Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Kimble.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From a young age, two things defined me…fashion and community service. Always drawn to layering and interesting combinations of crystals and metals, I learned the basics of jewelry construction from my mom while I was in high school. It was difficult for me at times to work with ear wires, jump rings, and intricate metal wrapping due to the fact that I have a vision disability. It is called low vision and is a result of being born prematurely at only 27 weeks. I had several surgeries before I ever got out of the hospital, had more for the first three years of life, did patch therapy and despite every effort, I would end up with complete blindness in my right eye and low vision in my left eye. Spacial boundaries were always a challenge and yet, I was determined to blend in. Although I danced from the age of 4, it often took me longer to interpret dance instruction and while performing, it was scary to safely get to the wings when the curtain would close backstage. Picture a young girl, age 8 or 9 trying to navigate in the dark, bumping into others, and sometimes trying to hold onto someone but still not tell anyone why. You can repeat that type of scenario in many different ways throughout my years growing up. Taking enlarged tests, for example, in a special room in high school suggested I was somehow compromised academically which was just not the case. It wasn’t until college that I felt comfortable to share any details about my vision with others. By the way, I graduated on time in 2017, cum laude from Kent State University (Go Flashes), and completed my Master’s degree there as well two years later in 2019.
So, jumping back to how I got started, I began piecing beads and crystals together on our dining room table (my version of legos),and quickly found my design aesthetic. I was able to create unique pairings and also combine modern and vintage pieces into one-of-a-kind or small-batch offerings. Wearing my pieces was so fun and oftentimes, I would be stopped in a store or at an event and asked about a necklace or earrings or bracelet. One time, a mom actually bought what I was wearing right off me in line at the store because her daughter was obsessed with the design. It was hilarious. I lacked confidence to really test out my designs though so I just did pieces for myself and some family members and as gifts. Jewelry is such a personal preference and I got caught up in trying to create so many different types of pieces that it was very costly and I soon realized that I should stick with what I do well and let others do what they do well. My mom always reminded me, “There’s always room for more than one person to be successful so you don’t have to try to be everything to everyone.” My mom supports my designs by being a lead jewelry maker as she can work through some of the problematic construction details that are a result of my poor eyesight. We are a divide and conquer duo. As a business major in college, I finally decided to start By KatieK. But it took some time to get there and I learned so much about naming, becoming a vendor, purchasing, negotiating wholesale orders, becoming a licensed vendor (such a difficult and exhausting process that took a year by the way), marketing, and essentially, doing everything as a one-woman show! There were plenty of times I fell on my face but I got back up, applied what I learned from each experience and it turned out to be a great opportunity to meet other small business owners, leaders, students, dreamers, and also support being a giveback entrepreneur. I would always hear of people saying that when they “made it big” they would do this or that. I just thought, well, why wait…it may take me longer to “make it big” but while I am hustling, I want to make a difference. And, so I do. It is very important to me to support local, community-focused nonprofits and so I get involved by sharing my time, providing in kind donations as well as charitable donations for organizations like Youth Challenge, Wags4Kids, Playhouse Square Foundation Partners. Having that connection to others who are making a difference in the very place where they live is motivating and I truly value the commitment to serving others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, my goodness. There were definitely bumps in the road. Starting with the name. By KatieK was my rebrand essentially. I thought being very clever and different was the way to go and in my first year, my business name was Beach Blonde Blue Bikini. Ahhh….it was a mouthful. It also created confusion because many people thought I was going to sell swimwear for instance. I personally wasn’t known to the public in any way although it was fun and people often commented on it, it didn’t draw customers. And so, that was a first lesson. A big one. But at least it was early on.
The other thing was my desire to constantly please everyone. This was a theme with me personally and it was evident in my creation of jewelry pieces. This led to me spending too much money on materials just to make a few pieces for someone who made a special request. Many vendors will require a minimum purchase for chain or for the best price for crystals would be a bulk order, etc. so spending $100 to make two items that you will sell for $15 each is not a good business decision. Some materials I still see in a closet and shake my head about why I did that but I also learned that there are enough jewelry trends out there and it was okay to let others be the “go to” for ones that weren’t necessarily in my wheelhouse or even of interest to me.
Sometimes, it takes more than one round to get to yes! I’ve been turned down before for a wholesale consideration. It was heartbreaking and I felt defeated. I never forgot what the boutique owner said though. Two years later, I put myself back out there and offered items at the price point they hoped to capture and a customer service beyond expectation experience for them, and we are now celebrating our first-year partnership.
Because entrepreneurship requires a lot of energy, patience, tenacity, and “do it all” mentality, I try to be a resource to others who are trying out their service or product and help them out in any way I can. Sometimes, you can help others just by sharing their page, a product, a review, and of course, by buying local, buying small. It means everything to a small business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Working with students and alumni has always been an incredible experience, with students and young alumni, being able to see and participate in some small but meaningful way as their path and launch into their professional lives takes shape is so exhilarating and a reminder that we all should remember that spirit and energy as we approach our daily professional lives. Seasoned alumni, who have earned many successes, are motivating forces in their commitment to engage as professional leaders in their fields and as mentors for young alumni who want to keep their connection to their collegiate home and alumni community.
While I have experience as a student employment coordinator, career advisor, and in working with student accessibility services, I am currently serving students and alumni as the Associate Director of Affinity Programs for The Alumni Association at Case Western Reserve University. In this role, I have the privilege of aiding in the creation and management of events for affinity groups such as African American, LatinX, LGBT and in building a community presence for young alumni. Encouraging student involvement is key and is a bridge to strong and ongoing relationships as an alumni.
As a young professional myself, I spend a great deal of time building relationships through the incredibly strong network in the Cleveland area as a member of the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club, Engage! Cleveland Leadership Council, Youth Challenge Young Professionals (YP4YC), and Playhouse Square Foundation Professional Partners Encore. As an event contractor for the past four years, I have participated in numerous capacities at Cleveland-based events highlighting the great opportunities to enjoy an active and entertaining life in Cleveland. In March, I was selected as a member of the Class of 2022 20/30 Cleveland Professional Club “25 under 35 Movers & Shakers”. It was an honor but this class is amazing so they motivate me to keep figuring out how to make an impact every… single… day.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Jewelry follows the fashion trends and so it will continue to do so going forward for sure. That’s a beautiful thing. So much of your jewelry will have new life again in much of the same ways that clothing trends will repeat. I do think there is a more and more desire for jewelry that is meaningful but also affordable. I have heard plenty of women say that at one time, they would have given anything to have a tennis bracelet and that is all they would wear along with a simple cross necklace and they would switch between a pair of studs and an occasional dressy earring for an event.
But today, women who are juggling family and career always tell me they like being able to mix things up and have options to complement their style. So, affordability is key and that is what I try to do in my offerings and I think the ability to mix metals keeps accessory options so interesting. There have been occasional requests to have a one-of-a-kind piece; something very artsy and I am happy to oblige… But my commitment is to keeping options affordable so everyone can find something new and fun and chic and not feel guilty buying. The greatest compliment of all is a return customer.
Contact Info:
- Email: Katie@bykatiek.com
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/bykatiek
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykatiek/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bykatiek/
