A Leap of Faith: How I Stopped Waiting and Built Jolivia Kim

From a Mother-Daughter Bond to a Business: The Story of Jolivia Kim

Hi, I’m Jimin, the founder of Jolivia Kim—but more importantly, I’m a mom who wanted to create something meaningful with my daughter.

In June 2024, my then 7-year-old daughter and I started building Jolivia Kim as a way to spend quality time together, spark her curiosity about business, and—if I’m being honest—learn alongside her. I wanted to show her firsthand that you don’t have to wait for someone else to give you permission to create something of your own.

Me and my daughter at our first pop-up.

The Lightbulb Moment

About five years ago, I spotted a woman wearing a small leather accessory attached to her bag. When I asked about it, she told me it was a sunglass holder—and I thought, That’s genius!

I love a good DIY moment, so I made a few for myself, my sister, and my mom. We wore them like a BFF necklace—not just because they were cute, but because they were so convenient. No more scratched lenses, no more digging through bags, no more misplaced sunglasses.

We received so many compliments and questions from people asking where they could buy one. But at the time, nothing like it existed on the market. I had always joked with my sister and mom that I should turn it into a business, but life got in the way.

Then, in 2024, something clicked. It was a full-circle moment.

For years, I carried this idea with me—something I believed could make a difference. But it wasn’t until now that I finally saw it for what it was: an opportunity I had been building toward all along. Everything I had learned—fashion design, technical design, supply chain, UX/UI—had brought me to this point.

I had the knowledge. I had the vision.

Now, I just needed to believe in myself and take the leap.

Why Now?

For years, the job market had been tough, and I was exhausted from waiting—waiting for someone to hire me, validate me, or give me a seat at the table.

Then one day, I realized something: If I keep waiting, I might be waiting forever.

I’ve always told my daughter: “You can do anything if you put your heart and effort into it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

But then I asked myself—do I truly believe that for myself?

If actions speak louder than words, I needed to lead by example.

At the same time, my husband was studying at business school, and I saw firsthand how much it broadened his perspective on life. Our home became filled with conversations about challenging ourselves, stepping outside our comfort zones, and pursuing continuous growth.

Was Jolivia Kim my challenge?
Was it my way to push myself, to grow, to finally take that leap of faith?

It was time.

I didn’t want to live a life filled with self-doubt—I wanted to be a problem-solver.

If challenges come up along the way, instead of asking “Was this a good idea?” I wanted to be the person who says, “How do I solve this? What’s next?”

What We Stand For

If I was going to bring a product into the world, it had to be intentional—not just another pretty thing. It had to solve a real problem.

At Jolivia Kim, we believe that you shouldn’t have to choose between beauty and function. Thoughtful, well-designed accessories can be both.

✨ Fashion that works for you—functional, stylish, and inclusivem, never exclusive.
✨ Accessories that make your everyday effortless, joyful, and uniquely yours.

This Journey is More Than Just a Business

It’s been about half a year since I launched Jolivia Kim, and in that short time, I’ve met so many powerful, inspiring, and hardworking women. Their stories have ignited me, pushed me, and healed me in ways I never expected.

I’ve realized that what truly matters isn’t just creating and selling a product—it’s about building a community.

A space where we support each other.
A space where we share without judgment.
A space where we lift each other up.

For me, this journey is bigger than business. It’s about being transparent, learning from others, and making something truly meaningful for you. Jolivia Kim is about you—your needs, your lifestyle, your experiences.

That’s why this will always be an iterative process—continuously evolving based on your feedback—because that’s what intentional design is all about.

I’d Love to Hear From You!

💬 What brought you to this page?
💬 If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for the ‘right time’ to start something, I’d love to hear about it.
💬 Do you have questions about our product or feedback from using it?

📩 Feel free to reach out: jimin@joliviakim.com

I’m here for you! 💛