We had the good fortune of connecting with Kalissa Caneda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalissa, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my business is making sure the beauty of jewelry from Hawai’i is shared. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and a lot of my jewelry is made from items that are popular in the culture, such as pearl jewelry. My main focus is providing affordable, handmade jewelry that is true to the culture that I’ve grown up around.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My jewelry is all handmade by me and inspired by Hawaiian modern jewelry. I am most proud of how far my art has come since I first started it in October 2021 and officially started my business in February 2022. One of the biggest challenges I had to face was dealing with my own doubts, I am my biggest critic. Throughout the process of building my business, I would be hold myself back from trying new ideas because I didn’t want that idea to fail. I learned that I needed to trust the process of letting my creativity take control because that is the foundation of my business. Another challenge of mine was comparing my jewelry to other businesses, but creating jewelry is a form of art and that isn’t comparable, it should be unique. What I want everyone to know about this business is that you can do anything you put your time, attention, and thoughts into.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Downtown Phoenix is a great place to explore. I love the food, shops, and activities that come with Downtown Phoenix. This area has a lot of Interactive Art you can see as you are walking throughout the city. There are also farmers markets and food events that happen on the weekends in Downtown Phoenix. I love the sunsets here, anywhere with a good view of the mountains while the sunsets is the place to be.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents are my biggest supporters and providers to this business I have created. They both have helped me build this passion from the ground up and it wouldn’t be where it was today if it wasn’t for them. Although I am away at college, they are still supporting me and this business from over 2,500 miles away.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/jewelrybykal/

Instagram: @jewelrybykal

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