We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Kitch recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren , thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I started out having a “regular job” as an Occupational Therapist. While that job was rewarding I wanted the flexibility of creating my own work schedule so I could stay home and raise my daughter. Overall extremely happy being an artist and thankful for the extra time I’m able to spend with my family.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Prior to launching my handcrafted jewelry business, I worked as an Occupational Therapist for 7 years. While that profession was extremely rewarding I wanted the flexibility of prioritizing quality time with family. My story started a few years back when I decided to take a 2-hour metalsmithing class just for fun. Little did I know this hobby would turn into something so much more. I’ve always had a passion for DIY projects and there is something so special about designing and creating something from start to finish. That’s when Love Kindly was born. LK, for my initials, or “Love Kindly,” embodies my overall outlook on life. I feel that If we can be kind, be confident in ourselves, and take time for adventure, we can live our best lives.
I am a self-taught metalsmith and work out of my home studio in the mountains of Park City, UT. I work with a variety of natural stones with each piece being an original design by me. Each stone is set in sterling silver or solid 14k gold or gold-filled.
I love co-hosting styled photoshoots and I am most inspired when I collaborate with others and can see my jewelry come to life. I am most proud of reaching outside of my comfort zone to allow me to grow as a person and business owner. At the end of the year, 5% of all of my sales go to a non-profit. For me, it’s not just about sales. It’s about giving back, kindness, community, and supporting one another. I know for a fact I could not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the incredible support I have from my friends and family and local stockists. Local stockists include: The Edge Spa in Wanship, UT and the Neighborhood Hive in Sugarhouse.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
If the road was easy then I don’t think running a business would be as rewarding. With my background in exercise science, I’ve had to start from scratch when it comes to learning how to run and manage a business. It’s been a major learning curve, from creating a website and online marketplace to balancing inventory down to all the little details involved with my packaging.
I am an artist, creative designer, metalsmith, website developer, social media manager, customer service, and content creator. Navigating all of these things to run a successful business while being a full-time mom is not an easy task. Some days, it feels impossible while other days I feel like superwoman.
At the end of the day, it’s finding balance in doing what you love.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Social media for me will always be an on-going learning curve. If you are just starting out, the biggest advice I can give is to try and not compare yourself to others. Social media is constantly changing and evolving- but ultimately staying true to your brand is what will have the highest impact. You have to start somewhere and the amount of “followers” you have on social media does not reflect your work as an artist/creative. It takes networking, time and patience to grow and and set that foundation to reach your ideal audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovekindlyboutique.com
- Instagram: @lovekindlyboho
- Other: E-mail: laurenkitch@lovekindlyboutique.com