double life for a number of years.
Eventually, I quit my jobs and took a gap year. Then, I tried a bunch of different things and jewelry really stuck. I love the beauty of jewelry and making things with my hands. I can come up with an idea, sit on a bench, and actually turn it into a reality without getting up.
What are Miru’s main selling points?
When it came to jewelry, I didn't find anything out there that I liked. Miru is not fast-fashion jewelry, but it's also not so expensive that I'm afraid to wear it. There's something so beautiful about the idea of a palette that's not just for kids. It's for adults to play as well. This was happening in beauty, but not on the jewelry side, especially if you don't know how to put stuff together. I made the jewelry collection really easy to use. No matter what, it all goes together.
Do you have an ideal customer in mind?
I don't have one ideal customer. By nature, jewelry is inclusive and doesn't discriminate in the way clothing can. I want this brand to be inclusive.
How does your culture influence the brand?
I'm half Japanese, half Chinese, and I grew up fully American, which means I’ve always felt like an outsider, no matter where I am. My Asian friends see me as very Americanized, and the rest of the world sees me as an Other, and I never really felt like I had a place where I really belonged. That’s why it was so important to make Miru a place where everyone belongs—we make jewelry for her, for him, for them, for everyone.
I've also always been very inspired by my family. My mother was one of the very earliest engineers. She was an aerospace engineer and dealt with a lot of discrimination and sexism, and she always encouraged me.
What's the significance of the brand's name?
“Miru” is the Japanese word for “to see.” I've always loved the Japanese focus on attention to detail and doing things better. I want to encourage people to open their eyes and embrace creativity, because when you look at what's going on in the world, we need more connection and community. I'm not going to solve world hunger, but what I can do is bring people together. I can encourage people to actually be creative.
What were some of Miru's early jewelry designs and what's most popular now?
We launched with the Ear Bar in 2016, and it included traditional studs, hoops, and ear cuffs. This was before piercings went mainstream. Thanks to requests from the piercing community, we also started making flat backs, which were traditionally used for cartilage piercings. For the first time, we started making them for regular lobe piercings, and we call them Nap Earrings. They’re designed to leave in 24/7, so you never have to take them out. They’re made of titanium, which is durable for everyday wear and well suited to sensitive ears.
Our lightweight titanium hoops are another customer favorite. I’ve been drawn to bigger, more sculptural shapes, and titanium lets us create dramatic earrings without the weight. I don’t think wearing something beautiful should mean putting up with sore earlobes.
Together, Nap Earrings and hoops create a foundation you can live in. Keep it constant or add to it over time. I like to say, “Your stack is your self-portrait.”
Is there one Miru piece that you wear regularly?
I wear the Signet Ring all the time. I purposely made the Signet Ring blank, because I wanted it to represent possibility. It's not just about looking at the past. It's also adjustable, so I can move it around to different fingers.
How do you think about sustainability when designing jewelry?
For me, it starts with a question: Will you still want to wear this, and will it still feel like you years from now? That means considering not only aesthetics, but also materials, durability, and how they feel on you all day. We use titanium for its lightness and durability, but comfort matters just as much. If earrings hurt your ears or feel heavy by snack time, you’re probably not going to reach for them the next morning.
I also think about how a new piece works with what you already own. You should be able to unlock all sorts of possibilities just by adding a hoop or changing a stud. My goal is to make pieces that earn a lasting place in your life.
What’s next for Miru?
We turned 10 this year and rebranded, distilling Maison Miru to its essence: Miru. That milestone made me reflect on why I started the company at my kitchen table—to create jewelry that makes it easy for you to be you.
I’ve always thought of my stack as a self-portrait—a snapshot of who I am in a particular moment, evolving with me. That idea still guides everything we do. What’s next is an even more expanded treasure trove of jewelry you actually want to live in. Nap Earrings were the starting point: a small design change that made everyday life more comfortable. We’re bringing that same creative problem solving to more sculptural pieces; jewelry with gravitas that’s also remarkably comfortable to wear.
