Today we’d like to introduce you to Klarissa Castro.
Hi Klarissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For the past 12 years, I have been working as a psychotherapist. I earned my master’s and doctorate at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles campus. It’s what lead me to be in LA from Chicago. Born and raised in the north suburbs of Chicago. I had been working in private practice in Beverly Hills and in DTLA. I was going through the process of taking my licensing exam. I kept failing and trying over and over again. After the 7th time, I felt like it was a message to the universe that this isn’t something that I want to do. I had felt it but had ignored it. I loved my clients and felt it was an honor to be part of their journey, but the work wasn’t meant for me. Feeling defeated, I decided that I was going to do my own business. I didn’t know what I wanted to do yet, but I knew my entrepreneurial spirit was always there.
In February of 2019, I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. It was more of a reason for me to look at what I really wanted to do and recognize that I wasn’t happy. The irony was that not only did I research and teach positive psychology, the study of happiness, but I always encouraged my clients to do what they want to in life. I also gravitated toward fashion and styling. However, the one thing I always had a difficult time finding was rose gold jewelry. Everything was either silver or gold and the occasional rose gold. I had a lot of designs that I would like to wear but never found them. The collision of not being happy, knowing I was pregnant, wanting to be with family more, and my love for fashion got me to pivot to jewelry design. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew in my gut that it was the direction that I needed to take. If I encouraged others, I should too. My clients and my tribe of women in my life became my inspiration for my pieces. I had learned so much with my education and my clients that the psychology part was something I wanted to maintain. So while I was pregnant and finishing with private practice, I started designing and figuring out manufacturing.
Once I had my daughter, I started photographing my products to launch my website. I had given birth to two loves, my daughter and now my business. I launched my business during the first lockdown of COVID. Not ideal and not the time where people would be buying jewelry. But non the less I pounded the pavement and hustled to get my name out there (still am) from social media to networking to giving stores my samples. Through this process, I had discovered my love for creativity and found the catalyst to the business side of me. K Mae Jewelry is a symbol of a woman’s journey in her life. To learn who she is, investing in herself, and ultimately owning it. My transition is an example of that. I believe we are constantly evolving and learning to lean into that process. Women can then find their ‘signature piece’ of who they feel they are at that moment. This jewelry isn’t just meant for special occasions, but all the little celebrations along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth ride haha. I was entering into a whole world that I didn’t know. A lot of people in the jewelry world have been in it for generations. Most of them didn’t take me seriously at all. I then looked to anyone I knew in the jewelry world to get me contacts not only to mentor me but also to manufacture. Another struggle was being able to balance all the roles. I would love to just be creative, but I had to learn marketing, accounting, how to make a website…etc. Plus, I am a new mom so trying not to put pressure on myself and to be patient with the process.
One of the biggest struggles is navigating the world of social media. From working with people face to face and now through social media was a whole new dynamic. I am all about being real and authentic and to express that through social media with a jewelry brand has been a challenge.
We’ve been impressed with K Mae Jewelry, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
K Mae Jewelry is exclusively rose gold. It’s dainty and minimalistic. The idea was about declaring who we are without making a big statement. From my work in psychology, I truly believe in investing in your emotional well being. It’s easy to cure or fix something medically, but with emotions, it’s not tangible. It’s about understanding where you are in your life and finding your signature piece that represents that. What I am most proud of is that my pieces are thoughtful. The meaning behind each of them. The story it shares. This brand is very personal and I want people to know that it is a brand where they can truly be who they are with no judgment and no apologies.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.kmaejewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmaejewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K-mae-jewelry-302499373737450/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Image Credits
Jenny Chok – personal photo Alessandra Griffin – photo of all the women wearing mask chains All the other photos I shot.
