As a former licensed psychologist in private practice for many years, and now a full-time jewelry designer, my work is a blend of artistry, creativity and connection. Crafting beautiful, one-of-a-kind and meaningful pieces of wearable art jewelry has taught me so much about the value of relationships - whether it's the components, the ideas or the people I work with. This philosphy extends to how I approach professional partnerships, which I would like to share with you.
There's a profound difference between transactional relationships, which focus solely on short-term exchanges (sales), and relational ones, built on longer-term values such as trust, reciprocity, mutual growth and respect. I strive to cultivate relational partnerships because I believe that when we connect as people - not just as roles (seller and buyer) or functions - we can achieve meaningful and enduring success together.
My guiding principal is reciprocity: the idea that both of us bring value to the table and grow together. I dedicate time and care to understanding your needs and goals, tailoring my approach to create pieces that resonate with you. However, like any relationship, this works best when there is respectful understanding and mutual effort such as an alignment between words and actions, my unique personhood and the pricing of my products.
It's important to not only recognize, but remember that I, too, have needs - both personal and professional. As someone committed to offering you the best care and attention, I also have the reality of running a creative, yet highly demanding business. This comes with its own challenges, including the need to effectively and thoughtfully manage my time as well as my financial and non-financial resources to ensure sustainable and high-quality products and services. As do you, I too need to feel valued as a person, and as an artist.
To nurture a healthy working relationship, setting clear limits is essential. While I'm always happy to go the extra mile to create something truly special, there are times when I must protect my capacity and resources to ensure that I can best serve you, and all my clients with the utmost dedication and energy that you deserve. I need to consciously manage what I not only can give, but I must remain cognizant in protecting my reserves and avoiding burn out.
At the heart of it all, I'm not just someone providing a product and a service. I'm a person who values the power of human connection and aims to foster relationships built on mutual understanding and respect. My business is built upon creating a foundation of trust, collaboration and mutuality that we both rely upon.
I'd love to hear your thought or ideas on how we can enhance our partnership. Together let's create something greater than the sum of its parts - something that reflects the shared effort and values that we both contribute. Thank you for your time. (katkouturejewelrydesigns@gmail.com)