Founded by Terrica Do, started as a small hobby but soon developed into a growing empire. 

The granddaughter of Vietnamese refugees, Terrica has grown up with both the influence of her Vietnamese heritage and the inspiration of American culture. Her grandmother, Mai Nguyen, was the main reason for her enthusiasm and appreciation for jewelry. Mai was born in Ha Tien in 1952 and escaped to America during the Vietnam war with her husband, Anh Le, and 7 kids. Anh was a former fisherman, then Vietnamese soldier who escaped a "re-education" camp after being held prisoner for 4 years. After escaping to America, a Lutheran church granted Mai and her family a house to live in for just $1, marking the beginning of this family's first generation to be born in America. 

Terrica describes her earliest memory of her grandmother as an assertive woman with a fluffy perm, always wearing gold and jade. Without any money or a banking system, Mai always kept her jewelry close, never removing her rings or necklace or bangles. Terrica cherishes the intimate moments spent in her grandmother's room, trying on her favorite pieces and pleading to keep some. She remembers her grandmother squeezing her small fists into the tight bangles her grandma brought back from Vietnam. She relives the memories of listening to her grandmother haggle for better prices on gold and jade in her small town in Vietnam. When asked what was the inspiration to grow Kahlua Jade, Terrica says it stems from her grandmother's admiration for jewelry and the special bond they shared over it.

“I want to create a space where people can embody the emotions I felt in those small moments with my grandma through their jewelry. For everyone to feel and be seen as unique as they are. The jade pieces we choose to wear almost become a part of us. I have worn the same jade necklace for almost 10 years and have never taken it off. Jade is more than just jewelry; it’s a vessel for energy. Our connection to our jewelry goes beyond appearance; it's about how we feel wearing it and the energy we carry with it.”