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

Hi Katie, what do you attribute your success to?
I feel it is the personal aspect of 504 Freckles Avenue that contributes to my success. I knew from day one that I wanted to acknowlede the many beautiful souls who play significant roles in my life. I just didn’t know exactly how I was going to do that. When I first started making the Aromatherapy bracelets, I would finish one and think…Lennie would love this one, this bracelet is so Chloe, or my mom would absolutely wear this, and that is when it hit me, I knew how I wanted to honor them. They are the inspiration and namesakes for my creations….they are My Tribe. Each bracelet collection or “Tribe” is named after someone very special to me. I love an “Our Story” page on a website. It is one of the first things I read when visiting a new site. It allows me to feel like I know the creator when I can read about what sparked the idea for their company or read the history of the many generations that have kept the company thriving. I want to bring my customers into my world, and not only have them get to know me, but my friends and family who make up My Tribe as well. Each Tribe and every bracelet in that Tribe is very much inspired by the things they love and the things that make them the amazing people they are. Whether it is the beach, all things Autumn and Fall, tracking Zodiac charts, LGBTQ, or maybe they are here to save the bees. When you are shopping 504 Freckles Avenue and you love a certain style bracelet….you find your vibe, you find your Tribe.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My crafty side had a fling with the side of me that loves essential oils and BOOM! An aromatherapy baby was born … her name is 504 Freckles Avenue!! What I love about Aromatherapy Jewelry, is it allows you to be your own diffuser. Essential Oils can be used to help with stress, headaches, anxiety, energy, focus, and many other things. When using on a bracelet, you simply add a few drops of essential oils to the lava beads or wooden beads and enjoy the aroma of your oil blend all day. The idea for 504 Freckles Avenue was sparked back in 2011 to help my daughter with her anxiety. She would diffuse essential oils in her room to help ease her anxiety. When I discovered lava beads and learned that they can be used to diffuse essential oils, I made her a couple of bracelets to try. She used the same oils on her bracelets as she diffused in her room. When she was at school or out with friends, if she felt anxious, the smell of the oils on her bracelets would calm her. She associated the scent of the essential oils to her room, which was where she felt most comfortable and considered her safe space.

I didn’t seriously revisit the idea of making Aromatherapy Jewelry until the world was quarantined and Covid changed everything. I worked in a hospital, so my Covid experience was different than most, but I was inspired by what Covid was creating for those quarantined at home. Just like all of the entrepreneurs who rose from the Covid Quarantine ashes, I decided to add “entrepreneur” to my bio and work on having my very own business. I began making Aromatherapy bracelets in my spare time. Sales were strictly all word of mouth, friends/family buying and just people seeing the bracelets I was wearing and asking me about them. I was a walking advertisement for 504 Freckles Avenue everyday! As I created enough inventory, I started renting booths & setting up at markets. I knew I didn’t want to do that every weekend, so I went straight to the only “in the know” source available to me…I asked my teenagers about how I can use social media to get my small biz out there! Ha! They were actually a great source of information. I also looked into creating my own website.

I am a “baby” company and actually just launched my website in September of 2022. I did it!! Creating my website has been my biggest challenge so far. I received many offers from professionals to assist, however, I knew I wanted to learn every aspect of the business and knowing how to build/manage the website myself was a big piece of that puzzle. Being able to launch my website and have it be official was a very proud moment for me. I am still learning things about myself and how to get a business off and running. I have always been a dreamer, and I hope that 504 Freckles Avenue is a dream that continues to grow and evolve into something bigger than just an Aromatherapy jewelry company. I’m excited to create pieces that not only I am passionate about, but pieces that resonate with others too.

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 am actually fairly new to the Houston area, so I am exploring Houston and learning all the wonderful things it has to offer. Well, I lived here fresh out of High School for a couple of years, but things are oh so very different now. I mean, Astroworld was still open back then. I have actually enjoyed reading the different suggestions people have said on Shoutout HTX…I have definitely made notes. I love football, so I have had fun checking out different places to watch the games. District 249 has been a favorite place to go and has way more to offer than tv screens. I am looking forward to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo now that I am back in town. That is a must if you are here in Houston during that time of year.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a huge support system with my family. I receive a great amount of encouragement from not only my immediate family, but my extended family as well. My dad is 1 of 8 brothers and sisters, so our family tree is a big beautiful Post Oak tree. They have always shown their love and support for 504 Freckles Avenue as a business by ordering bracelets, but I love that they are also there when I simply need to talk or bounce ideas off of them. The moral support and uplifting encouragement played a big part when I decided to take that leap of faith and start my own business.

Website: www.504FrecklesAvenue.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/504frecklesavenue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/504FrecklesAvenue/

Other: TikTok: @504FrecklesAvenue

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.