Daily Inspiration: Meet Kara Kirk

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Kirk.

Hi Kara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi, yes, of course. I’ll try to keep it short. I am Kara Kirk. Middle Tennessee has been my home for the past 20+ years, so watching the rapid growth brings lots of excitement and new people to meet, but with that comes challenges, like traffic. Haha. I graduated from MTSU with an Exercise Science degree, became a personal trainer while still in school and had intended on staying a trainer and leading strength and conditioning camps for volleyball. When I was offered a job in leasing and sales at my family’s real estate company, I had no idea what I was walking into and the learning curve I was in for, but I found real estate to be a whole different level of fun. I was almost 5 years into real estate and still enjoying it, but I wanted to do something with my hands, build something, create a way to give back, I just didn’t know how or with what. So, let me just say this all happened because of God. And this business is His. He orchestrates who I get connected with, where I get invited to, and holds me accountable.

Have you heard of the Business Boutique Podcast by Christy Wright. I started listening to it in 2019- even though I didn’t have a business. The podcast helped get my wheels turning.. what am I good at? What do I enjoy? What can I do to give back?

The idea of having a business that produced an income that I could use to pour into another ministry that was spreading the gospel and doing Kingdom work was WHY I wanted to start something. I just didn’t know what. So, after a few months of listening to the podcast, my eyes and ears were tuned to be looking for something I could do. So, when I saw a friend of a friend making earrings out of clay, I bought a few, and then my eyes lit up because I knew… I CAN DO THIS! I can create with clay in my style… maybe they’ll sell, and if they don’t, I can wear them all! Haha, ok not really wear them all, I was just hoping & praying this could be the THING that takes off and God can use. So, I decided I was going to go for it, bought all the things, and partnered with God… literally.

We split the profits 50/50. I remember being in the gym, praying about what the name of this business would be, asking God what He wanted it to be. I knew I didn’t want to have my name in it. The word KNOWN kept coming to mind, then the thought of being fully known and deeply loved, then Psalm 139 being fearfully and wonderfully made, and ‘you have searched me, Lord, and know me’, etc. Over the next couple weeks, it was like puzzle pieces coming together. He was bringing it all together and I’m still learning the magnitude of His word KNOWN.

It began with making a few pairs, a friend at church asked if I was selling them, she bought a pair, and another, then another friend bought a pair and told a friend, and soon it spread by word of mouth and Instagram. Little did I know, clay earrings would quickly become the next trend for 2020 and 2021.

I started going to handmade craft markets, posting on Instagram with the brand name KNOWN & sharing the message of Psalm 139. Each pair sold has ‘PS139’ written on the back in my hope that whether they choose to wear those earrings or another pair, they will at least see PS139 and be reminded that they are fully known and deeply loved by Jesus.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There have definitely been a few bumps here and there. I’ve been in a constant state of ‘figuring it out’ since 2019, and I think that’s the most important part to know when you start anything new- you will feel like you don’t know what you’re doing (and you don’t) but if you just keep showing up, keep learning, growing, and doing… the consistency of learning and changing and growing is what creates something beautiful and sustainable. Anothing thing that can cause problems if left unchecked is the comparing game. It is real, especially on social media. I try not to compare likes and followers, but I’m human, it’s a challenge, so that’s a continual area I have to give to God and refocus on what’s important and why I am doing this.

I haven’t grown the fastest, I didn’t go viral, but I’ve seen steady growth and it’s been more than enough for me to try to juggle with my full-time job, so it’s a blessing I haven’t grown faster because I wouldn’t be able to keep up. I am grateful I’ve been able to stay personal with each DM I receive because that has created a community of amazing followers, with some that have become good friends. Some of them I get to meet at markets and others are out-of-state friends that I hope to meet one day.

Another bump in the road is naturally being ‘good’ at business, marketing, or design. I have to work at it. And I know I’m definitely not the best with organizing, so juggling all of that has been a real challenge. I just like to sit down and make things. Keeping track of everything else is not my area of expertise, so I’ve had to ask for help, put systems in place to keep it organized without too much detail, and do lots of praying. I don’t have it all figured out and probably won’t ever, but I’m learning.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I’m not working full time, I come home to create high-quality hypoallergenic handmade clay earrings. They are literally made in my kitchen and at the dining room table. I’m sure once I get married, the location will have to change, but for now, it’s great.

My goal is to spread the message of Psalm 139 so ‘PS139’ is written and sealed on the back of every pair of earrings. The Clay Cross and Clay Pearl necklaces have become really popular, so a gold filled tag with PS139 has been created for those. I don’t know what I’m becoming known for yet, but my hope is that it would be for giving God the glory for all of this, success large or small, excellent work, and loving people. Without my faith in Jesus, all of this would be meaningless.

On the flip side- when I’m not creating my earrings, I work full time in my family’s company, Swanson Developments, leasing and selling our commercial and industrial real estate. The majority of what we own is in middle Tennessee, south of Nashville in Murfreesboro. Real estate is a fun job, earrings will most likely always remain a ‘side hustle’.

I like to think what sets me apart from others is my perspective. I believe we are all created with gifts to use for His glory. He has shown me several of mine and I enjoy helping others see/find what they are good at and what God may have gifted them with also.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I briefly mentioned in my story that creating Known Clay Designs came from a desire to give back. Jesus and I are in business together, so we split the profits 50/50 (even though all is really His, I just steward it), so 50% of the profits are given away to different ministries.

We are currently splitting the funds in half to give to two organizations. The Well House in Birmingham, AL, and the second one I will not mention yet since I haven’t told them we will be giving to them. You’ll have to follow on Instagram or search our website to see when that is announced! I’m so excited to share!

This business has become so much more than I ever thought possible, so I hope that if you have a THING you’ve been wanting to try, I hope you GO FOR IT! We all are living a beautiful story in the making so give Him the glory and go DO THE THING! I pray many people will come to know the love of Jesus through this business and Psalm 139. Find me on social media or visit the website!

Contact Info:

• Email: knownclaydesigns@gmail.com
• Website: www.knownclaydesigns.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/known_claydesigns