Beauty In the Beads: EEKONOMY Jewelry

We are a day away from Thanksgiving and lately I have been spending some time giving thought to the many things I am thankful for. Once I really started physically listing my blessings, I began to see that wants in my life are nice and I'm thankful I may obtain some, but more so I'm thankful for certain people and memories with them. Another blessing on the top of my list was the basics; shelter and a paycheck to pay these college loans back with. It wouldn't be possible without a job, another blessing.

Now, let's move on to the topic of being a blessing. I have touched on it many times because I think it is important humans remember we are all the same and we should take time to give. Not necessarily through donation, but instead, why not jewelry? Meet Ola, creative director of EEKONOMY Jewelry. His mission with his brand is to create unique pieces. He hires members of the deaf community to make them. His business model of empowering an under served group through empowerment and a positive attitude makes me such a fan of his company. You will be too once you finish reading a little about his mind and travels.

HH: What initially sparked your interest in jewelry design?
Ola:I graduated from high school at a very young age, so my parents did not want me to go to university at such a young age. I lived in the Caribbean at the time, so I was already bored of doing all the touristy things. I was at home one day and saw telephone wires which were bent and
scattered around the floor and there were a bunch of loose wires on my dining table which had been removed from wedding bouquet flowers, so the idea of creating beauty from recycled materials, or materials which could be moulded into a different form, was born!

HH:You just got back from traveling for inspiration and business, how was your experience?
Ola: My experience was amazing! I had not been to Africa in more than 12 years, so I did not know what to expect since time changes people and cultures. Africa has played a large part in jewelry and bold designs throughout history, so I knew I was going to have a blast and find so many inspiring things. I arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, and travelled around the country in search of beads and inspiration. I immersed myself in the multiple layers of culture in Nigeria. I am Nigerian but grew up all over the world, so I have always had a Nigerian subculture in my life, but I decided to go deeper and to find out what else I could learn. To make this possible I did research on other cultures and ethnic groups I was not familiar with, like the northern and eastern ethnic groups, what certain
colours represented, and what they wore in celebrations. I then tried to  mix all of those together to get something unique!

HH:How are the pieces created ? What is your company's mission?
Ola: In regards to the pieces, I create the pieces based on the colors, theme, and stories. I then hire members of the deaf community to help make the items, so we make them together as a fun group/ family. The mission of my company is to empower an under served group through empowerment and a positive attitude. We are not a charity, we are a socially innovative company. I am not against monetary charities, but I do believe that there is a better message shared through hiring. When you hire people you let them know that they are worth more than they think they are, it makes you realize that you have something special which the person hiring you sees. Self esteem goes up, and when that happens it makes you happier, and happier leads to more actions. It is a trickle effect which gets better.

HH: What has your company taught you about yourself? How would you advise someone trying to start their own creative business ?
Ola:It has taught me so much about myself! I realized that I am actually more stubborn in regards to not backing down for a cause I believe in! (Social innovation, impacting the world, working with the deaf). I would also say it has made me become more of what I used to be, more adventurous, more goal oriented, and more open. You have to have a tough bone to be an entrepreneur, never give up, never back down, and I always say,"Open yourself to the world and ideas, and creativity will crash into you!"