We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mindy Kittay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mindy, appreciate you joining us 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.

Embarking on the journey creating The Kama Connection was a risk that reshaped my entire trajectory. After a fulfilling career as a library director, I craved the opportunity to use my creativity but I wasn’t sure what that would look like so I decided to fulfill a life long dream of travelling the world with no agenda for a year or more. I made it to Costa Rica and Bali and then Covid happened and I had to return home with no plan. Soon after friends began to encourage me to open a store in Joshua Tree (near where I was living), in order to sell the jewelry and meditation tools I was creating. This was not something I had thought about and certainly not during a shut down but rents were low and Joshua Tree was incredibly busy as city dwellers wanted to be out in nature and not locked up in their homes and apartments. The risk came when I decided to take the leap and transition to entrepreneurship, opening an ecommerce and brick and mortar store. Creating a space where I could make and offer my Malas and jewelry and create community by holding events and markets, a place where women would feel beautiful and supported, all while simultaneously championing artists in the Himalayans, Bali, India and beyond.

This venture meant stepping away from the familiar and embracing the unknown, taking the risk of learning new skills, and curating a collection that not only celebrates individual beauty but also supports artisans in distant regions. It has been challenging and certainly a learning experience. Currently I have closed my brick and mortar store for the Winter and am focusing on building my web presence and refining my jewelry and clothing lines. These are things I did not have the time for during the whirlwind of creating the Kama Connection.

The decision was a gamble on the belief that my jewelry and clothing could be a powerful vehicle for self-esteem and social impact. This risk, born out of my passion for lifting others and my need to create, has turned into a rewarding journey of making a positive difference in both local and global communities.

Mindy, 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?

For those unfamiliar with The Kama Connection, I’m Mindy Kittay, an entrepreneur and community advocate. My journey, fueled by a passion for art and connection, led me to establish a business that goes beyond commerce. The Kama Connection is a purpose-driven venture that showcases unique, stylish, and comfortable clothing, along with one-of-a-kind art jewelry items. What sets us apart is our commitment to fostering both local and global connections, supporting artists, and making a positive impact on communities worldwide.

The Kama Connection was launched in December 2020. I Initially conceived it as a venue to showcase my own jewelry designs but soon realized that by expanding my offerings I could better support both my community and other artists and creators around the World. I remembered the lovely clothing I had purchased in Bali and realized how my signature beaded mala necklaces and the colorful exotic clothing worked so beautifully together. Working on designs in partnership with the Balinese owner, a unique assortment of Bohemian and sensual styles soon became my trademark. I then expanded by carrying other women owned and designed lines of clothing and accessories.

As I became more familiar with “My Why”, I understood that giving back had to be the backbone of what I was creating. I wanted to support and help to significantly improve primary school access for children from disadvantaged communities in the Himalayas. I connected with Mahesh, the Principal of the Laligurash Bright Future English School in Nepal and we began a partnership whereby he provided Kama with Yaks wool shawls, blankets, clothing and other locally created art which we sell and donate a portion back to Laligurash. We also donate monthly to The Delek Children’s Foundation which provides education and healthcare to children in need throughout the Himalayan region of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet,

I take immense pride in being a catalyst for change, providing opportunities to artists globally and supporting various causes. The Kama Connection is more than a store; it’s a manifestation of belief in oneself, helping others, doing good, and spreading joy. I invite potential clients, followers, and fans to join us in transforming lives, one purchase at a time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience became a defining aspect of my journey when I unintentionally became a community connector during the pandemic. Opening my store in Joshua Tree in December of 2020, during a time when options were limited, turned into an opportunity to bring people together. The challenge was met with resilience as I transformed my parking lot into a vibrant open-air market for local creators and artists every weekend. I built a stage in my outdoor space and monthly hosted free live music events. Despite uncertainties, the community thrived, demonstrating the profound impact of resilience and the ability to create unity even in challenging circumstances.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Navigating the realm of manufacturing for The Kama Connection has been a journey of creativity and collaboration. While my roots lie in jewelry design, I extended the vision to curate a diverse array of products. Crafting my own jewelry allows for a personal touch, but for clothing and other items, I’ve established partnerships with skilled vendors in Bali and beyond.

Clothing design was not something I had any education or experience in but I felt that with the right partnerships I would be able to create clothing that women would feel good in. Through a lot of research I was able to locate and contact the designer, Agustina, for the clothing I had fallen in love with in Bali. Even with the language barrier Agustina and I have been able to build a strong relationship. During Covid, while Bali was closed to tourists for over two years, I was able to help keep this factory in operation with my purchases. Earlier this year I travelled to India and met with tailors and jewelers that I had been researching and corresponding with online. I now have other lines made in India that are a wonderful addition to Kama.

Profound satisfaction comes from not only creating unique, quality products but also sustaining these artisanal partners, especially during the challenging times of COVID-19 lockdowns. It’s a humbling and gratifying experience to witness the impact of these collaborations.

Contact Info:

• Website: thekamaconnection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekamaconnection/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekamaconnection
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindykittay/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvtKk4hVHwMdmeoxIXkHfFg
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kama-connection-no-title
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mindykittay/