Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlin Keiser.
Hi Kaitlin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started in the jewelry industry in 2013 as an hourly salesperson at my stepdad’s jewelry store, Jensen Jewelers. When I started, I became intrigued by the intricacies of diamonds and gemstones and how the jewelry was made but found myself thinking this was all so materialistic. Why do you need to spend that money on something sparkly? Don’t these people have better places to spend their money?
Luckily, it wasn’t long after I started working there that I realized how much sentiment and meaning jewelry could hold.
It wasn’t just a materialistic show of status to our customers (ok, maybe it was to a few of them if we’re being honest, haha!), but rather a piece of jewelry that signified something important to them… a meaningful, quality piece that could be passed down to the next generation. These pieces were so much more than something with a price tag connected to it… they were stories, they were love, they were memories.
I was so fortunate to learn from my step-dad, Jim, and other jewelers who had been in the industry for decades, how to make truly well-made jewelry. They were true craftsmen working with their hands and could make literally anything. It was all so exciting to learn and watch. As the years passed working there, Jim became one of my closest friends and of course, he was still a dad to me. We were together every day and then even most of the weekends. I also began to fill my extra time building a second career in real estate.
Then, in 2018, Jim went through many health challenges that led to him not being in the shop for more than a year. That year took a toll on me as our family tried to get Jim through this hardest period of his life. Mentally and emotionally, it was exhausting to stay at the shop without him there…to walk in every day and look at his jewelry bench, continue work on his computer, to sit in his chair. That’s when I decided to leave the jewelry business to focus on real estate, have flexible hours to visit him, and help my family.
They say, “if you love something, let it go”. As I built my real estate career up, I realized how passionate I was about jewelry, how fulfilling it was, and how much I missed it. That’s when my business, Kait Noelle, was born. I started my business as a means of having more freedom in my life, not just with my hours, but creatively. I craved the freedom to create my own atmosphere, to make offerings that excited me, to provide services and products that were unique, and ultimately, to have a career that allowed me to eventually provide for my future family in ways I could only imagine. What started as a side hustle to my real estate career, has turned into me leaving real estate to help my customers create meaningful pieces of jewelry that will last a lifetime.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has certainly not always been a smooth road. While there have been many struggles, such as finding suppliers I trust, finding skilled jewelers to hire to create my pieces, and learning the ins and outs of such a secretive industry, such as jewelry, diamonds, and gemstones, my biggest struggle has honestly been my own confidence issues when it comes to growth.
First off, stepping out on your own when your family is in the same industry is not easy! But my heart wouldn’t stop tugging at me to create my own thing that would allow my creativity to flow freely and blossom how it needed to. Kait Noelle has also grown quite quickly and it has forced me to take leaps of faith to invest further into my business as I reach the next phase. Knowing when it’s the right time to invest in the next big purchase or to offer new services is a struggle for me. I recently started offering “permanent” jewelry which is a big investment and it took me a while to get there, but I’m so glad I did! My next step and what I’m working through right now is finding my own retail space for Kait Noelle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design custom fine jewelry for people looking for completely one-of-a-kind pieces that will fit their lifestyle while also capturing their unique story, style, or memories. When I say “custom” I truly mean from the ground up, not just choosing a pre-made mounting and choosing a stone to set in it (although, I can do that as well!). My process starts with an appointment to help you choose the design. Next, I’ll design it in CAD software, so you can see exactly what it will look like and we can make tweaks as we go. From there, we get a wax model, so you can see the exact scale of how the piece will look. Once we are happy with the wax, my jewelers cast the piece and set the stones.
I can do everything from sourcing diamonds and gemstones for you to helping you reset your own stones.
My clients tend to tell me their favorite part about working with me is that I take time to hear what this piece is going to mean to them and help them infuse their own story into the piece. It’s a much more intimate experience than simply picking a piece out of a case, even if we are choosing to go with something pre-made. It’s important to me to know my clients on a personal basis.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in this journey is to be who you are. People can quickly sniff out a person who is not being their authentic self and in the jewelry industry, when you are creating such meaningful pieces, integrity and trust are two of the most important qualities for a jeweler to have. You shine so much brighter when you are true to yourself and not trying to be who you think others expect you to be. When you shine bright, you attract all the right people and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: kaitnoelle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitnoellejewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaitnoellejewelry
