Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kayla Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kayla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
In 2015, I moved to Thailand for two years instead of going to dental school. When I was younger, becoming a dentist was my dream. I grew up admiring the profession because a smile is the first place where people show their happiness and I envisioned myself helping others make a tangible difference in their lives and the way they express themselves. But life, as it often does, has a way of steering us in unexpected directions.
My father’s passing from cancer on my 22nd birthday in 2014 was a pivotal moment in my life. It made me reevaluate everything—my priorities, what I truly valued, and how I wanted to spend my time. After his death, I felt a deep need to change my environment and do something that would allow me to heal while also finding a new purpose. So I made the bold decision to move to Thailand for two years. It was a huge shift, not just geographically but emotionally, and it opened my eyes to a different way of living, thinking, and connecting with people. I was exposed to new cultures, ideas, and ways of giving back that I had never considered before.
During that time, I realized that my dream of becoming a dentist didn’t align with who I had become. I had always associated dentistry with security and stability, but what I needed was freedom—freedom to explore, to be creative, and to connect on a deeper level with people. My time in Thailand allowed me to engage with communities in a way that I never could have in a traditional career setting. I found that my passion was less about fixing teeth and more about understanding people’s stories, their struggles, and how I could be of service to them, in turn spreading happiness – just in different ways.
Changing my mind wasn’t easy. I had spent so much of my youth imagining a life in dental school, and walking away from that felt like abandoning a part of myself. But in reality, it was a step toward embracing a new version of who I am—a version that prioritizes human connection, personal growth, and living in alignment with what feels true in the moment. My journey in Thailand was an unexpected detour, but it was exactly what I needed to find my next chapter.
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.
My journey into the world of jewelry-making is deeply tied to my personal evolution—one that began with a period of introspection and healing following the loss of my father to cancer. After his passing, I spent two transformative years living in Asia, and it was during this time that my passion for becoming a creator blossomed.
Radiante is born from the connections I made with the people, places, and cultures I encountered in my travels. The brand is all about creating handmade jewelry that is not just beautiful but meaningful. Each piece reflects the essence of the experiences and the energy I absorbed from my time in Asia—from vibrant gemstones to delicate metals, every design carries a story. My goal is to craft jewelry that resonates with those who wear it, allowing them to connect to something deeper than just aesthetics.
What sets Radiante apart is the care and intention behind each piece. I believe in authenticity and craftsmanship, which is why I make everything by hand. Every design is inspired by the unique places I’ve visited and the people I’ve met, and I take great pride in using quality, natural materials. For me, jewelry isn’t just an accessory—it’s a way to carry memories, feelings, and personal milestones with you. It’s about finding something that speaks to you on a deeper level.
To anyone discovering Radiante for the first time, I want you to know that each piece is a labor of love, created with intention and inspired by the world around us. Whether you’re looking for a unique piece for yourself or a meaningful gift for someone else, my jewelry is designed to help you express who you are and to carry with you a little piece of the journey.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Starting Radiante was never about having a large initial capital or a grand business plan—it’s always been about starting small, but starting. Like many entrepreneurs, I didn’t have a big financial cushion to fall back on, so I had to be resourceful. I began by reinvesting the small profits I made from selling my first few pieces, building my brand gradually without any major external funding.
I still work a full-time job, and honestly, I love it. It gives me the stability I need while also allowing me the freedom to nurture Radiante as my passion project. This way, I don’t feel the pressure of turning it into something it’s not. For me, the beauty of the brand is that it remains something I genuinely enjoy—not a job. I pour love into it because I love what I do, not because I have to make it profitable right away.
A big part of my journey is tied to my love for travel, which is what inspired the brand in the first place. Traveling has been both a source of creativity and a way to connect deeply with different cultures. That’s something I’ve always wanted to carry into Radiante. Each design is rooted in my experiences and memories from different parts of the world. Since travel is a part of my life, I’m able to tie it into my business in a way that makes the whole process feel organic. I don’t see it as work, I see it as an extension of the life I’m living.
While I didn’t start with much in terms of capital, what I had was time, dedication, and a clear vision. I knew the most important thing was to simply begin—to put my work out there and let it grow naturally. Starting small has allowed me to test, adjust, and refine my craft without the weight of significant financial risk. It’s been a gradual journey, but it’s been authentic and fulfilling.
For anyone out there thinking about starting something of their own, I always say—don’t wait for the “perfect” moment or the perfect amount of funding. Start with what you have, no matter how small. Passion and consistency are often more important than a big financial investment. Build something that you’re genuinely excited about, and the rest will follow.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
While I don’t have a cofounder or business partner, I believe I was truly connected by the universe to someone who has deeply influenced Radiante—the talented Mexican artist, Azul Pantonet (@azulpantonet), whose mural inspired the name of my brand.
In late 2021, as I was preparing to close out my 20s and welcome a new decade, I decided to take a solo road trip through Baja Sur, Mexico. I wanted the trip to be a time of reflection, an opportunity to step into my 30s with a sense of excitement and openness to all the possibilities life had to offer. One day, while driving through Todos Santos, a small surf town on the Baja Peninsula, I came across a mural that immediately captivated me. It was shaded beneath a few trees along the main road, surrounded by shops and vendors, yet it had a quiet, radiant presence that stopped me in my tracks.
I was moving quickly, eager to reach my next destination, but the mural drew me in. The colors, simplicity, and vibrance of the artwork were like nothing I had seen before—it felt like the mural was speaking directly to me. In that moment, I felt this warm, glowing energy inside, and I couldn’t help but think about how we often rush through life, missing the beauty and the small moments that surround us. The mural’s name, Radiante (Spanish for “radiant”), seemed to capture that essence perfectly. It felt like a reminder to embrace the present, to slow down, and to recognize the radiance in both ourselves and the world around us. It read, “me siento radiante” – I feel radiant.
Fast forward to a few months later, after I launched Radiante on Instagram in May. I shared the story of my brand and the mural and tagged the location—Todos Santos. To my surprise, I received a message from the very artist who created the mural—Azul Pantonet, the talented young artist behind this beautiful work of art.
Azul and I have since had conversations about the meaning behind her mural, and her words resonate deeply with me and the heart of Radiante. In her own words, Azul explains the energy she wanted to convey through her art:
“I took inspiration from the sunsets of Todos Santos, the energy transmitted by visualizing the spectacle of colors that life gives us. The embracing energy of the moment, where you visualize how the sea and the sun come together, creating a beautiful synchrony of colors that paint the sky of beautiful oranges… The golden hour fills me with energy and love—that’s what I wanted to reflect in my mural. Whenever I enjoy the sunsets, I feel my energy synchronized, and I feel two of my favorite auras coming to light: the yellow aura, which symbolizes energy, joy, and self-confidence, and the pink aura, which symbolizes sensitivity, love, and loyalty to oneself. These auras represent what I feel when I see this spectacle of colors. How I synchronize with the energy that being alive gives me.”
Her words encapsulate everything Radiante stands for: the belief that we are all radiant in our own imperfect ways, and that there is beauty in the simple moments if we just take the time to notice. Azul’s artwork is a perfect reflection of this philosophy, and I am incredibly grateful that our paths crossed in such a meaningful and serendipitous way.
Although Azul is not a business partner in the traditional sense, her mural and the powerful message behind it were the catalyst for the creation of Radiante. I’m honored to carry the energy and intention of her work with me as I continue to grow the brand. It’s a reminder that the universe has a way of aligning things when the time is right, and sometimes the best partnerships come in unexpected forms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heyradiante.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyradiante
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heyradiante
Image Credits
Kayla Smith