Natalie Holst was working in fashion during the day and in restaurants at night when a stylist working for designer brands commissioned some of her accessories and she suddenly found herself thrust into the world of business. Soon after, she created Holst + Lee with a vision to empower individuals to express their boldest selves through vibrant, innovative jewelry that radiates joy, confidence and creativity..
Holst had to keep up with demand once her accessories appeared in magazines, got picked up by retailers and were worn by celebrities. So, she decided to embark on a journey of learning how to run a business while managing her personal life.
Once her kids were born and she became a single mother, it became more difficult to balance home and work. Growing the business became more stressful than challenging and the needs of her kids became her priority. With the support of her family, she was able to push through, and when she met her current partner, Charles Wittman, she was able to recognize the partner in herself too. Single mothers often put everyone else’s needs above their own, but with a strong support system, she was able to prioritize herself both mentally and physically. After taking care of herself, caring for others became much easier. With more experience, she was able to celebrate the highs and mourn the lows of her business for a few days before maintaining neutrality to avoid stagnation and remind herself to keep moving forward.
When her children grew a little older and the pandemic hit, her hard work paid off. Selling little pieces of joy such as their mesh bracelets online during such a difficult time had grown Holst + Lee larger than ever. Now at their physical stores, people can come and engross themselves in a world of color. The charm bar, where people can customize their own jewelry, is always a favorite. Castings can be requested, and the entire charm can be personalized to fit each customer. As the business continues to blossom, Holst has been able to reconnect with the fashion she started with. In April, Holst will offer clothing made of lightweight, colorful cotton. After a hard-fought battle, Holst is now able to combine everything she loves: community, creativity and her family.
For more information, visit holstandlee.com.
By Brooke Watson