She's A Boss - Heather Baker

Heather Baker was born in Jamaica and lived there until the age of five when her family moved to New York City. In Jamaica, they lived on a farm where Heather found her love for nature and animals. The thirty-six year old grew up in the Bronx, and went to College in Albany. After graduation, the Black Caribbean American woman moved to Queens for a while until she met her husband of four years, Damitry Samuylov. They now reside in New Jersey. Heather studied psychology, criminology, and sociology in college. During and after college, she worked at the New York State Assembly which she states was great and interesting. "I thought I wanted to go into political science but after working there for two and a half to three years, I decided it wasn't for me. I wanted to figure out where I fit and what I saw for my future. So, I went the law route. I thought, maybe I would apply for law school and become a lawyer. I wanted something that was challenging, but would also motivate me and be interesting at the same time. Before getting into law, I wanted to know how it all worked. I applied for legal positions. I worked as a paralegal for about five years. At that point, I was still trying to decide if I wanted to apply for law school or not. I was still not sure. I was then recruited to do in-house attorney development and training for a law firm and I loved it. Basically once attorneys left law school and came into the firm, it was my department's job to give them continued legal education and made sure they had the skills to practice law. We also hosted the events surrounding such needs. I did that until the market crashed."

Heather was getting burned out. She worked 15 hour days and many weekends. "It was really, really bad. I was pretty young. I was 24, 25, and I am not taking anything away from that. It was a really great job."

She loved what she did, but with the recession many businesses were effected. Her company downsized while others employees left. She was relied on heavily. With the long hours and the compensation she received, she was able to pay off her student loans by the age of 28. "I wanted a different environment, a different pace with less stress. It was time for me to move on. I went to a company called PLI and did attorney development and training globally. I was assistant director for CLE which is called Continued Legal Education and Accreditation. I worked with the company for three years. That's where I met my husband. He worked in the IT department. It was great. They are a non-profit organization. The environment was better. The hours were stable." With more time to think and research, Heather spoke to her husband and family and made her next move. "At that point, I decided if I don't go to law school now I'm never going to go. So I left them and went to law school. Law school had a lot of great benefits and was very challenging. I wouldn't tell anyone to take lightly." Heather tells me it was stressful getting out of law school and jobs are not guaranteed. "I have friends I graduated with who still don't have jobs and the debt (for law school) is crazy! But I did that because it was always a part of my narrative. Law school was one of those goals I had to do and want to do. It wasn't initially my goal." She explains it was more of a family suggested goal; the goal of being someone in a successful, important, and mind or even world changing profession. It's what all parents say and at times assist their children in becoming. However, Heather waited and made that ultimate decision herself. During her second year in law school, Heather decided she didn't want to practice law. She continued, knowing that she would not practice law. She again, discussed her decision with her husband and family members. "Thank God for having a supportive family base. Without them, I would go crazy. They were all supportive of my decision."

"The knowledge and degree are very marketable in so many areas. Students don't know that they don't have to necessarily be a lawyer you don't have to practice law. There are so many different avenues you can use your law degree in. It is very beneficially. It's a doctorate degree. I then decided I wanted to venture out and do something a little bit different. I talked it over with my husband and he said, why don't you do that jewelry business you always wanted to do. And I said, you know what you're right." Heather said it took a little more convincing that she led on. "My husband is the risk taker and I am not. It is good to have someone like him in my corner." She is a logical thinker and takes calculated risk. "I'm the one who has plan A's, B's, C's and D's before I ever decide to jump out the plane. I need to know everything before I decide this is the right course for me." Damitry knew her talents and saw the opportunity for her to fulfill her passion. "I thought about it and after awhile I said, you know I really do enjoy making jewelry."

Heather has been making jewelry since 2005. She studies at Fashion Institute and Technology in New York City for 3 years. "I learned many different techniques. One of my first classes I learned how to make pearl and chain necklaces from a woman who sold at Tiffany's. That was my first foray into jewelry making. It started as a creative outlet. It was during the time I was working those crazy long hours and when I was a paralegal. So after work, I would go to my classes as well as the weekend. That was my outlet and I did that for a very long time. I would make sample pieces for myself, for friends and the family. Then I got special request pieces from friends and family they wanted me to create. And I have been doing that since 2005. Making special request jewelry. I got really good feedback from friends and family and Here I am!

My next question was What is Elusive Muse? "The name comes out from two things. I am a very private person in general and I don't like to reveal too much of myself. That's just who I am naturally. I feel there is something added to anyone or to anything that has a bit of mystery behind it. I studied math and physics. I like to figure things out and calculate them. So I always found the intrigue in things that are a little bit elusive, the unknown, and they're hidden a little so you have to work for it. The Muse part is finding the inspiration for my creativity, for the jewelry, for the outlet. It's me looking at the pieces, the raw materials, and finding what can I do with this that will be different, new, bold, fresh and modern?" She says the entire process is her elusive muse. "I make and design my jewelry. I don't look at peoples stuff. I guarantee when you look at my stuff that you won't find people making certain pieces. It's my little-hidden kind of puzzle that I need to put together and make into something beautiful and creative."

