team spotlight | CARRIE

The Christina Kober Designs team is amazing. We are a close-knit group that sometimes feels more like a family than a business - a great mix of dynamic, dedicated and talented women, that bring different backgrounds and experiences to build a very strong team.

In our Team Spotlight series, I will be introducing you to our team one at a time. I am so excited to share who we are, the team that brings Christina Kober Designs to life. We are the people who hand-stamp, solder and polish your jewelry, the ones that answer your questions, and the ones that package up your orders with love. My hope is that you will see more of what makes us who we are, what drives us and connect to our stories of what inspires us.

I am so excited to introduce Carrie! She has been working behind the scenes on our marketing for the past 6 months. Carrie is one of those people that you immediately feel at ease talking with and is always keeping me laughing during our meetings. Her nails are always incredibly manicured with the coolest design or color - I have major nail envy. I'd like you to meet Carrie!

WHAT DO YOU DO AT CHRISTINA KOBER DESIGNS?
I get to help Christina with all things marketing! From web ads to SEO, email creation and any odds and ends in between! If it happens on a screen, I help get it done!

What does your typical day at CKD look like?
I work remotely from Nashville, TN, so there are truly no two days that look the same. Depending on what needs to be done, I spend most of my time in Photoshop, the back end of the website, creating emails, or getting marketing inspiration on Pinterest. I get to connect with the GA team weekly to give updates and catch-up on what is going on at the studio!

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU THINK MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT HANDMADE JEWELRY? 
I don’t think people realize how much love and attention goes into the design and creation of each piece!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I get inspired by a lot of different things. Books, music, a random song in the background of a tv show. Spending time with my friends and family. Nature. Having heart-to-heart conversations with people. An outfit a stranger is wearing. Something random I hear in a podcast. Anything and anyone can be inspiring if I’m in an open minded space!

What is your favorite CKD piece and why?
I love my F Cancer Wide Inspiring. I lost my mom to cancer almost 20 years ago, so this ring is really special to me. I also really like the simplicity of the Wish Stacking Ring.

What does a “treat yourself” day look like to you?
I LOVE a treat myself day! They usually start with a slow morning (no alarms!) and then tea in bed while I catch up on whatever Bravo shows I haven’t watched for the week. If I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll get a work-out in. Then I’ll go get my nails done and head to Target (of course) and Barnes & Noble to wander around and buy books that I want (but don’t need)! If I’m feeling social, I’ll grab dinner or a drink with my friends but if not, I’ll grab some of my favorite take-out and head back home to cuddle with my dogs and continue on with whatever Netflix binge I’m working through! That is my perfect day!

What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
There are two items that I have that weren’t necessarily gifts, but they are my most cherished things. One is a handmade ceramic elephant that my little cousin made in her ceramics class in high school. She made it specifically for me and I just love it.
The other is a little note card that my mom put in my lunch in the 3rd grade that says “I love you, Carrie! Love, Mom.” I don’t know why I kept it when I was a child, but I’m so glad I did. Both sit next to each other on my desk so I can look at them every day!

You do marketing work for a few small businesses. What is your favorite part about working with small businesses?
I LOVE working with small businesses. I love getting to build relationships with the team of each business as well as the customers. Usually, the items people purchase from smaller businesses have a little more meaning to them than something purchased at a big-box store. There is a heart and soul in small business that, in my experience, is lacking in the corporate world. I hope to grow my own small business by working with other small businesses for as long as I’m working!

How are you able to manage working remote and turning off from working?
I wasn’t aware that I did? ;) But in all seriousness - it’s something I’m still learning. I try REALLY hard to create boundaries for my work (setting working hours, fitting work-outs into the day, etc.), but sometimes I’m not as good at making sure I stick to them. I’m working on it!

Ok, now time for a little quick fire….

Gold or silver?
both! I’m a big fan of mixing metals. Is that still a faux paux? If so, oh well!

Diamond dusted or Inspired?
inspired!

Savory or sweet?
totally depends - but there’s always room for both :)

Receiving gifts or giving gifts?
giving

Simple or Layered?
simple

Wide ring or Narrow ring?
wide ring

Coffee or tea?
tea

Dog or cat?
dogs

INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK?
neither - TikTok is the only platform that makes me laugh these days!

SUMMER OR WINTER?
summer

NEUTRALS OR COLORS?
usually Neutrals with a pop of color