Stephanie Choo, founder of Eden + Elie. (Credit: Courtesy of Eden + Elie)
Her Jewelry Company Hires and Trains Neurodivergent Artisans
Stephanie Choo’s jewelry line, Eden + Elie, provides individuals on the Autism spectrum with employment opportunities and craft skills.
Stephanie Choo grew up in a family who loved to make things, clothing in particular. Choo’s childhood experiences crafting assorted garments with her sister, mother, aunt and grandmother translated into her first career as an architect – the urge to create and build never left her. In her travels as an adult, Choo observed how communities across the globe could always find a modicum of economic independence by selling crafts at local marketplaces – and how marketplace economics, broadly speaking, could be a force for good. In 2016, Choo launched Eden + Elie, a traditional beaded and handwoven jewelry line, to find her own place in that system. Choo knew early on that she wanted her business to be a source of employment for those often cast aside in traditional workplaces, so she began to train individuals on the Autism spectrum to make Eden + Elie’s pieces. Today, the Singapore-based entrepreneur is proud to provide neurodivergent people with a skillset and employment, while still honoring her lifelong passion for design and craftsmanship.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
Our jewelry is made using responsibly sourced materials – no solvents, emissions or heavy equipment – and woven by hand by our team of artisans, all of whom are individuals on the Autism spectrum. Even though our jewelry is handmade, each piece is impeccably produced because of our artisans’ abilities to do extremely detailed, consistent work. And, each piece has a meaningful story.
Tell us about your biggest success so far.
We have shipped our product to over 37 countries and 350 cities around the world. Our jewelry has been gifted to heads of state, as well as celebrities.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Operating out of Singapore, our costs are very high. We are looking into ways of broadening our impact beyond our current team of artisans, into other communities. This will allow us to share knowledge and capabilities with other marginalized groups, while at the same time strengthening and diversifying our product line beyond (costly) jewelry.
Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?
My daughter, Eden, has chronic kidney disease. She was diagnosed when she was 9, in my second year of business. I chose to continue growing the company despite the significant pressure her health condition presented.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
You need more than passion to succeed. You need to be good at something first, whatever that thing is, because you need to bring that to the table. I was a trained architect, and now I design jewelry. When you know what you are good at, it is easier to rally others to fill other roles at your company.
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
I retreat to my studio to design and reconnect with the joy of making. I also remind myself that what I do is purposeful, and that I have a team who collectively believe in what we are trying to do.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
“Brave” by Sara Bareilles.
Who is your most important role model?
The older I get, the more I realize and understand that we are all doing our best. While I have wanted to be mentored at different points in my career, I don’t have any one significant role model. Rather, I make it a practice to learn from all different people, and to connect with good souls.
Instagram: @Edenandelie
Facebook: @Edenandelie
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