We recently had the chance to connect with Nikki Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Nikki , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
What a summer it’s been! I’ve recently soaked up every moment with my 2 boys—fhishing, pool days, road trips, and lots of memories made. But now that school is around the corner, I’m feeling recharged and so ready to dive back into work.
We’re already planning for the holidays—designing new collections, booking pop-ups, and getting creative with fresh ways to bring our jewelry to you this season. This is one of my favorite times of year in the business—there’s something magical about the energy of fall and the build-up to the holidays.
Moms who run businesses: the juggle is real, but this shift back into work mode feels so exciting!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Nikki Smith, the founder of Nikki Smith Designs—a jewelry brand I started in 2016 after struggling to find affordable accessories that actually lasted. I began making waterproof, dainty pieces I could wear every day to work. It turns out, a lot of other women were looking for the same thing!
What started as a small side hustle has grown into a brand with retail stores, a thriving wholesale business, and viral experiences like our charm bar and permanent jewelry. We focus on fun, high-quality, trend-forward jewelry that’s made to live in—whether you’re at the gym, the beach, or chasing after your kids.
As a mom, I just wrapped up a beautiful summer with my family and now I’m diving into one of my favorite times of year for the business—planning new holiday collections and pop-up experiences. There’s so much to look forward to, and I’m excited to keep building something that brings joy, sparkle, and confidence to our customers’ everyday lives.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I’ve been lucky to learn from some incredible people throughout my life, but the person who taught me the most about work is my mom. She’s been a court reporter for years and has always juggled a demanding career while being an amazing, present mom. She often worked late into the night or early in the morning just to make sure she could be there for us during the day. Her dedication, discipline, and ability to balance work and family is something I admire deeply—and it’s shaped how I run my business and show up for my own kids today.
I also have to give a big thank-you to my first bosses right out of college and in my first corporate job. They taught me the ins and outs of retail at a deeper level than I ever expected, and really helped me understand what it means to be a professional—how to lead with intention, stay organized, and think like a business owner. Their influence gave me the foundation to start and grow Nikki Smith Designs.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
Something I miss that not a lot of people know about is the early days of my business—when everything felt like an experiment and nothing was too high-stakes. I was making all the jewelry by hand, packing every order myself, and every single sale felt huge. It was such an exciting time—I couldn’t believe people were actually buying something I created!
Things are different now, and I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. But there’s something really special about that beginning stage—when you’re just fueled by passion, curiosity, and the thrill of figuring it all out. I’ll always cherish that scrappy season of building something from nothing!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—absolutely! The public version of me is very much the real me. I’m friendly, welcoming, down to earth, and honestly not very fancy. What you see is what you get! Whether I’m helping someone at one of our stores, chatting at a pop-up, or posting online, I try to always show up as my true self. I love connecting with people, having fun with what I do, and keeping things real—both in business and in life.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people might misunderstand about my legacy is just how grassroots it really was. I started by opening a business bank account with $2,000 and have built everything from the ground up. I’ve always been careful to never spend more than I’ve made, and every step of growth has been intentional and earned. It might look bigger now, but there was no big investment or overnight success—just a lot of hard work, weekend work, and learning as I went! And a ton of great people along the way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nikkismithdesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkismithdesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkismithdesigns
Image Credits
Chris Prince Photography
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