Meet Mimmi Karlsson of Mimmi’s Creations

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mimmi Karlsson.

Mimmi, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was 12 years old, living with my family in Sweden, I had a few big dreams. I wanted to move to California and work as a wedding planner. Now, fifteen years later, I am so happy that both these dreams have finally come into my life.

I have always had big dreams, and I always had a desire to leave Sweden to explore other places on earth. USA and California were always my number one place to go to. Many movies and shows I was watching as a kid and teenager, were set in California, and I could not get those beautiful views out of my mind. After I graduated from high school in Sweden, I moved to Long Island, New York, to work as an au pair (a live-in nanny) for a family. I had an amazing year but was very homesick now and then. I moved back to Sweden, but after only six months, I realized that I could not stay there, so I needed to move again. This time, I applied to Santa Barbara City College, where I moved in August 2013. I spent over four years there, because I could not decide if I wanted to stay in Santa Barbara or not. I kept planning to move back to Sweden after almost every semester, but something always made me come back. I kind of wish that I would have planned out my classes more carefully, and been determined to stay so that I could have spent half the time there, but I also don’t regret anything, because then I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I transferred to San Diego State University, which became my home very fast. San Diego was, and still is, the most amazing place I have ever been to. I love it here so much!

I started my business with my little sister in Sweden in fall 2018 and started making jewelry to sell. After a while, I also registered my business in the U.S, and now I sell all kinds of creations here. I make dream catchers, crystal jewelry, wine charms, and much more. I am in a very happy place right now, and actually the happiest place I’ve ever been to. During the past few years, I have dealt with death of a relative, major depression and anxiety, many confusions of what I want to do with my life, and the struggle of getting through college while facing all of this. My journey here has been so long, and many times, I have considered moving back to Sweden and to just give up on my dreams. However, I have never let my weaknesses take me that far, and I have always found myself back on track towards my dreams.

In February 2019, I reached out to many different wedding planners to see if I could possibly find an internship. I came in contact, and met, with Gisele, owner of Events by Gisele, and Araceli, owner of Cafe au Love. Meeting these two wedding coordinators were two amazing moments of my life. Everything felt right, and I realized why I had fought so hard to get here. I started assisting both coordinators at their weddings, and everyone has been incredible. I have learned so much from these entrepreneurial women, and I cannot be thankful enough that I got the opportunity to work with them both.

I am currently working to get my website up and running, and soon I am planning to start advertising my event planning services on Yelp and Google. I am very nervous about starting off by myself, but this is also a dream-come-true! I am so glad that I have never stopped believing in my dreams, and stayed determined, even in the hardest times. I believe that I can do anything I set my mind to, and right now, my mind is set to get my event planning business off the ground!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I mentioned many struggles in the previous question, and yes, there has been many! It has been very hard to start a whole new life across the world from everyone you know. I have had to do everything myself, and many times, I have felt like giving up and moving back to Sweden.

In spring 2018, I hit a major depression point, and the entire 2018 was extremely difficult to get through. I overworked myself in the beginning of the year and was completely exhausted when fall came along. I hit a wall and wasn’t motivated to do anything anymore. Luckily, I got help from a wonderful therapist and psychiatrist, and they both helped me get better, slowly but surely.

It has been a year and a half since I started taking antidepressants and starting therapy, and I am finally back to my old self. I have learned a lot about myself over the past 18 months, and I have realized how much I can handle, and when I need to say no to things.

I met my boyfriend in December 2018 and moved in with him in July 2019. Even though we have had huge up and downs, he has become my greatest support, and he helps me get through everything.

Mimmi’s Creations – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I started Mimmi’s Creations by making bracelets out of a South American macrame string. I started this when I traveled and volunteered through Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia in the summer of 2018. The next products I started making was crystal necklaces, and from there, I have added more and more products.

Now, I make bracelets out of lava rocks, gems, and crystals, crystal necklaces, dream catchers, wine charms, rosaries, malas, and more.

I also got certified in Reiki Healing in 2018. I did my Level 1 in Colombia, and Level 2 in San Diego. And now, I am adding event planning to my portfolio.

I am most proud of that I have turned a dream into reality. I have always wanted to own my own business, and here I am. I think what sets me apart from others, is that I love working in many different fields, as long as I can use my creativity. My creativity is my superpower and with a creative mind, nothing is impossible.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is to have accomplished something you have dreamed about. It’s about doing something that you love.

The main thing I care about is being happy. If I’m happy, everything else falls into place.