We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather LaRose. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather below.

Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

Looking back to my childhood a memory that has always stayed with me and impacted me as an adult was from when I was in the fifth grade. My teacher assigned the class and essay asking us “if we could be anyone in the world who would we be”? When asked a question like that, your mind naturally wanders to all the creme the of crop humans that have built a name for themselves by their ability to invent, lead, unite or just be really damn cool. Sure, any one of those things sounds pretty great. But to my little fifth grader self, the answer was rather simple. I didn’t want to be anyone else in the world because, not only would I not be myself, but I wouldn’t have the same parents if I were anyone else. I remember writing the essay in class and my teacher phoning home to my folks to tell them about it. As you would imagine, they were very touched. And it may sound silly, but little Heather got something right then. Even now at age 32, my answer would still be the same. My parents taught me to work hard at everything I do, no matter what it was. They taught me to embrace every nook and cranny of my heart, and put it out there into the world ready to accept whatever life throws at me.

My whole life, my dad has been a business man, creating the most beautiful wood work you’ll ever see. My mother works in the medical field, but has always embraced photography for a creative outlet, and as a side business. She always taught me to appreciate the softer things in life that not everyone takes the time to notice, be it the touch of pillowy tree branches, a look at a flower with fresh rain drops or just the beauty on the horizon. Those soft beauties of the world have taught me to truly cherish all its gifts.

These types of small, yet meaningful ideas have spilled over into all aspects of my life. I embrace these same notions with my own children, with my husband and have always felt compelled to create a beautiful life and a beautiful business… To see, feel and create beauty. Cheers to Jim and Carol, and cheers to little Heather for listening.

Heather , 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?

Sweet Dahlia was born during the many sleepless nights of being a young mother. Before becoming a mom, I was very much a busy body. I spent more time out and about rather than being at home. For me, being at home for long periods of time felt very stagnant and as you can imagine, when you go from that type of lifestyle to a new mom where life on the daily is keeping a small human alive… things can get a bit crazy. In the early stages of motherhood your heart is booming with so much love, joy and the natural ability to care for these little beings that you had no idea you were even capable of. The only thing is sometimes moms can get a wee bit lost when it comes to themselves, because they are so focused on the baby and they forget, “Hey! I’m here too girl!”. I’m not just a mom, but I’m a badass human still embracing me, my family, and life.

It was during my second pregnancy that all the times my mom told me I needed to have a hobby and be creative truly set in. I knew I needed to exercise some creative energy to calm my chi down, not only be better for myself, but also my little family. I had always pinterested like a maniac, but not much beyond cooking recipes, so it was time to try something out. I saw a few little articles about making cute jewelry bowls with polymer clay and felt “heyyyy cute let’s try”. Yes, I tried. I tried so hard that all of my friends, family and family’s friends have polymer clay jewelry bowls. Well, what goes in jewelry bowls? Yes…Jewelry. And it was then I took a big jump from little bowls to some earrings. Early stages, not so great? Yes. A year later, with a lot of trial and error I’m proud of my product and LOVE watching people fall in love with it.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me is number one hands down wearing my own jewelry. I do get a good amount of new buyers from people that see others wearing my product as well. It’s a great conversation starter! I find that people keep things more sacred knowing someone made an item with their own hands and so much went into it from the idea, the process and the execution. Before making my own jewelry I always felt a need to take extra care of things that another person made..their heart went into that little creation.

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

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn about starting a business is that your product isn’t always going to be for everyone, but for the ones that love, share and support you and your creations are what makes all of it worth the while.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sweetdahliajewelry.etsy.com
• Instagram: @sweetdahliajewelry
• Pinterest: Sweet Dahlia Jewelry

Image Credits
Sweet Dahlia Jewelry