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

Lakeeia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I created KIA KOLOUR in 2018 after discovering my ability to visually create and hand craft jewelry. It surprised me because I never created jewelry before and these visions of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets would pop into my mind. I would then sketch them out onto paper and figure out the best way I could construct them. I would spend hours trying to perfect these pieces and when I would wear them out, I received so many compliments. My mom said to me “you made those” ! You should sell them”. From there I started thinking and creating more and more. Thinking about the business mission and brainstorming on how I could create jewelry that could impact peoples’ lives. KIA KOLOUR was discovered not only as a jewelry brand but a way to build confidence. The pieces that I make are edgy and are meant to push people to take risks. For people to get out of their comfort zones and try something they never tried before.

“With every design, I wanted to give my jewelry life; a heartbeat, a real meaning of existence with true identity. Jewelry that projects a powerful voice that would allow women to find their own”

KIA KOLOUR jewelry was designed to help women peel back that layer of self doubt and lack of confidence. The jewelry society is meant to uplift women and encourage them to try something different and take the risk on YOU. I have discovered that women have different sides to them and my jewelry was created to help them unlock it, Intentionally with purpose.

I aim to build a community of strong and confident women who empower each other through bold statement jewelry pieces with the underlying message of the statement they want to express.

Don’t go through life silent, make some noise. Let the world hear your voice. Our jewelry is the noise that I want the world to hear.

KIA KOLOUR’s unique jewelry pieces are made to make a statement by “Unlocking the enigma of a confident woman”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I started making jewelry in 2014. A lady that owned a boutique salon in Atlanta, GA showed me how to bead necklaces and bracelets. From there, I would come up with different concepts in my head of ways to create pieces that were more edgy and modern. I thought leather would be a great material to add on the element of edge. I began to put the ideas that would come into my head onto paper and then think of ways to construct these pieces. I had no technical training, yet I would create these pieces that were good enough to sell. This was a hobby for a while, something that allowed me to be creative and relieve stress. In 2018, I began to get more serious about it and turned it into a business.

I feel that jewelry is meant to inspire and uplift. Allowing women to step into a place of the unknown and to be unafraid to take risks. Our jewelry is edgy, elegant, and mysterious; we believe that women have to dig deep in order to unlock who they truly are. Our jewelry was created to encourage women to challenge their inner depths and embrace those parts of themselves that are kept hidden away.

With every purchase I not only want women to take away the jewelry but take away the confidence that comes along with it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn is that I could do it all myself. This is so untrue!

Every new business has its ups and downs, especially when there is only one person running the show. There are times when I feel overwhelmed and I’m the person responsible for it all, but that’s how it is when you are trying to get your business off the ground. There is a lot to do and it can be hard. You have to think about many things such as branding, brand awareness, marketing, target audience, SEO, creative content, processing orders, shipping, money, and much more.

For me, I had to take a step back and plan. Planning is very important. Sort things by priority and schedule. I started using a chart mapped out by days of the week and inserting my orders by importance. Also, setting up automation, CRM systems help keep customers in the loop with KIA KOLOUR. I had to figure out ways to make things flow better for the company’s sustainability.

This became overwhelming and it took my focus off the craft which is want I loved most. I learned quickly that I had to create a team of people and start to delegate task. It’s hard doing it all on your own. It takes a team!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best sources of new customers have been through find my business on Google, Paid Advertising on Social Media outlets, and creating brand awareness through events and trade shows.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kiakolour.com
• Instagram: kiakolour
• Facebook: KIA Kolour

Image Credits
Lakeeia Smith Lakeya Lauren the Terrible