Meet Katie Cornelison | Designer & Owner

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

Hi Katie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Before starting my own business, I had lost my steady source of income due to COVID. I was enjoying the time I was getting to spend with my one year old son, and had always loved the idea of working mostly from home. Something I’ve always loved to do is make jewelry. In high school, my mom and I made bracelets on the weekends, sitting in front of the TV. I had continued to make jewelry since then, and had always thought in the back of my mind, it could become a business. I became pregnant with my second child in 2021, and knew that now, more than ever, I wanted to enjoy my work, and do it from home, so I could spend as much time as possible with my kids. I made a business plan, for affordable and trendy jewelry, that the every day women could wear on a regular basis, and so, Kate Meraki was born.

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.
A lot of the reason I started this business, was because I was sick of not enjoying my work. As cliché as it sounds, I truly enjoy every moment I spend working on Kate Meraki. Getting to shop for new beads may be the best part of the job. Picking out beautiful pieces and brainstorming what beads to put together to make the perfect bracelet is part of the creative process that makes this work so much fun. Sitting down and actually creating the bracelets is probably just as good of a time. I am a one woman show around here. Bead selection, jewelry making, product photography, Etsy and website building, order fulfillment, attending markets and pop ups, bookkeeping, and so much more. Having a vision and setting out to fulfill a dream by doing all of these things myself, is what I’m most proud of. This business is new, small, and I’m definitely learning as I go, but I’m having a blast doing it. I am excited for the growth of Kate Meraki and to see what the future has in store!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I feel like this would have been easier to answer this a few years ago, before having two small children and a pandemic hitting, because I don’t get out much anymore! Even though it’s been a while, my favorite spot in the city to grab a drink and a little bite would be Under the Volcano. It has a great laid back vibe, with the best frozen screwdrivers. (ask for a vanilla topper, but be careful, they sneak up on you.) I love the area of Rice Village, so I would definitely say shopping in the village beforehand would be a fun place to check out as well. There is enough cute shops and restuarants to make a whole afternoon of it. Now that I’ve migrated to the suburbs, Sugar Land Town Center is always an exciting spot to stroll around, shop, and grab a bite to eat on a patio. My most frequented place these days, however, is the Houston Zoo. We are members, so whenever the weather is nice, you can find us there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without my mom, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing. Part of my reason behind starting this business, was to work from home, so I could be near my children. But you don’t generally get a lot of work done with a newborn and a 2 year old running around, and that’s where my mom, Cindy Cornelison, comes in. She has been the best grandma and caretaker I could ask for, and without her help with the kids, I wouldn’t have been able to start this business. Not to mention, I have had her make a bracelet or two here and there. Thanks Mom! I love you!

Website: www.shopkatemeraki.etsy.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/shopkatemeraki

Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopkatemeraki