OC alumna Kayla Gabelhouse felt there was a gap in the jewelry market and started making pieces for herself and her friends. What started as a fun side hustle, quickly grew to being a profitable jewelry business that’s been featured in Vanity Fair UK and donned on reality TV stars.
What did you take at OC/OUC? When did you graduate? What campus did you attend?
BBA with a specialty in Marketing, I graduated in April 2020.
Would you recommend the program you took? Why/why not?
Yes! My program was such a great sneak peek into the business world! I loved learning real-world experience from my professors and the guests that OC brought in. I was able to learn technical business skills such as accounting, finance and management, as well as have real-world experiences through OC simulations and connecting with my peers/professors.
Looking back at your time at OC, what is your best memory?
I absolutely loved how most of my professors were actively participating within the business community here in the Okanagan. Their real-world experience always brought a refreshing and realistic view of business. I also really appreciated the smaller-sized classrooms, it allows for real connections to be made and time to get to know your classmates and professors. I curated some really amazing relationships during my time at OC!
Laura Hetherington was one of my favourite professors and I really admire her to this day. Not only did she help get me through an accounting course (which was one of the most challenging courses for me), she also reminded me that we should all be chasing our dreams and experiencing those bucket list adventures. Laura has taken time off from instructing to travel with her family and I've always really admired that!
When did you start Lavender and Grace? What made you decide to do it?
I started Lavender & Grace Jewelry in June of 2015 during my gap year, just before I started at AVÌìÌÃ. I didn't start it intentionally really, I just found there was a gap in the jewelry market! I felt that there were either very expensive, high-end jewels or pieces that are super cheap, but turn your skin green in two days. For years, it was a small side hustle for fun but I quickly learned that I could turn this into a full blown business.
How did the skills you learned at OC prepare you for starting your own business?
I learned so many skills at OC, but I think learning how to balance and juggle many things at once was the most important skill and is a quality you have to have to be a successful student and business owner! Also, the many class presentations really do prepare you for being an entrepreneur and feeling comfortable talking about your business.
What do you think has been the biggest turning point for your career path?
Hiring a team! I was a solopreneur until Feb. 2021, with tons of help from friends and family, but hiring two dedicated roles was game changing for my mental health and workload! Delegating is key to growing your business, as no one can do it ALL.
What’s the biggest challenge you face?
Being your own boss is amazing, but it can be so lonely and challenging when you don’t have someone telling you what to do in tough situations! Small business owners and entrepreneurs face many decisions every day and wear many hats, so being able to trust your gut is so important when facing challenges- big or small.
What are you most passionate about in your career?
I am most passionate about sharing the real experiences, having hard conversations and being a genuine, kind leader! I find that some businesses can glamourize the ‘hustle’ and I try my best to showcase and talk about the real ups and downs that come with being a small business owner- specifically a young one!
What’s next for you?
I am currently focusing on growing my team and business, as we are a small team of three women! We experienced wild growth over the last two years, so we are focusing on managing that growth and working towards our next big goal of opening an L&G studio/store in Kelowna.
What advice would you pass on to current/future students?
The time is now! As cliché as that sounds, there’s never going to be a perfect time to do anything. If you’re interested in starting a business, you might as well start one while you are most inspired and motivated and living in the business world via OC. Take advantage of having connections to some of the top people in the business community, at OC, while you can. I truly believe being a younger entrepreneur brings a fresh perspective to a lot of situations!
To learn more about Lavender & Grace Jewelry visit or follow on Instagram.
Bachelor of Business Administration
This unique four-year degree program focuses on business in the Canadian and international context. Year one of the program provides a solid foundation in general business. In subsequent years, specializations are available in Accounting, Financial Services, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Human Resources Management, Management, and Marketing. A General Studies specialization is also available to those who want to take elective courses from a variety of specialties. Business and non-business electives are also part of the program.
About the OCAA
The AVÌìÌà Alumni Association (OCAA) is a non-profit organization that celebrates alumni by creating connections and opportunities.
The OCAA was founded in 1988. Since then, the goal of the Association has been to connect alumni with each other and with the College, while supporting the College's mission statement of transforming lives and communities.
The OCAA offers benefits and networking opportunities to OC graduates and celebrates them by sharing their stories and recognizing their achievements through awards such as the Distinguished & Young Alumni Awards.
Know an alumni doing great things? We want to hear about them. Contact us, alumni@okanagan.bc.ca.