Meet Greta Hotmer | Jewelry Designer, Singer/Songwriter, Herbalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Greta Hotmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greta, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I think defining what ‘succeeding’ looks like for you in your own personal life is the first part. For me, ‘success’ means having quality of life as a part of the entire process. For many years I spent working for others and myself in a constant grind and had almost zero quality of life. I felt like I was always scrambling and working and never enjoying the ‘little’ things, or being present. In addition, I have lived with Chronic Lyme Disease (an autoimmune disease that affects the neurological system) for almost 20 years. For the first decade or so of living with Lyme, I was very angry and sad, and it took me a lot of soul searching and spiritual work to learn to find peace and quality of life, all while also learning to run my own business. Thankfully, I have healed enough that most of my symptoms are cyclical in a way that I have learned to enjoy my life (i.e. be successful), and know how to be more compassionate and caring with myself during those times.

So how does this work with running a business? The tools and habits that have been most helpful for me are:

1. Planning – Each week I update a shared Google document with my consultant and friend who creates my newsletters and helps with our weekly collection releases. In this document I plan out the weeks ahead and we troubleshoot any potential issues that have come up. It seems simple but just this basic level of planning is incredibly powerful for creating overall continuity in your business and brand.
2. Consistency – Think of whatever your business or passion pursuit is, as a plant that you are nurturing to grow. Water it consistently, give it the elements it needs consistently, show up even on the days you don’t think anything is happening. Most of the time when it seems like nothing is happening, it just hasn’t happened yet.
3. Community – Luckily my spouse and I love to brainstorm about business (as he also has his own small business MMA Apparel line ‘Brainbiter’). We love to whip up new ideas and break down the trials and successes of our own business journeys. Whether it is a trusted friend, a mentor, or coach, it is incredibly helpful to have someone you can bounce things off of whose opinion you value. Many previously unseen solutions and ideas come out of the ether during these conversations.
4. Celebrate Your Customers – Find ways to tell them you appreciate them often. Could be just those words, could be with special offers; but these special individuals are the essential component that helps keep the dream of small business alive. Especially during these wild times in our world, this is exceptionally vital.
5. Spend Time In Nature – Not everyone can go on a nature walk a couple of times a week, but if you can it will fuel your soul and your inspiration in mystical ways. If you are not able to do this though, you can still capture this magic by stepping outside and practicing mindful breathing and mindful observation of whatever is around you. The real key is getting quiet, just so happens I prefer to do this in nature if and when possible. That stillness contains magic and fuel for your journey.
6. Play – These days I tend to put ‘play’ closer to the top of this list as it is a fundamental part of my criteria for what it means to be successful. This play can be down time with friends and family, watching or listening to something hilarious, or doing something physically playful. I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Mercs BJJ in Colorado Springs and even though it is incredibly physically challenging, it is so FUN that I am only renewed by the experience. This playtime is a crucial component of what makes life meaningful and a habit that can contribute to success.

Our culture has long defined success to be about dollars and the size of a business or home, etc…but I believe that beyond having your essential needs met (food, rent, healthcare, etc) that success is when we are truly present in our lives and able to connect with ourselves, our loved ones, and the beauty of the planet around us. Identify what it truly means for you to feel successful, as it may be much different than my definition…when it’s all said and done and we look back on our lives, what are the things that will tell you that you had a life well lived?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began making jewelry when I was 9, and have had a passion for crystals since as long as I can remember. I would collect all the pretty stones I could find, even being told not to take home the rocks that filled the steps of my pre-K playground. I would use my rock tumbler, but never could wait for what seemed like an eternity of three weeks, until the tumbling process was done, just so I could play with the magickal crystals again. I would make jewelry as gifts or as my way of sending strength and love to friends, family, and sometimes strangers, when I could do nothing else to help. Jewelry has been my eternal hug and way to show my love to all the lives I encounter, for as long as I can remember.

Hawk Couture was officially born during my twenties as I was living with Chronic Lyme Disease while trying to keep up with my very active life as a singer and a martial artist. That’s a longer story for another time. I kept losing the crystals I would keep in my bra and it dawned on me that I could combine my passion for making jewelry with my passion for crystals. I began making crystal necklaces that I would essentially wear as energetic ‘armor’, as I was too weak to fend for myself. I believed they provided me strength and comfort as I navigated other healing modalities, and I began giving other crystal necklaces to those around me who were in need of the same thing, whether from losing loved ones, to just going through a really stressful period.

While I love the concept of ‘crystal healing’ I don’t believe we really know how to utilize the potential technology of them yet…but I do believe they serve as excellent reminders and companions during our own journeys in life as we do the work that helps us to navigate life’s challenges. This is something I feel sets Hawk Couture apart a bit in the crystal jewelry realm. With every collection and every description, we always try to drive home that there is no greater magic than YOU…you don’t need anything else…that being said, esoteric tools, whether crystals, tarot cards, etc, serve as excellent tools when an individual is embarking on an inward journey.

When it comes to uplifting the community, we don’t think there is a “right time” to support causes we care about, so currently a portion of all Hawk Couture profits support various organizations near and dear to our hearts. Our past and current benefits and design auctions have raised funds for organizations like the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, serving its mission by providing intervention, education, outreach, advocacy, and programs to prevent, reduce, and remedy domestic violence in Chester County; Why Not Prosper, a Philadelphia-based organization that helps women from prison systems discover their own strength by providing them with the support and resources that will empower them to become responsible, economically self-sufficient and contributing members of the community; Treetops Kitty Café, a safe place for rescued cats to live where guests can visit them and adopt; and Kimonos for Kai, an organization dedicated to helping prevent teen suicide. This is just the beginning… there is no end to the organizations Hawk Couture will be proud to support in the future.

I think the most special part of this whole journey is the community that has grown around Hawk Couture. It’s a community of incredibly giant hearted individuals who are helping make this world more whole and more heart based. I am honored to be connected to my customers and to know that something I’ve made is with them on their individual journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We just moved here in June so I’m sure this itinerary will change a lot in the coming years, however, I am already planning for when my sister and brother in law come out so we can take them to the Garden of the Gods. We all love being in nature so much so we will definitely head west to explore more hikes such as the Craggs and probably the Catamount Reservoirs around Pikes Peak. Most likely I would try to convince them to come to our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym, Mercs Jiu Jitsu and MMA, if not to take class, to at least meet the awesome community there…our family away from home. And we would probably get coffee and food at several of the adorable coffee shops we’ve been to so far, including Dutch Bros (of course!), Jives in Old Colorado, and The Loft in Manitou.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To my parents who always encouraged me to dream wild dreams and to never give up. To my sister who has always been my biggest cheerleader. To my spouse who has taught me to truly believe in myself. And to my closest girlfriend who is the wisest sage and champion…we all need a friend like her.

Website: www.hawkcouture.com

Instagram: hawkcouture

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkcouturedesigns

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdI2rjOeTnWe-i6AIw4ueQ

Other: The YouTube is my music. My project name is ‘Altarviolet’ and there’s a full album on Spotify and all the other platforms.