MINNEAPOLIS — From her Victoria, Minnesota home office, Katie White works a job she never intended.
In 2022, White received a heart transplant and a visit with Mayo’s Art at the Bedside program that would end up changing the trajectory of her life.
Two years ago, White started a business — Katie White Designs — selling her clay earrings at boutiques around Minnesota and Wisconsin. Now, business is booming.
“I would say we are in 20, 25 stores across the Twin Cities and Wisconsin, so it’s pretty huge,” White said.
Her work is now sold at Statement Boutique in the North Loop of Minneapolis and at LaRose & Co. in Chanhassen — just to name a few.
“She came in and I couldn’t believe she just had a heart transplant, and they were beautiful. I think I bought all of it,” Sarah LaRose, co-owner of LaRose & Co. said.
White had just received a new heart when she started making jewelry from her Mayo Clinic room.