Nikki Novak shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Nikki, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
The most misunderstood thing about my business is the name of what I do: “permanent jewelry.”
It’s honestly a terrible name! At markets, people often approach my booth with this cautious, almost nervous tone and ask, “So…what exactly is permanent jewelry?” I get it—when I first heard the term myself, I assumed it had something to do with piercings or tattoos. There are so many better words we could use for this service, but at the end of the day, “permanent jewelry” is what people recognize. So I spend a lot of time simply educating, reassuring, and reframing what it really is: a beautiful, meaningful, clasp-free piece you wear every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nikki Novak, and I’m the owner of Adornable, a permanent jewelry and boutique ear-piercing studio based in Parker. I also own Kaunis, my growing wholesale jewelry brand. What I do looks like jewelry on the surface, but the heart of my business is meaning, memory, and connection.
At Adornable, I specialize in creating clasp-free, everyday jewelry and a first-class, gentle piercing experience in a peaceful, private studio. I work with mothers and daughters, sisters, best friends, cancer survivors, new moms—people marking moments both big and small. Some of the pieces I make become symbols of grief, healing, new chapters, or celebrations. Those stories are what make this work so special to me.
I also run Kaunis, where I help other business owners by offering hypoallergenic earrings, piercing supplies, and hands-on guidance to elevate their own studios and client experience. I’m passionate about raising industry standards and helping fellow entrepreneurs grow with confidence and clarity.
Right now I’m focused on expanding both sides of my business—continuing to create meaningful pieces for my community while building a national wholesale brand that prioritizes safety, quality, and beauty. At the end of the day, everything I do comes back to connection: helping people feel something the moment they put on a piece of jewelry.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My third grade teacher, Mr. Rodie. He changed my life. He was really the first person, besides my family, who made me feel remarkable. Because of him, I developed a love for learning, which carries me through this day. I auditioned for a local TV show as a child reporter – and got job! And most of all, he helped me develop confidence in myself and the belief that I was smart and capable. I could never thank him enough for that.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The thing that has held me back the most in my life has been the fear of what others might think of me. I’ve spent so much of my life worrying about how I might be perceived—whether people would judge where I went to college, what my job title was, or if I measured up in the ways I thought I needed to.
But underneath that fear was something good: I genuinely care about how I impact people. I care about making others feel seen, supported, and understood. I’m just learning to separate that from seeking validation or approval.
I’m still working on shifting my focus away from “What will they think of me?” and toward “How can I show up meaningfully for the people I care about?” It’s been a gradual but powerful shift, and it’s opened up so much more confidence, creativity, and freedom in my life and business.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what really matters to me, they’d say my family, without hesitation. My husband and my kids are the center of everything I do. I’ve got a great husband and the world’s three best kids.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was kind. Kindness is one of my biggest values and I genuinely want the people I know and interact with to feel seen and special. I make it a point to exercise kindness every day, brag about my friends and loved ones when they’re not around, and spread a little joy where I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adornablepj.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/adornablepj
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/adornablepj
Image Credits
Kate Norris Photography
