Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erin LaCkore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Erin , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
From a young age, my heart was set on helping others, a passion that stayed with me even as I faced my own health challenges, which progressed over the years. While battling my health issues, I dove into the world of social work and become a licensed therapist, determined to make a difference. Finally at age 29 after what felt like a lifetime of surgeries and bizarre diagnoses, I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. I was confused and overwhelmed, but at least I finally had an answer.
At the time, I was working full time as a High School Counselor with a 4 and a 1 year old at home. My husband is a damn saint, but I needed an outlet. I needed a fun distraction. I revived a childhood love of jewelry-making, and little did I know, it would turn into a full-blown passion! Making those pieces wasn’t just crafting for me; it was therapeutic, an escape from reality. What began as a personal coping mechanism turned into a transformative journey. I took a HUGE leap, leaving social work behind to pursue my passion for hand crafting jewelry full-time. Initially fearing I wouldn’t be able to help people anymore, I found a new avenue. When I initially left social work, I had this feeling like I might not be helping people in the same direct way. But oh boy, was I wrong! Through my jewelry and the magic of social media, I’ve found a whole new avenue to spread positivity and make connections.
I began sharing my health battles, resonating with countless individuals facing similar challenges. Transitioning to entrepreneurship, I became a source of inspiration for women hesitant about chasing their dreams. More significantly, I became a pillar of support for those grappling with chronic illnesses, encouraging them to keep moving forward.
Jewelry became my lifeline and essentially saved me. Through my jewelry, I weave my own health struggles into wearable inspiration. It’s not just about pretty pieces; it’s about resilience, pushing forward, and showing the world that no matter what life throws at us, we’ve got the strength to keep going. Every piece I create carries a bit of that therapeutic journey, and through the power of the internet, I get to share it with the world. It’s incredible how my beads and wires became tools for not just crafting beautiful things but for reaching and helping so many more people than I ever imagined. Who said leaving one path means saying goodbye to making a difference? In my world, it’s all about creating, connecting, and making an impact one piece of jewelry at a time! My hope is that my story serves as a beacon of perseverance, urging others to press on despite the obstacles. Life is a journey, and I’m here to inspire people to keep going, never giving up, no matter what hurdles they face.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a therapist & jewelry designer my number one goal is to make beautiful & meaningful handcrafted pieces that resonate with people of all walks of life. Size inclusion is super important to me so our customers are able to choose the sizes of their bracelets and necklaces that we hand craft to fit them perfectly. Due to my chronic health problems I have realized life is too short to take things so seriously. I really try to live in the moment and enjoy each day like it’s my last. Leaving my career was scary, but I am SO happy I did it. I want to inspire others to follow their dreams and to not let any obstacles whether it’s mental health, chronic health conditions, or whatever has been thrown their way stop them to living up to their highest potential. My jewelry stands as a reminder and symbol to women around the world that anything is possible if they believe in themselves. My personality is BIG and I been told that I have “no filter” soo my jewelry reflects that with our number one selling piece, our “Fuck Necklace”. I want to empower women to wear what they want, speak their minds, & follow their dreams!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance, resilience, and truly believing in myself without getting distracted by the nay-sayers was the key to my success. I cannot count how many times I heard people say “you are crazy for leaving your career!” But, I knew I had to follow my heart and pursue my passion. It took many years, but I NEVER GAVE UP and now I am building a company and shipping out 100’s of orders everyday.
There are going to be a lot of people with a lot of opinions as to what you should do on your journey and bottom line is… TRUST YOUR GUT! Listen to the opinions and learn, but only you know what is the right path is for you. Do not lose sight of your vision and always stay humble.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
While it’s a good challenge, it’s still a challenge nonetheless. I am learning the ins and outs of mass producing handmade jewelry! Getting 1000’s of orders has been my dream forever and now that it’s here I am constantly learning about keeping supplies in stock, managing inventory, shipping in bulk, managing staff, quality control, customer service, etc. I am getting into a groove and have an amazing team working around the clock to give our customers the best experience possible when shopping with us.
Trying to find a work-health-life balance has been another challenge. While I want to get all orders out within 3-4 days… I have to also make sure I am taking care of my mind and body so I can continue to grow the business. Since one of our pieces went viral I have been working non stop to keep up with the demand while trying to take care of my health, children and marriage. It’s all coming together, but it’s definitely been a learning curve that as I grow I know will have to continue to have open lines of communication with my team and family.
Contact Info:
- Website: LaCkoreCouture.com
- Instagram: @LaCkoreCouture
- Facebook: facebook.com/lackorecouture
- Linkedin: Erin LaCkore
- Twitter: @LaCkoreCouture
- Youtube: youtube.com/lackorecouture
Image Credits
Kelly Shotwell, Balsam Photography
