We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha Siu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Samantha , you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
First and foremost, I believe generosity is shared and then mirrored and practiced. Growing up, my grandmother was the first one to teach me the importance of love and care. Right after she retired she became my caretaker. In her eyes, my brother and I can do no wrong. This of course isn’t an exemplary way of teaching but I saw it as a beautiful way of introducing me to love and compassion. She gave up her new sense of freedom for an unpaid job of babysitting, Later in my life, I found my passion of missionary work through summer trips volunteering as an english teacher in Asia. There, I saw how profoundly fortunate I was and how important it was to spread the love that I had encompassed through my religion and my grandmother’s teachings.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have always wanted to live a fulfilled life filled with philanthropy and missionary work. But growing up in a business minded family, my family (especially my Aunt Amy) always reminded me that in order for works of charity to be successful, funding was essential. My aunts built a career in clothing and jewelry manufacturing and I would help on the regular. In this, I proceeded into the family business of jewelry making after college. Eventually I would branch out on my own and decided that I wanted to build a successful, sustainable jewelry brand. I wanted to create jewelry that bridge the gap between avant- grade and mass production while focusing on changing consumer habits through design. My designs not only focus on well made jewelry but also focused on versatility; where jewelry can be worn in several different ways. This company, Samantha Siu New York, works hand in hand with my nonprofit (The Phoenix International Foundation) that focused on projects that aided underdeveloped countries. Through the nonprofit we support animal conservation, created medical pop up clinics, and micro loan programs, while enhancing the education curriculum in schools of those developing countries.
After several years of creating multiple lines, we are at a precipice where we have been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar and worn by Melissa McCarthy, MNEK, and Nadia Ferreira. We have grown our business into department stores and boutique stores a like with plans to expand even more this year. We are launching a new versatile matching bracelet collection this year with interchangeable links that is meant to be size inclusive. Currently we are preparing for the 2024 fashion week season and hoping to spread the word on what it means to create well thought out and socially conscious jewelry. All the while, the Phoenix International Foundation’s micro loan program is entering into its second year helping over 50 families find their footing from the pandemic. We are excited to continue to support our fellow nonprofits and partners around the world including the Save Elephant Foundation and Neon Lights Museum in Las Vegas.
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?
As I look back, three qualities that most impact my journey is the need for continuous learning, finding meaning and value in my work, and persistently being mindful of others. To me, it is very important to always feed my mind every chance that I get; whether in a conversation with someone or in a class room. I find it that staying current means humbling myself while acknowledging that I don’t know everything. I also find it that when I find meaning and value in my work, hard work is joyful. And most importantly, being mindful of others is recognizing the fact that my achievements are not my own. The accomplishments of the brand is base on multiple teams that lead me there. Being mindful is an integral part of success.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking for partners, investors, and friends to collaborate with. Likeminded entities that value sustainability, slow fashion, and well thought out products that can improve our world. Any interested parties can be reach out at info@samanthasiu.com or through our instagram at SamanthaSiuNewYork.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.samanthasiu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthasiunewyork/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samanthasiunewyork/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-siu-852a261b/
Image Credits
Glamour magazine: MUHA @stanekstyles Photography @rutvikkaturi Wardrobe @haleia @samanthasiunewyork @the_confessional_showroom_nyc (PR company) Model: Michellepritts, MNEK at the billboard awards, @mnek Wardrobe@ Richard Quinn @blackpr (PR company) Model picture: @eekphotonyc (karen epstein) Creative director (@jenniferyassen) Model: @rowenakarmy Legacy photo (samantha, grandma, mom) Photographer @sezen.june Creative director (@jenniferyassen) Stylist: @626f72696e67 (Dasia Cortez) Makeup@tadatoshih hair: chika4680.hair Lighting; @brianhyx
