Each month in our "Moms Who Made It" Q&A series, we highlight a "mom crush" who means business. After all, it's no easy feat to raise a family and build a brand, so we're proud to salute these mamas.
This month, we're chatting with Kimberly Haisch, the founder of KBH Jewels, a sustainable fine jewelry collection made from 100% reclaimed and recycled gold, cultivated diamonds, and sustainably cultured South Sea pearls. Everything the brand produces, supplies, and ships—from jewelry to packaging—is sourced from ethical, sustainable, and reclaimed methods. We love the idea that investing in beautiful jewelry can also be an investment in the planet, so we were excited to chat with Kimberly about her brand, her business philosophies, and beyond.
Tell us a bit about your company and the products you’ve created.
KBH Jewels is a female-founded, sustainable fine jewelry collection committed to clean material sourcing, circular practices from the ground up, quality, and craftsmanship. We believe love and tradition applies not only to our beautiful jewelry, but also the manner in which it is made and how that affects the world. Everything from the jewelry to packaging, and beyond the point of sale, has been created with ethical, sustainable, and reclaimed methods.
The collection is created for an audience that prioritizes modern beauty and ethically conscious materials alike. Our jewelry is handcrafted with 100% recycled and reclaimed solid 14K gold, cultivated diamonds (colorless - DEF, and VS in clarity), and organically cultured South Sea pearls.
Each style is inspired by the spirit of women—as strong and powerful as they are gentle and pretty. The heart of the line offers elevated essentials and modern classics that are stackable and standalone, statement and refined, glamorous and understated.
I’ve designed these pieces for the women in our life that are all things. Women are moms, daughters, sisters, wives, professionals, friends, protectors—we do it all. I want our jewelry to make these women feel even more empowered than they already are.
What was the problem in the marketplace that you set out to solve, and how did you go about finding a solution for it?
After I had my own family, I started to think about what my legacy would be. I was introduced to the jewelry industry at a young age by my mother, who had a passion for recreating beautiful heirlooms for friends and family, which eventually led to a small business of her own. I was with my mother resetting jewelry on 46th and 47th Streets in Manhattan when I was properly introduced to lab-grown diamonds. I didn’t understand why this sustainable option for real diamonds wasn’t more widely known or available, especially in the pieces that I wanted to wear every day and pass on to my kids. Then I began to dig a little deeper and learned about the vast pollution caused by metal mining. It became apparent that we needed to do something different when it came to the provenance of our gold. I decided that we would use only 100% recycled and reclaimed gold in our pieces. From there, I committed to circular practices from the ground up.
I saw a gap in the market for consumers who believe that sustainable materials and modern luxury are one and the same.
Describe your business philosophy in a few words.We believe investment-worthy pieces should be both luxe in material and sustainably made, and a consumer shouldn’t have to compromise on either.
We are dedicated to offering a collection of beautiful modern heirlooms for you to wear now, and eventually feel good about passing on. Family, tradition, and incorporating circular practices and sustainable materials are at the heart of everything we do and embedded into the fabric of our story.
It’s not about being perfect; it is about trying to do better. And the time is now.
What has kept you motivated throughout the journey of starting your own business?KBH has always been about so much more than selling jewelry. It was an ambition born out of wanting to pass on a legacy of love to my children for their health and the health of the planet without compromise.
My mother and my children are the reason I started KBH, and they continue to motivate me along with our growing community. It is all about doing something for the world that my children are going to live in and eventually share with their own families.
The women that we know, who inspire KBH pieces, are doing the best they can today to secure a better tomorrow for the people they love. I hope the future of KBH Jewels is one that educates people and inspires them to make small changes that are going to have a big impact on the world around us.
When did you start to think, “OK, this idea might actually work”?
Prior to launching, we had so much interest and anticipation. Molly Sims was the first to request pieces and wear them to events. For us, she was such an amazing example of what our brand represents—a mom, humanitarian, and all-around beautiful individual—and she was calling on KBH Jewels to help her look and feel good. It was then that we realized that what mattered to us resonated with others. For us, that’s really what this is all about. Of course, we wanted to create beautiful pieces of jewelry that women will want to wear, but we wanted to feel like having a sustainable option in this space mattered. Before we even launched, we recognized that our values and what we were trying to do spoke to others. That was a huge moment for me because what I envisioned became reality.
We are so humbled to have strong, smart women that we look up to wearing our jewelry—Jessica Alba, Kate Mara, Veronica Webb, Rosario Dawson, and Katie Couric, to name a few.
Who is your mentor? If you don’t have one, is there a figure you look up to?I have always looked up to Bobbi Brown. I gained valuable exposure working under Bobbi and so many other strong, career-driven women who supported each other to build businesses while also raising their families. I have always looked up to her and she’s been incredibly supportive through my journey with KBH.
What’s your #1 tip for moms interested in starting their own business?
Don’t be afraid to fail; be afraid of never trying. From the start, I have always said “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about trying to do better.” It’s so important to remind ourselves that it’s about progress over perfection, in business and at home.
What does “me” time mean to you?
Anytime I can really disconnect from work, be without my phone, and surround myself with friends and family. I also love to lose myself in a great book, like Glennon Doyle’s “Untamed.”
Any favorite books or podcasts that you’ve found particularly motivating?
I love "How I Built This" for entrepreneur stories; Oprah Super Soul is my go-to for health and wellness; and I am obsessed with "Lipstick on the Rim" with Molly Sims and Emese Gormley. I’m also really looking forward to Elise Loehnen’s new podcast, "Pulling the Thread."
What’s on your bedside table?My reusable water bottle, pictures of my family and friends, Ritual vitamins, and usually, jewelry!
Share your favorite inspirational quote, if you have one!
"Do the best that you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." —Maya Angelou
This quote embodies everything we do at KBH. I am consistently challenged with digging deeper, asking questions, and researching ways to do things differently. This requires a lot of time and creative thinking, but it makes the endgame much more rewarding.
