We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kirsten Dexter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kirsten, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

There was a need for finely crafted jewelry based on architecture. On my travels to countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, I saw beautiful archetypes crafted from stone and iron. I wanted equally stunning jewelry that would evoke memories of those places. I could not find anything like that, so I began designing pieces myself.

Kirsten, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I always did crafts as a child. I knitted sweaters, sewed my own clothes, painted primitive landscapes, and created household items like placemats with hand-drawn designs and cups from thrown pottery. I also was very athletic and looking for jewelry to fit my lifestyle. I want to wear crafted, high-end designs at a fair price. I make the pieces in an affordable line, which I felt was missing from the market. Once I fashion a design, I want to share it with the world, because all women want to feel beautiful and wear beautiful things. It’s pretty simple. Just to bring a bit of joy to people through design.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I started with a $500 investment and hand made everything. As I went to trunk shows and the brand took off, I was able to generate enough cash to start manufacturing my designs. So the business has been totally bootstrapped after the initial $500 investment.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

My top lessons learned: Ignore your critics, and listen intently to your customers. There will be many naysayers, so focus your energies on the customers who share your vision. Believe in yourself, and you will overcome every obstacle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kirstendexter.com/
• Instagram: Instagram.com/kirstendexter
• Facebook: Facebook.com/kirstendexter
• Linkedin: Linkedin.com/kirstendexter

Image Credits
Kirsten Dexter