We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Bowen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
The book that changed my life is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. It took me a while to read, as I felt my mind being slowly cracked open one page at a time. It’s the book that taught me about the human mind and how our thoughts and the stories in our heads aren’t actually the facts of the world. Learning to witness my thoughts and stories without being so heavily identified with them, and understanding how the mind is designed, has been a game changer in my personal life, my goals, and my relationships with both others and myself.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Untamed Sol is a beachy chic jewelry line that I started 1.5 years ago, and it’s truly a labor of love. Our collection is a curated mix of pieces I design and create myself, alongside some sourced from other talented designers. Inspired by what I call the SOLful living of San Diego, every piece at Untamed Sol carries the warmth of the sun and whispers a SoCal story. From sunset hues to carefree vibes, our jewelry reflects the SoCal spirit and invites people to express their untamed selves.

Jewelry and self-expression have been passions of mine from a very young age. I have fond memories of making jewelry with my grandma and hosting fashion shows for anyone who was at her house. Those moments sparked a lifelong love for jewelry-making, which eventually led me to create this business and fulfill my dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

Moving to San Diego brought a sense of fulfillment and freedom into my life; that coupled with being in the sun inspired the creation of the brand Untamed Sol. Coming from a corporate background, it’s incredibly refreshing to have something of my own and escape the hamster wheel. As cliché as it might sound, I’ve reached this point through sheer tenacity, a deep belief in my brand and its quality, and the unwavering support of our community.

The journey hasn’t been easy. There have been many days filled with self-doubt, and I’ve even considered quitting at times. But my belief in the possibilities keeps me going. Every time I create a piece and see someone’s eyes light up when they wear it, I’m reminded of why I started. Sometimes, it’s just about taking things one day at a time.

I’m proud of it all! I’ve created the brand, the website, the pieces, the culture, the vibe, almost every photo and piece of social media content, product descriptions, partnerships, countless markets, and the list goes on. We continue to have record sales days and months and I have to pinch myself every time. This journey has been a wild ride that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

I’ve learned countless lessons, many of them the hard way. But through it all, I’ve discovered that I’m capable of being an example of what’s possible. I want the world to know that Untamed Sol is more than just jewelry; it’s a piece of my heart and a reflection of the vibrant, carefree spirit of SoCal.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

My friends all know I’m obsessed with being outdoors and staying active. They will definitely have to hit the pickleball and padel courts with me, followed by a few beach days!

Torrey Pines and La Jolla Cove are a must! I love renting e-bikes when friends visit and exploring all the beach towns San Diego has to offer. Hopefully, they are game to take the Coaster down for a Padres game, and we can hit up Born and Raised for some espresso martinis and appetizers.

In Oceanside, we might have some drinks at Cococabana and The Rooftop, followed by dinner at Harney Sushi. Morning walks on the Oceanside Strand after grabbing a coffee from Vigilante Coffee and a movie night in after some comfort food at Flying Pig sound great for their last night.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

First and foremost, I have to give a shoutout to my grandmother, Eudy. She was always my biggest fan, cheerleader, and supporter, helping me tap into my creative side from a very young age. I know she would be so proud of me, and that feels good to know.

Of course, I also have to give a big shoutout to all my friends. It’s been a journey, and my friends have shown so much support along the way. Whenever I need a pep talk, an idea bounced off someone, a design opinion, a product photography model, a pit stop by my house to bring me something I forgot, etc., they never fail to show their support.

It’s important to recognize all the amazing people in Southern California who support small businesses. Most of my customers have found me either through social media sharing or live events, and I’m so grateful for each and every one of them.

Website: www.untamesol.com

Instagram: Untamed_Sol

Image Credits
Creative Babe Markets, Maker and Shakers, and myself

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.