Meet Kate Reboli

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kate Reboli a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

When I first began my journey, I was surprised to realize that my biggest obstacle was myself. Despite a proven track record in my craft, my inner dialogue wasn’t always my ally. It felt like scaling a mountain with a heavy burden on my back—constantly weighed down by thoughts of all that I hadn’t yet achieved. It soon became clear that this approach was unsustainable, and I knew I needed to focus on cultivating resilience.

The key was shifting my perspective. Instead of fixating on all the things I hadn’t accomplished yet, I started to celebrate small victories and recognize the progress I was making. I embraced the mindset of taking things step by step, appreciating that these small, incremental efforts were adding up to something meaningful.

A turning point came during a conversation with a friend, where we discussed the privilege of being able to forge a path in the creative world. It’s a gift to have the support and resources to pursue a passion-driven business. This conversation completely reframed my mindset—from “I have to” to “I get to.” I even wrote “How lucky are you?” on my mirror as a daily reminder to walk through this process with gratitude.

That shift in perspective was profound. What once felt like an uphill battle transformed into a sense of expansiveness, a recognition of the opportunities before me, and a deep excitement for the future. Now, when I face challenges, I remind myself of the privilege to solve problems and show up for myself. Resilience, for me, is forward movement—taken with gratitude and grace.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My journey into jewelry was deeply influenced by my upbringing on the East Coast, where art was woven into the fabric of everyday life. With a father who was an accomplished oil painter and a mother who dedicated herself to teaching art, I was immersed in a world of handcrafted beauty from a young age. One of my most vivid childhood memories is watching my father trade his paintings for jewelry to surprise my mother. The joy those pieces brought her left a lasting impression on me and opened my eyes to the profound way jewelry can symbolize love and connection.

That early inspiration eventually led me to pursue a career in jewelry making. Over the course of two decades, I explored various roles within the industry, from working as a full-time bench jeweler at a custom shop to managing production and custom design at another studio. Each experience added to my understanding of the craft and the business, steadily preparing me to realize my long-held dream of starting my own brand.

As a queer-owned business, inclusivity and diversity are at the core of everything we do. At K. Reboli Fine Jewelry, my designs celebrate individuality and self-expression. Influenced by the duality of life, they merge soft, feminine curves with bold, masculine edges and blend vintage elements with modern sensibilities. We craft each piece from solid gold, chosen for its durability and timeless beauty, and handpick every stone for its unique character.

I’m especially excited about expanding our bespoke and ready-to-wear collections while introducing K. Reboli Fine Jewelry to a wider audience. It’s a privilege to create pieces that tell a story, commemorate a special moment, or serve as a personal “power piece.” Collaborating with clients to design jewelry that reflects their style and celebrates love in all its forms is deeply fulfilling. We take pride in creating pieces that will be cherished for generations.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One of the fundamental building blocks in starting K. Reboli Fine Jewelry was learning the art of metal smithing. After taking a short intensive course to learn the basics of metal smithing for jewelry, I was offered the opportunity to work under the guidance of extraordinary mentors. Working closely under skilled jewelers and stone setters was invaluable. I think regardless of what path you are taking, finding someone who is willing to take you under their wing and help you build out your skillset is a true gift. I am forever thankful to the people who poured their energy into me to make me the jeweler I am today.

Developing strong interpersonal skills has also been essential in fostering deep and meaningful relationships with clients. Jewelry, at its core, is about connection. Listening closely to their stories, understanding their vision, and translating their personal journeys into custom designs is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Often, I collaborate with clients during pivotal moments in their lives, such as engagements, weddings, or the birth of a child. Building trust and creating a safe, welcoming environment for clients to express their desires ensures that each piece reflects not only their aesthetic preferences but also their values and emotions. Cultivating these relationships has been fundamental to the success and growth of K. Reboli Fine Jewelry.

Finally, problem-solving has been an integral part of running my business from day one. Whether it’s determining the most effective way to craft a custom piece or developing efficient internal systems for the business, my love for solving challenges has always been a driving force. In jewelry design, there’s always a delicate balance between creativity and practicality. Being able to troubleshoot technical aspects—such as structural integrity, stone setting, or material choices—ensures that each piece is both beautiful and functional. The same problem-solving mindset applies to the operational side of the business, where finding solutions to improve processes or streamline production has been key to our ongoing success.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I would love to connect and collaborate with stylists, fashion designers, content creators and other queer owned business/creators/artists. The best way to reach me is via email at Hello@KReboliFineJewery.com or via instagram @KRebolifineJewelry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.krebolifinejewelry.com
• Instagram: @KRreboliFineJewelry
• Linkedin: Kate Reboli

Image Credits

@mayaleonphoto (Maya Leon)