We recently had the chance to connect with Kowa Mattern and have shared our conversation below.
Kowa, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently completed a new Herself Collections design called the Secret Message Necklace. It is made with moonstone and 14k gold beads and in Morse Code spells out “Peace”. I was meeting up with a friend for dinner, and had this urgency to just finish the necklace before running out the door. During dinner, my friend was telling me that she was having a rough time lately, and just needed some peace! So I took the necklace off and gave it to her as a little token of peace- it just felt meant to be! I love when I can make people smile with the pieces I create.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kowa Mattern, and I am the owner and designer of the jewelry brand Herself Collections. I started the business at the end of 2019, right before the world shut down with Covid, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise, because it allowed me a lot of alone time in which I started to design and make my own pieces. I have so many incredible women in my life who inspire me daily, and I love to create pieces of jewelry that are not only beautiful, but sturdy enough for everyday wear. I place a big focus on quality so that my jewelry creations stay with the wearer and out of landfills.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think trust is the biggest thing that can make or break bonds between people, and I think that the same goes for customers and brands too. People are becoming more and more aware that high costs don’t necessarily mean good quality, and brands need to step up to the plate and stand behind the products they sell. I love when I can repair or customize a piece of jewelry for a customer because it not only keeps that item from becoming waste, it also allows me to build long-lasting relationships between Herself Collections and the customer. One of the most common customizations I do is resizing bracelets. 7 inches is the average size, but many women need larger or smaller sizes for the perfect fit. I love that I can make adjustments so that the customer has a piece that was made specifically for them.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were definitely times when I wanted to give up, but after taking needed breaks to recalibrate, I always found myself going back to my jewelry table and feeling inspired to create new pieces. I am so thankful to the supportive friends and family around me who encourage me any time I begin to question myself. In hindsight, I think you really need a little bit of magical thinking and naivety to start your own business. There are so many things I had to learn (and am still learning!) and other people I have to rely on, because one person really cannot do it all. In the end, it is all about my community of love and support that allows me to fulfill my dreams.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think that our modern day society has a too narrow version of “smart”. There are so many beautiful variations of intelligence, but we tend to only praise the type of intelligence that gets straight A’s in school and can understand the capitalist frame in which we currently operate. CEO’s of huge companies are considered smart business people for their ability to exponentially increase profits and make shareholders happy, but too often, this comes at the expense of the quality of life of the workers (not to mention the environment), and to me that is really just the opposite of smart! I look forward to a day when the people who are considered the smartest, are those that are able to provide strong foundations for which everybody in a community and the environment can thrive.
My business is not perfect, and I have a lot of room to improve, but I am moving towards the direction of having better metal sources. Like most industries, the metal mining industry is rife with the mistreatment of people and the earth. To help combat this, I have a collection of pieces made with Fairmined Gold, which is an organization that ensures that the people of the gold mining communities are paid fairly, have safe working conditions and are treating their environment with care.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I would like to say I could, but I really don’t know if that is true! Whenever I doubt if I should continue my business or my craft, I really depend on my supporters to remind me that they love my work. I get so much inspiration from direct feedback, and I really think that humans maybe weren’t meant to live in a bubble where they did not get positive or even negative comments from people around them.
One of my favorite parts about running this business is attending small business markets, meeting customers in person and hearing what they love and don’t love about my jewelry. It really helps me improve. I am so thankful to Markets for Makers, which is an organization that hosts market events across the US where small businesses can come together and present their craft to the public. My next market will be in New York, November 22-23 at Industry City, Brooklyn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.herselfcollections.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herselfcollections/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herselfcollections
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herselfcollections/
Image Credits
Nikki Hirst
