We recently connected with Kelsey Krasnov and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kelsey, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
After becoming a mom nearly 8 years ago, I lost myself—my style, my confidence, and honestly, my sense of identity. At just 22, I felt like I had to fit into this mold of what a mom should look and act like. My life revolved around my son, and somewhere along the way, I faded into the background.
Then, 3.5 years later, I had my daughter—and not long after, our world was rocked when my son went into acute idiopathic liver failure. The following 1–2 years were a blur of hospitals, medications, and round-the-clock care after his transplant. I became a full-time medical mom, and everything else about me took a backseat.
Slowly, I started to reclaim pieces of myself. I tossed out my sad beige clothes and rediscovered joy in fashion, in color, in me. I realized I couldn’t pour from an empty cup. My kids didn’t just need a caregiver—they needed a leader, a strong example of confidence and resilience.
Starting House of Pokes was a huge turning point. It felt like a mirror reflecting who I had become. It represents everything I’ve come to embrace: a deep love for girlhood, feminism, community, and the magic of turning childhood whimsy into empowered adulthood. It’s pink and bold and loud and soft—and so am I.
Now, entering 30, I’ve never felt more aligned with who I am. I know myself. I trust myself. I’m proud of my style, my body, my voice, and my values. This version of me? She’s unshakable.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Starting House of Pokes wasn’t just about opening a piercing studio—it was about creating a safe space I wish had existed when I was younger. After years of losing myself in motherhood and being a full-time medical mom, I craved something that reflected the woman I had become: confident, creative, and deeply rooted in community.
I wanted to build a space where women and kids could feel completely safe, seen, and celebrated. Somewhere you could get a professional, hollow needle piercing without having to walk into intimidating tattoo shop or settle for a piercing gun at the mall. House of Pokes was born from that vision—something soft but strong, playful yet professional, feminine but fearless.
It’s a reflection of everything I stand for: girlhood magic, connection, and empowerment. We created a place where style meets safety, and where every person—especially women and young kids—can walk in and feel like they belong.
And the response has been overwhelming. Just a few months ago, we moved from our original 300 sq ft space to a brand new 1,000 sq ft studio to keep up with the incredible growth and support from our community. With this expansion, we’re now able to do even more—like stocking products from other small women-owned businesses and hosting pop-up events and services that spotlight and uplift fellow women entrepreneurs.
This is just the beginning. House of Pokes is a business, yes—but it’s also a movement. A safe space. A little slice of glittery rebellion. And I’m so proud of what we’re building.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, one of the most impactful things I brought into this journey was my background in photography. Having schooling in photography—plus a few college art marketing classes under my belt—helped me immensely when it came to creating content, running my social media, and developing a brand identity that felt artistically authentic to me. That visual foundation made it easier to tell my story in a way that connects with people.
The second quality? Honestly—faking it ‘til you make it. So much of entrepreneurship is about moving forward even when you don’t have all the answers. It’s showing up, figuring it out as you go, and being bold enough to keep pushing through the uncomfortable parts.
And third—maybe the most underrated—you have to be just the right amount of crazy. It takes guts to dream up a name, a vibe, a mission, visuals, and services—and then actually bring it all to life. That kind of creative chaos? It’s magic when channeled right.
My advice for anyone just starting out: Be radically authentic. Stay true to yourself—your vision, your values, your voice. That’s the real secret sauce. When you build from a place of truth, the brand, the mission, and the success will follow
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, the first thing I do is a brain dump. I get everything out of my head and onto paper—no matter how big, small, or chaotic it seems. From there, I make a to-do list and start prioritizing: What actually needs to get done right now versus what’s just taking up mental space?
Sometimes I just need to see it all laid out to stop spiraling. And let’s be real—occasionally that process is followed by a good cry. Totally part of the strategy.
My biggest advice? Know that it’s a full-time job believing in yourself—no days off. Give yourself grace, but also structure. You’ve got this, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/houseofpokes
- Instagram: @house.of.pokes
- Facebook: House of Pokes
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