I shared with Heather that I have picked out pieces and told my husband I needed the credit card. Disregard the amount on the bill. We'll write it off as a business expense! Her pieces are what she describe them as beautiful, different, bold, fresh and new. One of my favorite pieces I would describe as gorgeously subtle. They are one-of-a-kind pieces that will speak to you. Elusive Muse Jewelry is a great new concept while being strong and feminine. Heather was delighted that I picked that up in her pieces. "It's funny! One of the elusive things about me is that I am an odd mix of masculine and feminine. I'm very tomboyish but I am very girly at the same time. Don't get me wrong I like dainty and simple jewelry - it's what I started out making but I wanted something different. When you wear them they don't take over you like, that piece is wearing you. It actually becomes part of your statement. You can make it as loud as you want or as subtle. I believe each piece attaches itself to the wearer. I call them modern statements because they are statements on the person and not a statement by themselves. They are a statement of the wearer. Not everyone can wear these pieces."

I asked Heather what is an entrepreneur and she states that an entrepreneur is a fighter. "Entrepreneurs fight for their individuality, creativity, and ideas. You're an advocate for yourself, your company, organization - what you're try put forward. Not necessarily what your promoting because I don't think you are always promoting everything. You're just putting forth a new idea, a new concept, your own concept. They say that the idea of innovation is dead because everything that you can think of has already been created. To me, that is not the case. Everyone has their own voice, their own experience, and background. So whatever you put out there is unique to you." We dived into the theme of the piece, being a boss and what it takes to get their. "Being a boss is a lot of stress. Everything lay on your shoulders. There is no figurehead over you tell you, you need to get this done by XYZ deadline. All the deadlines rest on you. No one to pawn it off on. Even if you have people under you, if something fails or goes wrong, guess what, that's your fault. You carry all the weight, pressure, and a lot of responsibility. It's work! But at the same time its very empowering. You're in charge of your world essentially. I think that's why I'm also excited about this new endeavor. The fact that - I am in charge of my own workflow, actions, advertising, marketing, publishing, my clientele. You need to have a confidence in your work, worth, and value. If you don't have these three things, it's going to be very tough pushing and motivating yourself." She then references back to her family support. "But at the end of the day, you're in charge of pushing it, moving forward and taking action. You need to have some kind of independent spirit. Be brave enough to take chances, take the risk, and put yourself out there. Know that you are going to fail at some things. It's a given. There has not been a success story that had 100% success with everything they did the first time they did it. Just know this might not work this time. But keep pushing forward. It takes a lot to move that mountain."

Her advice to up coming entrepreneurs, "Do the research. Look at other people you admire in the field you want to tackle. Read their story. A lot of times, you can call them and talk to them. You will be surprised when you put in that extra effort. People are happy to tell their story." There are many like Heather who will too pay it forward and pass on the information needed. "Even if you are just switching careers, do your research!" She advises you to find out how much capital is needed. Get a business plan and money in the bank. Ask questions and share your plans with this experienced person. She states that you will never know if there solicited advice will aid you in adding something that you didn't think of or take your plan in another direction that will benefit you. "It's going to be a bumpy road. Not everything is going to go smoothly. You need to be prepared for that. You shouldn't be completely blindsided of things that come down the pipe. Be prepared." Heather is a planner by nature and loves research, so she practices her food for thought.

And to the young people, Heather says, if you don't know what you want to do or become, especially when you go to college, don't worry about it. Heather first went to college to become a physicist. It didn't work out for her only because when she signed up for classes they were filled and all the available classes would have been great if she had taken the prerequisites ones. So instead of taking out more loans and be a year behind, she took criminology, psychology, sociology and anthropology. She said, "Pursue your interests now. What do you like to do as a 15, 17, 18-year-old? What makes you happy at this time, at this age, is essentially what will make you happy as an adult. Yes, it's great to have security with a great job. But nothing is really guaranteed. Ultimate happiness comes from things you are motivated to do and not from what you are paid to do. If you are looking to have that work-life balance - do something you love to do." She goes on to say that a liberal arts degree can take you places you didn't expect. Especially if you like writing and researching. I'm glad that Heather stated that here and when speaking of the law degree. "Be creative in everything you do. Be innovative with your degree. You are not limited to the narrative just because what degree you have. 75% of people who have a degree in X do something totally different than what their degree is in. Do what it is you want to do."

All of Heather's pieces are made from 100% natural materials. They are hand painted, hand carved, and hand woven by Heather. "The pieces are not for everyone, but for the price, you are getting unique one-of-a-kind pieces made from raw materials that will last you a lifetime." Most pieces have over 1000 beads. She only makes two or three of the pieces. So when they are gone, they're gone! Many of the materials are vintage. They are made with wood, metal, suede, leather, glass, ceramic and hand made resin. She molds, heats, and cools many of the materials. Her law degree gave her the ability to have them trademarked, copyrighted, and patented. Her designs can not be duplicated or claimed by another.

Visit Elusive Muse Jewelry at ElusiveMuseJewelry.com. Her jewelry prices start from $90. The her collections range from $100 to $340. Her collection names capture the essence of each piece. Visit Elusive Muse and browse through The Modernist, The Tribalist, The Naturalist and Caviar. Coming soon is her heavy metal collection which will consist of thick heavy chains and collars. Elusive Muse a the new thing. It's attractive, it's strong, its all modern pieces. And as Davi shares Elusive Muse and Heather Baker with you, you all will receive a 30% discount on jewelry until March 31, 2017.