Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Parsons.
Hi Kate, 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.
I founded Kate and Mae with my younger sister Mae in July 2020 at the young ages of 14 and 9. I felt called to start a business, and once seeing pearls at a craft store, I knew it had to be jewelry; Mae wanted in, so it was Kate and Mae. We knew we couldn’t run a business if it didn’t have a mission and purpose which we were passionate about, so after a few months, we decided to inspire girls to shine their light. We believe shining your light is using what you are good at and gifted in to help those around you. Our mission is the basis of our whole company. This has led to a brand ambassador program completely different than anyone else’s, popups that make impacts, and products that encourage. We want our customers to be reminded when they wear our jewelry to shine just as bright as it and like to make that a challenge with 24k gold and high-quality materials.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our business journey has not always been a smooth road. It has been filled with so many ups and downs but it has been so worth it. Throughout our time we navigated challenges such as running a business while in school full-time and learning to work together as business owners while being sisters. Each day, we have new hurdles, but I think it is one of the things I love about being an entrepreneur: you get to handle new challenges each day and overcome them as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
At Kate and Mae, we offer a variety of products for girls and women of all ages. Charms is our girl’s collection. The line includes colorful chain necklaces and cute charms parents remember having as a kid, but they are as sophisticated as children jewels go, pastel, and make girls feel like princesses. Couture is a collection made for moms and daughters with Freshwater Pearls and 24k Gold, timeless pieces. The classy collection, including bracelets and rings, was made for special occasions and daily wear, dress it up or down, the quality goes with everything. We also carry 24k earrings and necklaces as well as jewelry cases, surprise boxes, and the fan-favorite Bracelet Making Kit. Not only does Kate and Mae offer high-end products at an affordable price, but the jewelry was made for girls by girls with a big mission in mind. Our goal at Kate and Mae is to inspire girls to shine their light in all we do. A new line that we are now offering is the Words Matter Collection. This collection is a line of pearl bracelets, that each have an encouraging word on them. Encouragement can wear off just like a New Year’s resolution, but what’s cool about these bracelets are that they remind you. When wearing these bracelets not only does it look amazing with every outfit, but it encourages you and those around you.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I think that in our business, luck hasn’t been a big factor at all, bad or good. I think the passion and the hard work have impacted it the most. The late-night hours and early mornings, the hard conversations and hard work that seems to have led to no reward. Yet, in regards to Kate and Mae, we feel like the luckiest girls in the world that we would be given a purpose and a passion so great as this.
Contact Info:
- Website: Kateandmae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate.and.mae?igsh=amUzb2N5NHBqb2x6
Image Credits
Meira Glynn Photography
