Meet Lakeeia Smith | Owner of KIA KOLOUR

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

Hi Lakeeia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I created KIA KOLOUR in 2018 after discovering my ability to visually create and hand craft jewelry. It surprised me because I never created jewelry before and these visions of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets would pop into my mind. I would then sketch them out onto paper and figure out the best way I could construct them. I would spend hours trying to perfect these pieces and when I would wear them out, I received so many compliments. My mom said to me “you made those” ! You should sell them”. From there I started thinking and creating more and more. Thinking about the business mission and brainstorming on how I could create jewelry that could impact peoples’ lives. KIA KOLOUR was discovered not only as a jewelry brand but a way to build confidence. The pieces that I make are edgy and are meant to push people to take risks. For people to get out of their comfort zones and try something they never tried before.

“With every design, I wanted to give my jewelry life; a heartbeat, a real meaning of existence with true identity. Jewelry that projects a powerful voice that would allow women to find their own”

KIA KOLOUR jewelry was designed to help women peel back that layer of self doubt and lack of confidence. The jewelry society is meant to uplift women and encourage them to try something different and take the risk on YOU. I have discovered that women have different sides to them and my jewelry was created to help them unlock it, Intentionally with purpose.

Don’t go through life silent, make some noise. Let the world hear your voice. Our jewelry is the noise that I want the world to hear.

KIA KOLOUR’s unique jewelry pieces are made to make a statement by “Unlocking the enigma of a confident woman”

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets up apart from others?

Along with the unique and eye catching jewelry designs, I actually spent hours going over every detail of the brand and how I wanted to execute it : The leather represents living on the edge, risk taker, and mystery; while the swarovski crystals represent femininity, sexiness, and elegance. The combination of the two mimics the qualities of a woman. The pink and black concept for the KIA KOLOUR brand was to mix the soft and hard together. To merge the two extremes together into one; combining the elegant side and the edgy side of a woman in each of my handmade pieces.

I aim to build a community of strong and confident women who empower each other through bold statement jewelry pieces with the underlying message of the statement they want to express.

I encourage women to stop hiding behind jewelry that doesn’t compliment who they truly are or match their personality and be bold and secure enough to wear jewelry that speaks to the powerful-strong woman inside themselves.

Background

I always knew I wanted my own business but I also knew it would be challenging. I wanted to prepare myself as much as possible so I went back to school for Business Administration with a concentration in small business entrepreneurship. It really taught me a lot about the operations, supply chain management, business planning, marketing, and much more. Even though I thought I was prepared, it was very different when I started. As a small business owner it can be very challenging to bring brand awareness to a new company, and find the right marketing strategy all while staying within your budget. And at the time I didn’t have a large budget. I didn’t have a business loan or investor when I started, so all the money I put in my company was what I worked for. I also had to pay bills to support me and my family and there where times when I didn’t think it was going to work but I just had to keep the faith and push forward.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is… You know back in the day, your mom would say “ It takes a village to raise a child”, Well in essence, it takes a village to build a brand.

You need the support of your community and you need a team to help you build that community. You can’t do it all by yourself.

What do I want the world to know about KIA KOLOUR?

I want people to know that we are an empowerment jewelry brand. I want women to feel confident and bold when they wear my jewelry designs. I want to encourage them to step outside of the box and be bold, confident, and sexy no matter what someone else thinks. To be unafraid to express themselves through jewelry that is unique and mysterious.

My jewelry was created to capture both sides of a woman, the sophisticated and the edgy side. The combination is what makes the KIA KOLOUR brand special.

Our goal is to unlock the enigma of a confident woman.

In the future, I would like to expand the brand and become a household name. I would like to create more partnerships and build more relationships. This is how the brand will continue to stick around for many years to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love adventure so for a weekend trip with the ladies we would visit:

Breakfast at Barney’s
I-Fly
ROC SOUTH

The Original House of Pancakes
The Original Selfie Museum
Shopping at Lenox/ Little Five Points

Flying Biscuit
Candytopia
Big Bang Pizza
Whiskey Blue Lounge

Andretti indoor karting & Games
Jeju Sauna Spa
Top Golf

I love water parks, so we would definitely have to go to White Waters!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout my mom and dad who constantly inspires and motivates me everyday.

Website: www.kiakolour.com

Instagram: kiakolour

Facebook: KIA KOLOUR

Youtube: KIA KOLOUR

Image Credits
Lakeeia Smith Lakeya Anderson Lauren the Terrible Aisha Simone Serena Chen