The mother of the founder and COO of Bound Studios. Some of you may have met her in the Bound Store. For the ones that haven’t met this amazingly loving power woman, allow us to introduce her to you through the interview we did with her for Mother's Day.
In this interview, we'll get to know Lonieke personally, in business, and as a mother. Lonieke is the ultimate inspiration for Bound Studios, as she worked in the jewelry industry before she had Malu. Malu was beyond inspired by her work and knowledge in the jewelry business, she was set to start her own adventure in the Jewelry space. But this time, it is sustainable jewelry.
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HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
I would describe myself as an empath, creative, independent, caring, and passionate about freedom and equality.
WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?
Pisces. Just like my oldest daughter.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL AND WHY?
Hmm. I would have to say a dolphin, I love the water. One of my favorite things is to jump into the ocean.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?
I love tea and juices. But my all-time favorite is definitely a mango smoothie!
WHAT DOES A PERFECT DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
I would wake up with ease, take a shower, write, go for a walk in the forest, and do some work in the afternoon. I love a slow start and work later in the day.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST IN LIFE?
My children, nature, travels, and experiencing new cultures.
WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE SONG?
"How Can We Hang on to a Dream" by Tim Hardin
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF WORKING AT BOUND STUDIOS?
Every time I’m working with my daughter Malu. In the store, packing orders, and helping customers. And when I’m not working directly with her, I love customer service and talking about our fine jewelry. Nothing compares to the feeling of making customers happy with low footprint jewelry. Happy customer, happy earth ;-).
WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING THE COO AT BOUND?
I love to organize. I always feel my best when things are done, and the team & customers are happy while we change the jewelry industry.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK IN THE FINE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?
It wasn’t a conscious choice. I wanted to work in another country, and I saw an ad for a jewelry store in Greece, and that is where I started. That is where I learned a lot about gold, gemstones, and the quality of jewelry.
After working in the jewelry business for a while, I moved back to Amsterdam and had enough experience to be hired at Gassan Diamonds. This was where I learned more about the fine jewelry industry and worked more with solid gold, diamonds, and the philosophy of the fine jewelry business.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF WORKING IN THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER?
I don’t have one memory, but I loved the moments where I was able to make someone so happy with a new piece of jewelry. It is and always has been a sentimental token of love/milestone/appreciation. I have worked with clients with many budgets, and the feeling was always satisfying.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SUSTAINABLE JEWELRY?
A lot of people don’t know that sustainable also means being very honest and transparent. In a lot of aspects of the jewelry industry, people and our planet are being abused in so many ways. Being sustainable is taking the responsibility