Today we’d like to introduce you to Kanika Bennett

Hi Kanika, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I’m originally from a small town in Thailand. When I was young my family didn’t have much money. Five of us lived in a tiny room in the basement of my grandparent’s house. My mom and dad worked long hours to support our family. I remember watching other girls around my age playing with these cute dolls, and I asked my mom “One day, if we are rich, can you buy me one of those dolls?” With a tear in her eye my mom looked at me and said “One day my love, I’ll get you that doll.” I looked back up at her and smiled.

One night months later my mom came home from selling her food and gave me this little doll. I was so happy and gave my mom a giant hug. She told me she found it in a trash can around the neighborhood. There was a little rip on the dress and one eye was broken. It’s not perfect but I think we can fix the dress. I said “It’s perfect for me and I love it.”

Mom taught me how to sew and fix the torn dress. Then I made so many clothes for my little doll. I found that I enjoyed making and creating things. I would draw paper dolls and clothing, cut them out, and sell them to my friends at school. I also made and sold dolls out of scrap fabric. That’s where my love of fashion started. Just one broken doll from the trash.

When I moved to the US I decided to enroll in a fashion design course at a community college in the Bay Area. I learned so much more about fashion and how to make clothes. The dresses that I designed were on the runway of school events. That’s one of the proudest moments in my life.

But life took an unexpected turn. I had to put my creativity and love of fashion on hold and take another career path to support myself.

Then early in 2023, I decided to get back into what I love to do, and to make and create things. This time though I did something a little different. I started to learn how to make jewelry. That’s how I started Kaniika handmade jewelry. I started selling my jewelry at a local store, then at the market, and now I have my own brand and online store.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It’s been a learning curve for me. When I first started making jewelry I didn’t take any classes. I taught myself how to make jewelry with lots of practice and research. There is a lot of work and some mistakes along the way. Not just with the design and creating, but also with the business side of things. I have to do everything on my own and it’s been challenging. I love to make and create things…but all the licenses, paperwork, accounting, marketing…not so much! But I’m learning and getting better at it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

My jewelry is delicate, elegant, & timeless but yet simple and functional. You can dress up and dress down from a t-shirt and jeans to a big night out. I like to create something unique and one of a kind, made with colorful gemstones and pearls. Some of the pieces are very detailed and took a lot of time, both designing and making it. Sometimes I start not knowing what the finished product is gonna look like. I think that’s what makes it unique.

The thing that I am most proud of is to have customers come up to me and say that they love my jewelry, and I know that when my customers wear it, my jewelry will bring them joy.

Things that set me apart from others is that I create unique pieces and I know that it’s gonna be only a few of a kind. I don’t like to make or design the same style. I like to come up with new designs and that makes it more fun to me.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?

Follow your heart and go with your gut. Create something that is meaningful to you and your style. Sometimes you don’t know where the road will take you. And know that it will be a roller coaster but don’t give up. It’s ok to take a break but keep it going.

One thing that I wish I knew when I started out is the business side of it. There is so much to learn and do beyond the design and creation. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with all of those extra things, having your own business is not easy! But it can be incredibly rewarding to do something you love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaniika.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaniikapdx/?igsh=MTN3OG1pdHY5ZXVwdA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Johnnie Wade IV and Stevyn Llewellyn