Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kim Vaage, designer, and owner of Jasper Wild, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Jasper Wild is where geological beauty meets wearable art! Since 2016, Jasper Wild offers luxurious, Nature-inspired jewelry all done by one woman's set of hands. I want every piece made to awaken a sense of freedom in you, whether it is because you care deeply for nature or a certain piece simply connects with you. "Jasper Wild is for those who run through the forest barefoot to feel the Earth's heartbeat."
Jasper Wild's values ultimately define its jewelry creations. Not only does nature inspire every piece, but its protection is also the backbone of the production process. The avoidance of toxic chemicals to sourcing selected materials aimed at lowering its carbon footprint, to recyclable and biodegradable packaging are all at the forefront of the business.
On top of it all, each purchase makes the world shine a little brighter by donating 5% of all its profits to environmental protection, animal welfare, and women-empowerment-focused charities.
"I cannot be so lucky to make jewelry for you all and not give back. I want you to feel good about wearing your piece, to feel intrinsically connected to it the way we are to our planet."
Tell us about yourself
I am Kim Vaage (pronounced Vōguey in Norwegian), an artisanal jewelry artist from Montreal, QC, Canada. I have always been a creative person involved in jewelry making and painting; however, after graduating in Anthropology years ago, I focused more on achieving a professional career in that industry and less time on the arts, which I realized made me truly happy.
But... if you listen intently enough, you will always hear your inner voice telling you whether you are on your life's true path. As the years went by, that feeling and voice inside just got stronger and louder for me to return to doing the things that brought sincere joy to my life. So Jasper Wild was created!
Since 2016, I have been creating designs that bond my two passions, art, and nature. Having studied at Montreal's Jewelry School and School of Gemology, which I continue to do, I seek to unite a technical approach with nature's geological beauty. I want freedom and the wild to be felt in each piece.
Jasper Wild is a one-woman-owned business. I design, create, source, photograph everything on my own, and I sincerely love every minute of it!
I put my whole hippy nature-loving heart into my jewelry. I am deeply inspired by a simpler way of life and the beauty of our surrounding nature.
Be free, be wild and NEVER tune out your inner voice!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Doing my own taxes! Joking aside, I wanted to take on the challenge of doing my personal and business taxes because I knew it would help me fully understand the impacts of every aspect of my business. Keep in mind I have a small business with no employees, so the complexity was within my capacity. There is a sense of accomplishment by taking full control of such a daunting task.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Trusting and following your gut. I don't mean to make decisions based on a gut feeling blindly but rather to know when to silence the noise around you when you think a decision is the right one. Whether the context of that decision is timing, branding style, or financial investment, that gut feeling can carry you through to the other side of a risky decision that others may have doubted you on.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have an insatiable curiosity about your business space.
- If you are planning to leave a secure paying job, wait until you just can't take it anymore. Save, plan, work two jobs, and dream until that last minute. In my experience, I waited over a year longer than I thought was my limit before leaving my "9-5 job," and when I did, the stars seemed to align!
- Be regimented. You are now your own boss. No one is going to tell you to do the boring parts of your job or to push yourself out of your comfort zone; it's all on you! :)
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jasperwild.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasperwild17/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasper_wild/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
