05/14/2026
If you wanted to take the time to read please do cause you might relate but also it’s the story behind Jewels by Kaitlyn & Company
Becoming a mother changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. When my son was born, I was just a young single mom trying to figure life out one day at a time. Like every parent, I had dreams for him, hopes for his future, and a vision of what our life would look like together.
Then, at just two years old, my son was diagnosed with autism. I remember sitting there hearing the words that he may never speak… that I may never hear him say “I love you.” It was devastating. I felt lost, scared, and completely unprepared for a world I knew nothing about.
At first, I blamed myself. I remember feeling like I had somehow failed my child or done something wrong for him to have this “disorder.” I was grieving the life I thought we would have while also trying to be strong enough to navigate this entirely new world for both of us. The truth is, I was terrified.
For years, I struggled trying to juggle everything — school meetings, speech therapy, occupational therapy, doctor appointments, IEP meetings, work, bills, and still somehow trying to take care of myself too. Sleep became something that barely existed. I would sit at work and cry because I missed another school event or another important moment because I had already taken time off earlier that week for therapy or appointments. And after doing everything I possibly could, I would still sit in meetings hearing about all the things my child “still wasn’t doing.”
People constantly told me how strong I was and how well I was handling everything, but if I’m being honest, those years were some of the darkest and loneliest of my life. I couldn’t figure out how to be the mother I wanted to be, the advocate my son needed, and still work a full-time job to provide the life I dreamed of for us.
Growing up, we didn’t have a lot. My mom worked hard to make sure we always had what we needed, and sometimes even a little extra for things we wanted. Because of that, I learned early on that nothing comes easy — you have to work for it. I never dreamed of being a stay-at-home mom because I genuinely love working and connecting with people. But more than anything, I love being a mom. That has always been the title I carry most proudly.
Still, I felt like I was climbing a ladder only to fall six steps backward every single time I made progress. I became exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically. Something had to change.
At the time, I was working a Monday through Friday 9–5 job at an apartment complex. Some residents were amazing people just trying to survive like the rest of us, while others brought constant chaos and stress. But there were moments that made the job worth it — helping someone move into their very first apartment or seeing a family finally approved after experiencing homelessness. Those moments mattered to me deeply.
But as fulfilling as parts of that job were, I still felt like I wasn’t present enough for my son. I wasn’t showing up the way I wanted to. So in 2024, I made one of the scariest decisions of my life: I quit my guaranteed full-time job making $20 an hour to open my own business and work for myself.
The plan was simple — work weekends so I could be home with my son during the week, and bring him with me whenever I could. Truthfully, I had no idea if the business would succeed or amount to anything at all. But I knew I had already poured every piece of myself into trying to create a better life for us, and I couldn’t give up.
More than anything, I wanted my son to grow up seeing that even when life feels impossible, you keep getting up and trying again. You never stop chasing your dreams just because the road is hard.
When I opened my business in 2024, I knew I wanted it to mean more than just jewelry or custom creations. I wanted it to give back to the community that made me feel less alone during my son’s diagnosis. That’s why we donate a portion of every sale to organizations like Autism Speaks and Autism Society, along with local organizations that support special needs families and children.
I know there are countless permanent jewelry artists and small businesses out there, but what makes ours special is the heart behind it. This business was built from love, fear, sacrifice, resilience, and hope. It’s not just the love of our family — it’s the love of every single person we meet along the way.
We love connecting with our community, building friendships that feel like family, and creating a place where people feel welcomed, valued, and understood. We are beyond blessed for every person who has become part of our village and supported this journey with us.
