Interview with Jeweler Jennie Yoon, Founder of Kinn Studio
Kinn Studio designs modern heirlooms, made to last a lifetime. Modern, yet timeless, every piece is hand-crafted from solid gold — never filled or plated, nor vermeil. We interviewed Jennie Yoon, Founder & CEO of Kinn.
What is the ethos behind your brand?
We believe in in celebrating women, and the uniqueness of their lives. That every woman has a story to tell, and the jewelry she wears is a part of that. In designing modern heirlooms, made to last a lifetime — the kind she’ll never want to take off.
Kinn forgoes the steep markups typical of most jewelry companies, with one simple goal in mind: to develop and manufacture fine jewelry at an attainable price. We uphold rigorous quality standards at every step of the manufacturing process, ensuring each piece of jewelry is true to Kinn’s ethos. Above all else, Kinn is dedicated to creating jewelry that embodies our customers’ many moments lived — then, now, always.
We love to invite founders to share moments in their entrepreneurial lives that can be very real, intense, or often challenging. When did you have one of the moments and how did you rise to the occasion and overcome that challenge? Was there a time the challenge was too great, and you decided to go a different direction?
It's a challenge when you're building something from scratch, and when everything is unknown. I'm faced with one of the biggest challenges right now as a new mom! As the business continues to grow, I'm also faced with lack of sleep, and feeling that there aren't enough hours in a day to run the business, to bond with the newborn, to be a good friend, wife, and daughter. This is definitely testing my patience, but also testing how much I can tolerate the challenge.
During these moments, I'm reminded by my favorite quote, "surround yourself with people who push you to be your best self," and it's those who cheer me on, remind me to stay focused and that I've got this. It really does take a village to build something great after all.
“It's a challenge when you're building something from scratch, and when everything is unknown. I'm faced with one of the biggest challenges right now as a new mom!”
Jennie Yoon
How do you keep your brand authentic and relatable, especially in the world of today with picture perfect social media feeds?
Every piece that we make is inspired by people, and the stories of those who wear them. For example, our Pauline Ellipse Ring was inspired by my husband's grandmother's wedding ring, and highlights a short narrative describing who she is, and what the ring meant to her. With this, it naturally brings out the authenticity in our storytelling, but also in our assets. We also share our sketches, to CAD (computer aided design), to the actual manufacturing process to educate our customers on how our products are made—allowing them to be part of the experience.
What are your tips for self-care as an entrepreneur?
To surround yourself with people who push you to be your best self.
What has helped you grow your business?
Community. They say it takes a village to create something good. I mean, real good. Whether those are your friends, family, friends of friends, or a complete stranger that you met at a networking event—not only will they push you to be your best self, but they will also support you to continue to build.