Kristin graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Apparel and Textiles. After graduation, Kristin moved to New York where she accepted a production assistant position in Tommy Hilfiger’s Children’s Division. She later moved to the Women’s Sportswear Division where she worked with the Federated Department Stores.

After more than two years in New York, she married and returned to Charlotte to work for Fox Cable Networks in their marketing department. Following her tenure with Fox, Kristin decided to go into business for herself and pursue a lifelong interest in jewelry design. Thus, Vanilla Jewelry was founded in 2005 with a primary focus on costume jewelry inspired by old world materials. Vanilla’s lines are sold in major metropolitan areas throughout the South East.