Meet Haley Douglas

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Haley Douglas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Haley , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I reflect on this question often, and the answer always leads me back to a lifetime of exploration—following different interests that, over time, found a way to seamlessly connect.

As a kid, I was endlessly curious and always outside, hands in the dirt, playing with insects. At one point, I even dreamed of becoming an entomologist. Bless my mom’s heart—she supported my bug obsession, even helping me create a proper insect collection, though she gagged and looked away every time I pinned them to the styrofoam. If I wasn’t outside tending my own herb garden, riding horses, or collecting critters, I was inside crafting something.

I credit much of my creative and entrepreneurial spirit to my parents. My mom, the most artistic person I know, was a children’s book illustrator early in her career, and I grew up surrounded by her magical illustrations. School projects? She was always ready to turn them into masterpieces. My dad, on the other hand, shaped my love for animals and business. As a young man, he served an LDS mission in South Africa and returned with beautiful African art—intricate sculptures of giraffes, warthogs, and elephants. I was fascinated by them, and from a young age, I knew I had to visit Africa someday.

Beyond that, my dad instilled in me an entrepreneurial mindset. He always emphasized having multiple streams of income and often said, “Keep throwing mud at it, and eventually, something will stick.” I took this advice to heart. At eight years old, I launched my first business—homemade dog treats—which I proudly sold door to door. And guess what? I made a few sales! Next came handmade candles, and once again, my wonderful neighbors supported me.

Fast-forward to junior high, where my passion for jewelry design began—completely by accident. A friend came over to craft (because of course, that’s what I did for fun), and we experimented with hemp twine, driftwood from my family’s beach house in Tofino, B.C., and vintage buttons passed down from my great-grandmother. That day, I made my first necklace. My friend loved it so much she asked for one, and soon, more classmates started requesting their own. Then someone asked, “Do you make earrings?” And just like that, I was hooked—not on collecting bugs anymore, but on creating and selling jewelry. On another trip to Tofino, my grandfather even helped me brainstorm a business plan and name: Earth Play.

Since 2004, I’ve been making jewelry—self-taught at first, purely for fun. It was a creative, therapeutic outlet that happened to pay for itself. After high school, I moved from Utah to Washington, and Earth Play became my first source of income. At 18, I spent weekends at the Ballard and Fremont Markets, waking up early, loading my car, and setting up my booth—all on my own.

Eventually, I was accepted to Western Washington University and faced a tough choice: What should I study? I had so many interests—business, design, psychology—so I chose a path that combined them all: Marketing. My college years were some of the best of my life. I served as President of the Student Marketing Association, graduated cum laude, and was honored as Outstanding Student of the Year and Puget Sound Marketing Student of the Year.

Then, like every new graduate, I jumped into the workforce. I held various marketing roles, mainly in B2B SaaS companies, working as a Growth Marketing Specialist. While I gained valuable experience, something always felt off. I started feeling burned out. Meanwhile, my jewelry-making had taken a backseat. I had stopped creating during my last two years of college, and after graduation, an entire year went by without making a single piece.

One day, I decided to pick it up again—just as a hobby, a way to unwind after work. I had forgotten how much I loved the process of creating. Then it hit me: Why not apply everything I learned in marketing to take Earth Play to the next level?

I started brainstorming ways to refine the brand—how to make it more meaningful, more aligned with my passions. That’s when the lightbulb moment happened: I could merge my love for animals with my creativity and marketing skills.

And that’s how Earth Play, as it exists today, was born.

My purpose—my ikigai—is to use my creativity, psychology, and marketing expertise to spread awareness for endangered animals and contribute to their conservation. Looking back, every childhood interest, every skill I developed, every experience along the way led me here. It all clicked.

