Transparent Christian Magazine

Eleven year old jewelry maker and entrepreneur Kianna Elkins discusses her new business, her motivation and the future of her creative endeavors.

{Editor’s Note}

I love interviews, and it’s even more gratifying when you love your subject.  Kianna is my daughter and she takes up a large residence in my heart.  She is such a positive young lady, and like her daddy she looks for the good in all things and all people.  She’s a straight A student, quick to laugh and smile, and unlike her daddy she’s very shy.

Kianna started making custom jewelry earlier this year and was asking lots of questions about turning her passion into a business.  I told her I would help her with a website and some suggestions, but she would be responsible for making all of the final decisions.

We talked about what she wanted to do with the money she makes, and discussed helping others.  She came up with donating some profits to our friend Leslie Face that runs the Faces of Hope, Children’s Therapy Center and I thought it was a fantastic idea.  She truly has a heart for people… already.  I couldn’t be more proud of her… I’ll stop gushing, meet Kianna!

Transparent: How old are you and what is the name of your business?

Kianna: I’ll be 12 in January, and my business name is Kianna’s Custom Jewelry.

Transparent: Where do you get the ideas for these earring designs?

Kianna: A few of them I get from books, and other times, I just look at my beads, and think of something creative I could do with them.

How did you get into this?

Kianna: I remember a long time ago, me and my friend Ally, she had a jewelry making kit, specifically earrings. I thought it would be a fun thing to do. I started out with just a few, and then worked my way up.

Transparent: What are your favorite kinds to make?

Kianna: My favorite kinds are the one that dangle, and have beads at the end.

Transparent: Like the one’s Lindsay from Lifechurch.tv picked out?

Kianna: Yes. (She’s the one in the picture).

Transparent:  What do you think your jewelry will look like in the future?

Kianna: I plan to keep making them and continuing to be very creative with them. Maybe I will work my way up to necklaces and bracelets.

Transparent:  What kind of reaction are you getting from people.

Kianna: People seem to be surprised by what I’m doing right now, because of my age. I think they see me as creative. I really enjoy that.  Everyone has been very supportive already.

Transparent:  How did you decide to give something to a charity?

Kianna: Well, I heard a sermon at church about tithing, and I thought about it.  I just wanted to help someone, and Leslie’s a friend of mine, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to help her.

Transparent: If this takes off, what do you plan to do with your profits?

Kianna: I’m saving a 3rd of the money for more beads and stuff, and hope to make enough to eventually buy more valuable beads.  Another 3rd I’m setting aside for the business, and the last 3rd I’m using as spending money.  That makes up 90%, and the other 10% I give away.  The spending money, I’m saving for something valuable… I really like those small laptops!

Transparent:  What are some other hobbies?

Kianna: I love swimming, writing, reading and playing Wii, I like hanging out with my cat Jazzy, and I love horses.

Transparent:  How long do you think you will be making jewelry?

Kianna: As long as I can. I really enjoy it.

Transparent:  How has God been blowing your mind lately?

Kianna: He’s been blessing me with business so far. I have gone to two events so far, and we made about $200. The first one was  the Halloween “Trunk or Treat” for Faces of Hope and it was fun.  The second one was last week at the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce, and I met a lot of really nice people.

Transparent:  Tell me about your model program.

Kianna: Well, I wanted to let people have a picture on the website if they want, and I don’t worry about WHAT they look like, everyone can be a model.  I like to see beauty in all things.  If they want to take a picture of themselves wearing Kianna’s Custom Earrings I’d love to add it to my site.

Transparent:  What’s with these stories on your site?

Kianna: I was hoping people would get to know me better by reading these stories.  I’m hoping that they can see my creativity through them as well.

Transparent: With school and chores, how do you find time to do all of this?
Kianna: I get home from school before 3:00, so I have a few hours in the evenings to do what I need to do, plus I try to get my homework done at school or on the bus.

Transparent: What are your plans for the next few months?

Kianna: We are just figured out pricing and shipping and everything for the people that are ordering from my website. We have everything correct right now, selling the earrings for $12.50 and shipping them for free. As we get more orders, I want to employ Logan (Kianna’s younger brother) to help me with the shipping. That way, he can make a little money too, and be a part of my business.

Transparent: Well you already have your dad working for you. (Laughs)
Kianna: I guess it’s a family business then! (Laughs)

Transparent: How can people find out about your earring selection?
Kianna: They can go to my “Store Page” on my website and look through the pictures. I’m going to be updating it and adding new jewelry.

Click here to see Kianna’s Site!