Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leiaa Morris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Leiaa, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
“Jewelry you can thrive in” is something I say about As I Am Jewelry Co. I created this brand coming out of a really dark time in my life. I started out with a single design, the Signature Affirmation bracelet with six affirmation charms, and then built on that. Our brand promotes mental health awareness and positivity. My mission is behind it is love, support, inclusion, and empowerment. There have been so many times in my life, and in the lives of others around me that have been filled with pain, disappointment, and loss. Life seems so unfair and it is very easy to get caught up in comparison and ungratefulness. Not that we mean to be ungrateful, but we feel that we should have more, and be more, and be somewhere else. Going back to feeling empowered and inspired, I want every single woman that wears my jewelry to feel confident, strong, resilient, loved, and worthy. Knowing your worth is so, soo very important. The intention of this brand is to be intentional. Our pieces are minimalist, so they don’t necessarily focus on being flashy or trying to be “expensive”. They are dainty, affordable, durable and made for every day wear. They are meant to serve as reminders of who we are and to expand on our greatness and uniqueness. Each of us has something to offer in this world. As I Am Jewelry Co stresses that you are ENOUGH as you are. You don’t have to be anyone else, or pretend everything is okay all the time. Our brand is a safe space and safe place to share the hard moments. Life is hard. It’s rough… but it is even harder going through it all alone. Loneliness is a feeling I know all too well and a breeding ground for depression. I would like to eliminate that as much as possible through my brand, by stressing that you are not alone. You are enough. You are worthy. You are loved. Valued. Supported, and trust that someone out there is going through something similar, even if they don’t voice it. You can wear our jewelry knowing that dark times don’t last forever, and you can thrive in this life. You can heal and you have support.
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 As I Am Jewelry Co a few months ago. We officially launched at the end of September, and are getting ready for our Spring launch! We sell Stainless Steel and Gold Plated affirmation bracelets, with a few other options like Cuban chains, paperclip chains, and dainty bracelets. As we expand we will be bringing more options and customizable jewelry. I have always loved jewelry and I love to accessorize and dress up. I’d say that I have my own unique style and minimal jewelry is my absolute favorite. I wear bracelets daily. Most of them have words of affirmations on them and in recent years, I have found that more than ever, they help me stay sane and remind me of who I am.
I am most proud of just launching this business. I just want to give back. I want to be a part of something bigger and something special that makes an impact. I love words. I love writing, reading, and creating.
I don’t have the best background. I didn’t have a great childhood and those traumas have poured over into adulthood. I was constantly trying to prove myself and then I realized that I am worthy the way that I am. I am loved. I inspire so many people just by being me… and sharing my experiences. I am very thankful for all the stories and the positive feedback I have already received from As I Am customers. They definitely show out and show up for me and I greatly appreciate that.
I believe that what sets my brand apart from all the other jewelry brands out there is the authenticity behind it. The vulnerability. I don’t try to be someone I am not, and if the viewer doesn’t vibe with what we are putting out there, then so be it. I can’t be anything but honest. I have a strong sense of empathy and I am the type of person that will stand up for anyone who is going through something and being hurt. My brand will always be an advocate for mental health and suicide awareness. We will always promote inclusion and diversity. We will always move in love and integrity, forgiveness. What you see is what you get. We are building a community that loves on each other and empowers one another. We are a judgement free zone, because no one is perfect.
One of the things I am working on launching really soon is a scheduled live through Instagram where we just talk about various topics and have guests to come on. I’d love to feature other business owners who share our ideals; therapists, counselors, and individuals who don’t mind sharing their stories. We have to talk about the hard things. I believe that there is power in expression and being vulnerable, You just have to be around the right people to do so. As I Am Jewelry Co is changing lives and allowing its customers to heal and to thrive. So if this type of brand aligns with you or someone that you know… please find us, follow us, share our posts, and spread the word.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Gosh, there are sooo many. Well this is not my first business. I actually launched a boutique business in 2021 and it didn’t do well. A big part of why is because of me. I wanted so badly to be somewhere that I was no where near ready for, mentally, nor emotionally. Aside from not really being ready, I was also drowning emotionally. When I launched I was so excited and expected everyone who knew about my business to jump on and order. I ordered way too much inventory and I was frustrated because the sales did not look like how I imagined they would. I also experienced what I call, a form of warfare… I learned that not everyone was happy for me, rooting for me and supportive of my new business endeavor. “Friends” showed their true colors. A lot of family didn’t support, or so much as share a post. The craziest part, is that I had a weird stalker who continuously was on my site and ordered back to back.. haha, thankful for the sales though! I became mentally exhausted. I could not understand how come my business was not taking off like I expected it to? What was I doing wrong? What could I do better? I spent countless hours, energy, time, money, resources trying to save it. Again, I continued to drown. I am my own worst critic and I beat myself up every day. I started to hate myself and think bad thoughts. At one point, I didn’t want to be here anymore. If you remember the former Miss USA’s tragic death.. I remember that hitting me soo hard. My soul wept. My heart was broken and of course I did not know her personally, but somehow the unspoken pain resonated with me. During this time, was one of the lowest points in my life and I was in a different type of survival mode.. well, numb at that point. All I did was cry. I was sad all fo the time. I felt like a complete failure. I felt worthless. I berated myself. I thought about every negative thing anyone has said to me or how the made me feel unwelcomed or unloved and I channeled that and almost, almost believed it.
I then reached out to a therapist. February marked one year of going to therapy and I feel so much better. My mindset had to be reset, and it wasn’t easy by any means. Through the months I slowly got better and I started to design different pieces. I began to read affirmation books, and write and recite my own daily affirmations… which led to designing the first affirmation bracelet for As I Am Jewelry Co. I was terrified of launching, but this brand is bigger than me. It is my testimony and I know that my story is going to touch a lot of people.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
“I am not enough. I am not good enough. Nobody cares.” Ever since I was a little girl, I would play these in my head. “Not enough…never enough” anything like that, I’ve thought it a million times over.
I, still to this day am unlearning that I need validation from anyone. God validates me, every day. I don’t need a father for that, or a friend. I am enough as I am, and more than enough. I am worthy and valuable. I bring value wherever I go.
The backstory goes all the way to my childhood. I felt invisible and I felt alone most of the time. Though I acquired many awards, achievements, and accolades, I still felt I was never enough. I became an overachiever and a perfectionist.
I have had to unlearn many toxic and traumatic moments to be where I am now. And that is why my mission is what it is and centers around mental health awareness and empowerment. I will never stop trying because it’s bigger than me and my story helps the next person, or even saves a life. Make sure you keep going to. The world needs you.
Contact Info:
- Website: asiamjewelry.com
- Instagram: @asiamjewelryco
- Other: email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Margarite