This is what I was meant to do.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Currently, I am focused on a few major strategies to elevate Earth Play and expand its impact. One of the biggest changes this past year has been investing in my jewelry designs—both in craftsmanship and branding. I finally took the leap and signed up for silversmithing courses, something I had put off for years, and it has completely transformed my creative process. Having the ability to bring my designs to life in metal has opened up so many new possibilities, allowing me to create more intricate and meaningful pieces that align with my vision for Earth Play.

Another major goal for this year is launching an official Earth Play website. While I’ve primarily sold through Etsy, this new site will serve as a hub for everything Earth Play represents—a space to not only shop but also learn about endangered species, discover the artists behind the Save B4 Extinct sticker series, and connect with conservation partners making a difference. My hope is that this platform will foster a stronger community of passionate animal lovers and creatives while also facilitating more direct support for conservation efforts.

One of the most exciting developments is the establishment of official conservation partnerships. I’m thrilled to announce my first partnership with Pangolin Crisis Fund (CRF) to help raise awareness and funding for pangolin conservation. As part of this effort, the Save B4 Extinct project will support Pangolin CRF with an exclusive collectible pangolin sticker, ensuring a continuous stream of funding and awareness for their important work.

To clarify the distinction between Earth Play and Save B4 Extinct, Save B4 Extinct is the community-driven, art-based side of my work—where sticker collaborations and other creative projects come to life in support of endangered species. Earth Play serves as the platform where these conservation-specific collaborative designs are sold, bringing together art, awareness, and action. While Save B4 Extinct focuses on rallying artists and advocates to contribute their talents to the cause, Earth Play allows me to merge creativity with conservation through jewelry and other impactful designs.

Looking ahead, I want to expand Save B4 Extinct beyond just stickers, eventually developing it into a Creative Agency Nonprofit specifically designed to support small animal conservation groups. At its core, Earth Play is about merging creativity with conservation, proving that art can be a powerful tool for change. Whether through jewelry, education, or community-driven initiatives, my mission is to give a voice to the animals that need us most.

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?

Understanding Your Why – This is huge! If you don’t have a clear reason behind what you’re doing, it’s easy to lose momentum or give up when challenges arise. Your why fuels your determination, passion, and resilience—it’s what gets you up every day to keep going. For me, my why is deeply personal: I want to go to Africa and actively contribute to saving animals across the planet. Having that vision keeps me motivated, even when things get tough.

The Power of Branding – The way you package your business, product, or idea can make all the difference in how far you go. A strong brand identity—both visually and in messaging—helps create trust, recognition, and emotional connection with your audience. Whether you develop your brand yourself or hire a professional, it’s an investment that pays off in the long run. Your brand tells your story before you even say a word—make sure it’s telling the right one.

Just Do the Thing! – If you have an idea, don’t wait… just go for it! Time is ticking, and there is no better moment than now to start. Perfection is the enemy of progress, and sometimes, taking the first step is the hardest part. Paired with this—don’t be afraid to reach out to people. The worst that can happen? You get turned down. The best? They say yes! More often than not, people are open to supporting you if you simply ask. Networking is king, and building relationships with like-minded people will open doors you didn’t even know existed. Lifting others up will lift you up in return.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

This year, I’m all about making meaningful connections to elevate Earth Play and expand awareness for endangered species. I’m looking to collaborate with:

– Eco-conscious businesses that prioritize sustainability and earth-friendly practices.

– Animal conservation organizations to find new ways to support each other in growth, funding, and awareness.

– Passionate illustrators and designers who want to contribute to my Save B4 Extinct project—creating artwork for endangered species products that can be donated to conservation groups for their own fundraising or sold through Earth Play to raise funds.

– Marketing creatives who share my mission and can help with content creation and outreach.

Right now, I’m a one-woman show, and I’m reaching the point where I need to build a team of Earth Warriors to help support and grow Earth Play’s mission. If you’re passionate about conservation, art, or marketing and want to collaborate, let’s connect!

Email: [email protected]
Instagram DM: @earthplaystudios

Let’s make a difference together!

Contact Info:

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