Meet Clare Briglio of Kings & Priests

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clare Briglio.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My life path was pretty “typical” until my late 20’s. I was always academically and work focused. I graduated from college and got a steady job that paid well. Everything looked fine on the outside but on the inside, I was struggling because I wasn’t connecting what I did from 9-5 to my real passion or purpose. The worst part about the struggle was that I couldn’t really identify what my passion was. I knew some of the answer but not all of it.

I had a conversation with my boss one afternoon that changed everything. I was expressing to her my dissatisfaction with my job and the lack of connection I had to my work. She encouraged me to pursue creative hobbies outside of working hours that would feed that part of my soul. I knew in that moment I did not want that to be my life.

I wanted to create a life and a vocation that I could bring my whole self to every day and that was just the beginning. I wanted more.

Shortly thereafter, my husband and I decided to leave our corporate jobs and take a year sabbatical to answer those deeper questions. We traveled and did some self-study and at the end of that year I decided to start my own business. I had discovered during that year that I had often found myself in jobs that I performed well in but I hit what I called a “creative ceiling”. I didn’t know that what I was really experiencing was a desire to create. I had ignored that part of myself for so long and now I was ready to experiment. I took what had been my hobby of creating jewelry as the first place to start and I launched a jewelry company selling in stores from Montecito to Corona del Mar.

The path to success is never straight and mine has certainly taken some turns. I discovered with the launch of my jewelry business that while I loved to create and design I didn’t love to sell. However, I loved to work directly with customers helping them create the life and style that they desired. I changed my business model from a product to service based model and found the role of advisor/guide as a natural fit. Gradually I expanded my offerings to include home décor services and found another passion in helping others create a home that they love.

In my process, I used two questions as a constant guide when I felt dissatisfied or the business wasn’t working the way I wanted it to. 1. What do you love? 2. What comes naturally to you? Whenever I give myself permission to answer those questions honestly, it always brings clarity in which direction to go.

The business I have today is not the one I started with and for so many reasons I count this as a success and I am truly grateful.

Has it been a smooth road?
I think the biggest struggles for me have always centered around this idea of permission.

I see this often with my clients. So many of us do not give ourselves permission to go after what we want and many of us have a hard time acknowledging what we want. And if you can’t acknowledge what you want then it is nearly impossible to reach for it as a goal and receive it! I allowed myself to go after small goals when I started my business because they were easy to achieve but I didn’t push myself to play big.

I played small because it was more comfortable. Now I work with different business coaches and mentors that really challenge me in this area and I surround myself with people that are committed to playing big and are achieving more than I am. This keeps me focused and accountable to what I really want and encourages me to keep dreaming.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kings & Priests – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business has evolved from a jewelry design company that sold primarily wholesale to a design consulting firm specializing in interior and personal style. Our services include interior design and custom fine jewelry. I work a little differently than interior designers who may handle projects from start to finish, although that is something I can do, I specialize in guiding people through the interior design process and providing them resources to pull their look together. The interior design process for most people is overwhelming. My clients may have a sense of what they want and even a defined personal style and look that they are going for but need help in creating their vision. I help them fill in the gaps, provide guidance along the way and connections to tradesman and makers to help make it happen. My clients depend on my discerning eye and ability to solve problems creatively for them whether it is in their living space or with a custom piece of jewelry that they have been dreaming of.

I am most proud of the fact I can collaborate with a client and create something that is completely unique to them. I love hearing my client’s stories and I work closely with them to create something that reflects their personal image. At the end of the day I want my designs to celebrate the best of my client’s style identity and how they want to live.

In many ways I am best at helping them elevate and refine their personal style. This is my gift and I love sharing it with others.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the energy of the city. It attracts so many dreamers and people who are trying to make their mark.

LA people dream big. The energy that creates is inspiring. I love working on projects in the city and making connections with people around me. I grew up in the small town of Ojai about 60 miles north of LA. In a town the size of Ojai when someone new moves to town everyone knows it! In LA, there are so many people from different parts of the country and world that have moved for a dream. I love that type of courage and risk. I love the permission the city gives to be anyone you want to be and reinvent yourself if you need to. I think there are few places on earth like this.

If the city could do something about the traffic (I think we could all agree) it would be nearly perfect.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kingsandpriests.com
• Instagram: @clarebriglio

Image Credit:
Kim Corona

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.