Meet Clare Hynes | Handbag & Jewelry Designer & Founder of Soli & Sun

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

Hi Clare, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business evolved over a few years! I’ve always been creative, I have a background in graphic design and started making jewelry as a hobby when I was on maternity leave with my second child. I dreamt of being able to make some money by selling my jewelry designs. I major life curve ball saw us moving to China, because of my husband’s job, which meant I left my graphic design day job and was able to pursue the jewelry making once we had settled in China. I sold my pieces to fellow expat women and gained more and more confidence in my design abilities.
We then moved to the Philippines. I carried on designing and selling my jewelry, but also at the same time I was inspired by my new surroundings. My design aesthetic evolved, I also fell in love with all the indigenous fabrics and weaving I discovered and so started my new ‘dream’ of designing bags with the woven rattan and fabrics. I took a bag design course, and slowly started to experiment with different designs. I also wanted to support Filipino artisans so connected with a co-operative whilst I was living there.
We then moved to the US in the summer of 2019, I knew that I had something quite unique and I wanted to bring my resort style designs and Filipino craftsmanship to the US and that’s when Soli & Sun was born.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is to do what you love and have a passion for. It has taken me years to get to where I am today. But almost every day I do something to push the business forward. I can only do that because I love it so much.
Another lesson I’ve learnt is to outsource! For me the thing I love most and what gives me purpose is being creative and ultimately this is what will push the business forward. So I’m at a stage now as the business is growing that I need to outsource more of the day to day tasks so that I make time for creativity.
Another lesson I’ve learnt is to join a network, get a coach or join a Mastermind. It can be lonely sometimes having your own business, so being able to brainstorm ideas with fellow entrepreneurs or ask for advice is invaluable

I’m most excited about the fact that we’ve recently been picked up by the Four Seasons resort in Anguilla and soon to be Maui too. The last six months has seen more and more resort hotels and boutiques ordering from us. I’m so proud that the dream I had back when I was living in the Philippines has become a reality and I’m also proud that I’m able to give back to a community of artisans in the Philippines and support the T’boli women and their indigenous craft.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The women of the T’boli tribe in Lake Sebu, Philippines. These women weave all the rattan and fabric that’s used in our bags. They use traditional weaving techniques that are passed down from generation to generation

Website: https://www.soliandsun.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soliandsun/