Today we’d like to introduce you to Keyla Acevedo-Santiago.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I was born in Puerto Rico and uprooted to Texas in 2004 due to my mother’s teaching job offer in Dallas. At the time, this move was met with strong resistance, as I cherished my life in Puerto Rico, deeply involved in dance and acting as a teenager. However, with time, I understood and appreciated my parents’ decision to seek better opportunities for my siblings and me in the United States.
I learned English and completed my high school education in Dallas before shifting to College Station to study bilingual education at Texas A&M. This path resonated with my long-standing passion for teaching. During my childhood, I displayed signs of this inclination, often mimicking my mother’s teaching role and setting up makeshift classrooms at home. I went through many Expo markers as I wrote lessons on mirrors and pretended to teach my siblings and dolls along the way!
A surprising detour emerged when I became a mother at A&M, facing additional challenges as I was diagnosed with cancer in my eighth month of pregnancy. Despite the difficulties of managing surgery, treatments, college, and new motherhood, I persevered and graduated in 2013. Returning to Dallas, I started my teaching career and have relished every moment of positively impacting young lives for the last 11 years. My son, Zay, is now 12! It is such a joy to be his mother! He’s healthy, happy, and the biggest ray of light in my life. I moved to Austin 6 years ago, looking for new grounds to call home and following the nature-loving and adventure-seeking side of me. Loved bloomed as I connected with a remarkable woman I get to marry next November, making me a bonus mom to her 19-year-old, Kai.
I launched KAZA Fused Jewelry in April of 2023 to channel my creativity and leave my comfort zone. Owning a business was never in my plans. Still, it has been such a challenging, gratifying, and wonderful experience – allowing me to unlock my potential and meet some fantastic people. As if being a mom to an athlete, a full-time teacher, and a new business owner was not enough to keep me busy, I returned to school and will finish an MBA next year. I know the universe has a lot in store for my family and me, and I am so excited to continue to live a purposeful, wholesome life as we grow together!
Through the creation of KAZA, I aspire for our individually crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces to embody a poignant reminder of the profound interconnectedness that binds people within this vast world. It’s a wish that the chains we use symbolize collective unity, countering the glaring differences that often shine too bright in today’s society. Ultimately, despite our diverse paths, we coexist in this world “blended into a single entity.”
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The allure of permanent jewelry is undeniable—trendy, enjoyable, and distinctly individual, resonating with people’s preferences. But, navigating the business aspect of having a small business has its challenges. Establishing brand awareness and gaining a foothold in a competitive market requires strategic marketing and a unique selling proposition. Building a reliable supplier network for high-quality materials and ensuring consistent craftsmanship is essential for delivering durable and appealing pieces. Navigating pricing strategies that balance profitability and affordability while considering production costs can be intricate. Managing inventory, handling customer inquiries, and maintaining an online and physical presence also demand time and attention. The effort involved in putting myself out there, reaching out to local small businesses, and compiling a roster of stores to connect with during weekends can be time-intensive and sometimes disheartening. Yet, I am deeply grateful for the small business owners who’ve taken a chance on me, allowing me to embrace and cultivate this dream. Admittedly, the market is bustling with competition, but there is enough space under the sun for us, permanent jewelry techs, to shine!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
KAZA | Fused Jewelry focuses on providing customers with unique, one-of-a-kind, custom-fitted pieces (bracelets, anklets, necklaces) that do not have a clasp. Customers pick their chains and charms if they wish to add them, and then we “fuse” it together to make it permanent. We must offer versatile pieces; we use gold-filled and sterling silver chains, which are highly beneficial due to their combination of durability, aesthetics, and affordability. Gold-filled jewelry consists of a thick layer of genuine gold bonded to a base metal core, offering the luxurious appearance of solid gold at a fraction of the cost. This makes it an attractive option for creating long-lasting pieces with a rich, lustrous finish that doesn’t tarnish easily. On the other hand, sterling silver, composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy, exhibits a timeless elegance while being more affordable than solid silver. We also take custom orders for customers who wish to buy solid gold or silver pieces. KAZA allows everyone to create memories while having cherished pieces meant to withstand the test of time.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve come to appreciate the significance of adaptability in life’s journey. Our plans often unfold in unexpected sequences, prompting us to learn the art of flexibility. Balancing my roles in teaching and the permanent jewelry realm has taught me this lesson vividly. The need for versatile skills and a resilient mindset becomes evident in these diverse careers. The constants within both paths are dedication, creativity, and unwavering perseverance. This mindset has guided me to embrace change and deploy my accumulated skills to tackle unforeseen challenges. Furthermore, I’ve learned the value of forging connections with strangers that can blossom into friendships. This realization extends to my customers, who are more than mere buyers—they emerge as advocates and supporters. This insight underscores the importance of authenticity, transparency, and delivering exceptional customer experiences, which form the bedrock for fostering business growth and long-term sustainability.
Pricing:
- Prices vary ($50+)
Contact Info:
- Phone: (512) 598-0382
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazafusedjewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kazafusedjewelry
Image Credits
Kat Day-Gomez
