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

Kate, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I started Caitlyn Minimalist in 2014, inspired by a love for meaningful, minimalist designs that tell personal stories. At the time, personalized jewelry was often expensive and less accessible, and I wanted to change that. I believed everyone should have the option to own something special without a high price tag. Seeing how much these pieces resonate with people is what keeps me excited about the brand every day.

Kate, 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’m Kate Kim, the founder of Caitlyn Minimalist. I started the brand in 2014, inspired by a love for meaningful, minimalist designs that tell personal stories. I wanted to create jewelry that feels personal and special, without the high price tag that personalized pieces often had back then.

Caitlyn Minimalist focuses on creating jewelry that captures special connections and moments – whether it’s handwriting from a loved one, a fingerprint, a name, or a birthstone. We prioritize quality, craftsmanship, and customer experience, ensuring every piece feels special and lasting.

What sets us apart is our focus on connection – we believe jewelry should be more than just an accessory. It should tell a story, capture a memory, and become a part of someone’s journey. Seeing our pieces become cherished keepsakes for our customers is what we’re most proud of.

Today, we’re the #1 seller on Etsy, with our own website and a growing community, along with two retail stores, and plans for continued growth. I’m excited to keep creating meaningful designs that resonate with people around the world.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

We started Caitlyn Minimalist on Etsy in 2014, which was a great way to reach a wide audience quickly. Etsy’s built-in marketplace helped us gain visibility and connect with customers looking for personalized, meaningful jewelry. However, as the brand grew, we launched our own website to have more control over our brand, customer experience, and data. The pros of having our own site include better brand control, a direct relationship with our community, and the ability to create a more personalized shopping experience, while the challenges are managing traffic, fulfillment, and customer support independently.

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

One lesson I had to unlearn is the need to do everything myself. In the beginning, I felt like I had to handle every detail, but I realized that real growth comes from letting go and trusting my team. Delegating allows the brand to grow and evolve, and it creates space for new ideas and fresh perspectives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caitlynminimalist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlynminimalist/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/caitlyn-minimalist-irvine-2

Image Credits

Images by Caitlyn Minimalist