Buddha Mama’s codesigners have a specific morning ritual: The mother-daughter duo set a daily intention, put on music that creates a mood, and say thanks for the jewelry they’re about to make.
On some days, Nancy Badia and her daughter Dakota brainstorm a new design together. On others, they go solo and sketch. There are times when they meet with Jainaba Jaye, Buddha Mama’s office manager and one of Dakota’s oldest friends. Nancy considers the working hours with Dakota—and their professional balance—magical.
If this sounds like a spiritual practice within their business plan, that’s because the Badias bring their family’s devotion to Buddhism and their philosophy of giving back to Buddha Mama. Nancy and Dakota work, play, and pray together, and they donate a portion of their brand’s proceeds to causes they love, including Tibet House and Kristi House.
Nancy founded Buddha Mama in 2008, and Dakota joined her two years later. “I went straight from college to Buddha Mama, and we both learned how to run a jewelry business together,” Dakota says. “Every aspect of the company, from design to buying stones to manufacturing, we learned together.
“We each bring our own vibe to a design concept, but our personal perspectives on design need to be honed together so they always work well as collection,” Dakota adds. “We get along very well and have a definitive vision for the brand.”
Miami-based Buddha Mama grew out of Nancy’s lifelong love of jewelry. In her days as a self-described hippie, “I would layer as much as I could and have a lot of fun with jewels,” she says. “It set the stage for my future as a jewelry designer.”
Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, to a Norwegian father and German mother, Nancy moved to Minnesota at age 9 with her parents, who practiced Buddhism. Years later, desiring warmer weather, she attended the University of Miami, where she received a bachelor’s in business management in 1982.
Nancy met her husband, Joseph, in Miami, and worked at his family’s spice business in the 1980s. As the company expanded, Nancy did everything there from bottling to hand-packing boxes to accounting, she recalls.
After Nancy and Joseph had three daughters, she decided to work only part-time. At home, she would string mala beads on necklaces and bracelets to be sold as a fundraiser for her local Buddhist center, in Coconut Grove.
She started making some special pieces for friends, and her need for materials increased. She began attending trade shows and traveling internationally (to Thailand and elsewhere)—and fell in love with the jewelry industry, she says.
Like her mom, Dakota studied business management in college. But she ultimately decided to leave school and go to work with Nancy at Buddha Mama. Dakota had previously held a variety of jobs, from high school forward, including at a vintage clothing and costume shop called Miami Twice.
“Beginning part-time [at Buddha Mama], I eventually got hooked and couldn’t wait to start designing,” says Dakota. “The creativity aspect of jewelry is so fun and never-ending.
“My jewelry philosophy is to create pieces that make you feel good. Whether it be a chain, hoops, or tons of layering, jewelry can transform your mood and look.”
Nancy says her mission is the same: to make happy, collectible jewelry pieces that are based in her beliefs.
“Our tagline is that it is designed ‘with intention for one’s individual expression,’ and we are deeply connected to that philosophy,” Nancy says.
Top: Dakota and Nancy Badia are codesigners for their jewelry brand, Buddha Mama. (Photos courtesy of Buddha Mama)
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