As part of his efforts to support Rhode Island’s business community, Congressman Jim Langevin visited the new world headquarters of lifestyle brand Alex and Ani last Wednesday.

Owner and designer Carolyn Rafaelian (the company is named after her two daughters) and CEO Giovanni Feroce led Langevin through their new offices, which the company moved into earlier this month, followed by a discussion of Alex and Ani’s accomplishments and the ways the state’s overall economy can benefit from a resurgence of the jewelry industry.

The message sent to the Congressman was to “let things be” and “let us do what we do best.” Increased taxes would slow down company growth and Langevin was asked to support pro-business legislation.

“We have never asked for anything,” Feroce said. “Let us work with the rules we have in place now. Don’t keep changing the rules.”

Alex and Ani was founded in 2005 and reached $1 million in annual sales in 2008. This year, sales could be more than $50 million. The company is now poised for a major expansion of its manufacturing and retail operations and has recently leased another 13,000 square feet of space at Chapel View.

Langevin used the opportunity to highlight the significant contributions of the company to the state and discuss ways to further improve the local economy. Alex and Ani buys local, generating more dollars, and provides jobs within the state. Alex and Ani is a “true success story,” said the Congressman.

Presently, Alex and Ani has a total of four stores in Rhode Island located in Cranston at the company’s world headquarters, Providence, East Greenwich and Newport. Other locations include Boston, New York City, Martha’s Vineyard and a new pop-up store has opened at Yale University just two weeks ago.

Alex and Ani has already grown out of their Cranston location and are planning a vast expansion project. The expansion plans also include a Teas and Java’s complete with a bakery to provide their customers a chance to relax and discuss the Alex and Ani product. The plans also include the design and building of a ten-foot water feature within the office building and more office space for its employees.

Alex and Ani has benefited more than 135 charities through direct support or donation of product, and the company believes in being involved in the community.

Recognized by Inc Magazine in 2011 as one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, Alex and Ani, Inc. is a lifestyle brand, manufacturer and retailer that describes itself as a “positive energy company.” They have hired nearly 200 people in less than two years and produce all of their products.