Meet Kylie Keltner | Small Business Owner

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

Hi Kylie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After being laid-off from my job as a Human Resources Executive, I needed something to keep me busy while applying for other jobs. I’ve always been a creative person but wanted to try something new maybe a little out of the ordinary. I looked into a couple of other ideas but when I came across polymer clay and the MANY ways you can use it, I decided to give it a go! After showing friends and family my creations, they encouraged me to start selling them – I wasn’t convinced. I honestly didn’t think I could start my own business, it seemed impossible, but I had a lot of support. It took a while for me to get everything set up and going but I did it! To be able to call yourself a small business owner is an amazing feeling so it was worth the process to get there.

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?
There are a lot of individuals out there who make beautiful jewelry but I think what sets K. Marie Jewelry apart is the fact that each piece is handcrafted so there’s a part of me that went into making it. It’s very rewarding to see people wear or use something you’ve put a lot of work into.

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?
Oh my goodness, where do I even start?! I was born and raised in San Diego so there are probably spots I would pick that aren’t as “fun” but some things that shouldn’t be missed would be the San Diego Zoo for sure. Balboa Park is beautiful and there’s a restaurant with great food and drinks called Panama 66. The beach is probably pretty obvious but I’d also check out Coronado Island. One of the best views in the city, in my opinion, is Mister A’s. Go see a baseball game or a show. That’s the awesome thing about San Diego – there’s literally something for everyone and you don’t have to go too far to experience everything SD has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s probably not a huge surprise, but my friends and family. They encouraged me to keep going even when I felt discouraged and overwhelmed. There was (and still is) a lot of self-doubt when it comes to what you think you can do but I had an awesome support system that pushed me when I needed it.

Website: https://kmariejewelryco.etsy.com

Instagram: @k.mariejewelry.co

Facebook: @k.mariejewelry.co

Other: Tik Tok: k.marie.jewelry