From Quarantine Boredom to a 7-Figure Jewelry Empire: How Evangelina Petrakis Skipped College and Built a Brand Her Way

In an interview on The Forbes Top Creator Show with Stephen Bertoni, 21-year-old Evangelina Petrakis shared how a simple quarantine hobby turned into a social media empire and a thriving jewelry business. With over 2 million followers and a direct-to-consumer brand that routinely sells out product drops, Evangelina is proof that you don’t need college credentials to build a scalable, purpose-driven business.

But behind the glossy vlogs and minimalist Instagram grids is a relentless operator — a founder who cold-called manufacturers from her bedroom, bootstrapped her first product line, and learned to “show, not tell” her way into the hearts (and wallets) of her audience. Here’s how she bet on herself — and won.

🎥 The Power of the Second Video

Evangelina’s YouTube channel didn’t start with a viral hit. Her first post? A simple “Get Ready With Me” that only reached friends and family. But her second video — a jewelry collection showcase — changed everything.

“That was what really went viral… It brought me a new audience I didn’t already have,” she shared.

It wasn’t just a fluke. That second video was Evangelina doubling down on what she loved — jewelry — and unintentionally market-testing a niche that would soon become the backbone of her brand.

🏫 Remote Learning, Real-World Scaling

When schools reopened after lockdown, Evangelina had a choice: return to in-person classes or stay remote and build. She chose the latter — not because it was easier, but because she was committed to proving this wasn’t a “pandemic phase.”

“I knew that I wanted to continue building my platform, building my career... not just stop because school was back in session”.

Her parents were supportive — until she dropped a bombshell: she wasn’t going to college. While she'd been accepted to SMU for marketing, she made a calculated decision to skip the traditional path and scale her business instead.

💼 From Tie-Dye Tees to Timeless Jewelry

Evangelina’s first business wasn’t jewelry — it was handmade tie-dye clothing, launched from her garage. She ordered 500 blank units, dyed them with friends and family, and sold out in 24 hours.

“That’s when I realized my audience values my word... and is willing to support me in whatever endeavors I share with them”.

But tie-dye wasn’t scalable or timeless. Jewelry was both. In 2021, she pivoted and launched EP Jewels, grounding it in her lifelong love for accessories and a clear community demand: her comments were flooded with “Where’s your jewelry from?”

🛠️ Building a Brand Without a Blueprint

Evangelina didn’t have a background in fashion or manufacturing. But that didn’t stop her. She attended jewelry trade shows in NYC, Miami, and Vegas, walked Manhattan’s Diamond District, and cold-pitched vendors with handwritten questions.

She designed her first product — a teddy bear necklace, now a bestseller — and scaled operations with a team of 7, including her mother, who acts as both “momager” and COO.

Her approach? “Show, don’t tell.”

“I’m not the type to shove products down someone’s throat. I just show it. If you like it, you’ll find it. It’s an extension of me”.

🤝 Brand Deals + DTC: The Hybrid Monetization Model

Unlike many creators who rely solely on sponsorships, Evangelina keeps her revenue diversified:

• 60% from EP Jewels
• 40% from brand deals (with partners like Neutrogena, Moroccan Oil, and Amika)

What’s more impressive is how she balances both worlds — content creator and entrepreneur — without diluting her brand.

“Most people think I just do my hair and makeup, but they don’t see that I’m in fulfillment meetings, customer service calls, Zooms with manufacturers... I’m in the nitty-gritty of it all”.

🧠 No Trends. No Timers. Just Trust.

One of the most unexpected takeaways from Evangelina’s rise is her unconventional growth strategy. She doesn’t chase trends, follow strict post schedules, or obsess over platform algorithms.

“I’ll post at 1 a.m., go to bed, and wake up with a million views. If the content is good, it’ll work. Just post”.

What she does do is stay consistent, trust her instincts, and focus on serving her loyal community — not impressing the algorithm.

👩‍🎓 Advice for the 16-Year-Old Creator Inside You

Evangelina knows her story sounds like a dream — but she’s quick to remind you: it wasn’t luck, it was consistent, patient effort.

“Start now. Make it perfect as you go. Don’t wait for the right time — there’s no such thing”.

Her story is proof that early-stage entrepreneurs don’t need credentials, funding, or even a formal education. What you do need is a point of view, a product you believe in, and the guts to put yourself out there.

📈 Where She’s Headed Next

Next up? Merging her personal content with behind-the-scenes brand-building. She’s planning a weekly video series answering real business questions from followers — from setting up Shopify to sourcing suppliers.

Because if she could build a 7-figure brand before 21, she wants to show you that you can too.

“To be the person I needed when I was 16 — that’s the most fulfilling part of all this”.