our story
I grew up on the island of Anguilla, a small but breathtaking Caribbean island where our relationship with nature was not a lifestyle choice, it was just life. Anguilla is an arid island, so from a very early age we learned to be intentional with every resource the earth gave us. Rainwater was precious. The ocean fed us. We grew our own food, and I can still remember eating fruit straight off the tree as a child. Our homes were cooled by the trade winds, not technology.
Long before sustainability became a movement, it was simply how we lived. Growing up that close to the earth teaches you something that is hard to unlearn. That nature is generous but not infinite. That what you take, you must honor.
My father understood this deeply. He was a master woodworker who truly understood what wood could become in patient and skilled hands. I would watch him work. The focus. The care. The pride in making something that would outlast the moment it was made in. I did not know it then, but I was learning something that would shape everything we would eventually build.
What I learned was this: the things we create carry the energy we put into them. Make something with intention, and people feel it. That truth became the reason Blackwood Premium exists.
I saw how raw wood, in the hands of someone who honored it, could become something special. That same spirit lives in every piece we create.
TWO FOUNDERS. ONE VISION.
I am Nicole, CEO and co-founder. My partner Earl is the Co-founder, President, and the person who makes sure that everything we put our name on is truly worthy of it. Earl is from Detroit, a city that knows what it means to build things that last. His background in architecture and quality assurance did not just give him an eye for design, it gave him a standard. A discipline. The kind of attention to every detail that means he will simply not allow anything to be less than excellent. And beyond all of that, he brings a calm and grounded energy to everything we build together. Where I lead with heart, Earl leads with precision. Where I dream big, he makes sure the foundation is solid. His influence is not in one moment, it is in everything we make. Blackwood Premium exists because of both of us.
Since 2021 we have been building something we are truly proud to bring you, steeped in purpose, one piece and one person at a time. And we are just getting started.
OUR name
People ask us all the time how we came up with the name. The truth is, it was never just a random name, but one that carries true meaning for us.
Blackwood: We wanted to honor our heritage and culture, the roots that shaped us both. We work with wood, and we wanted that to be stated. And then there is Blackwood the wood itself, one of the most beautiful and sought after hardwoods in the world, one that we are proud to work with in our pieces. Premium: This speaks to the emphasis we place on the quality of every piece we make. It is also about the experience we want every single person to have when they interact with us, our pieces, and our brand.
From the moment you discover us to the moment your order arrives at your door, nothing about this brand is without purpose. Not even the name.
why wood. why now.
We work with exotic, sustainably sourced hardwoods because no two pieces are alike, and that is exactly the point. Every grain carries its own story. Every piece has its own character, its own energy. Just like the people who wear them.
I always say our pieces speak for themselves. The moment you hold one, the quality and craftsmanship is undeniable. We work with some of the most beautiful hardwoods in the world to make sure of that.
Our accessories are not designed to complete a look. They are designed to reflect the uniqueness of the person wearing them. Someone who moves through the world with intention, who chooses what they carry carefully, and who understands that real style is not loud. It is considered.
beauty that gives back.
Every order plants a new tree, giving back what nature gave us. Every shipment is carbon neutral. Every lens is polarized and UV400 rated, because real luxury means real protection, not just polish. These are not features we added. They are commitments we made before we made our first product.
HEARTS FOR SERVICE.
We have both always had hearts for service. Long before Blackwood Premium existed, showing up for people and for the planet was just part of who we both were and still are. Through Blackwood we have been able to do more of that together. Sponsoring children's swim camps, supporting fundraising efforts for cancer research, the only domestic violence hotline in Anguilla, donating sunglasses to women in shelters, showing up for ocean conservation events, hurricane relief, toy drives, beach cleanups and more. When you buy from Blackwood Premium, you are not just buying something beautiful. You are joining a community that believes in giving back and lifting others up.
this is for you.
Blackwood Premium is for anyone who values craft and meaning over labels. Who chooses carefully. Who wants to look exceptional and feel good about how they got there. It is for the ones who believe that how you show up in the world matters, and who want what they wear to reflect that. If that is you, welcome to the family.
Welcome to Blackwood Premium.
