How Making Jewelry Helped Debbie Slavkin Heal After a Brain Injury | Made by Mimi Designs

After a 2013 car accident left her with a traumatic brain injury that ended her decades-long career, Debbie Slavkin found her way back through beads, color, and creativity. In this episode of F5 Collective Presents: Women in Business, Debbie shares how jewelry making became her medicine — and how she built Made by Mimi Designs on her own terms.In this episode, Debbie shares:✨ The spark: the beads she couldn't put down — and 1,000 pieces later✨ Building a craft around a brain injury — finding a way that worked for her✨ Why it's "Made by Mimi" — the grandson who couldn't say "Grand Debbie"✨ Creativity as healing after traumatic brain injury✨ Self-advocacy and being believed when "you look fine"✨ Bootstrapping as a solo founder — investor, funder, and maker all in one✨ The honest reality of selling handmade in a tough economy✨ Giving back through The Miracle Project and music education nonprofits✨ Protecting the passion so the business never becomes "just a job"✨ Refusing to settle for "stable" on her mental health journey✨ Her Rapid Five: trust your gut, grandkids, and the travel bugWhether you're a maker, a solo founder, or someone rebuilding after a hard season, Debbie's story is proof that the thing that heals you can also be the thing you build.About Debbie Slavkin: Debbie Slavkin is the founder and designer behind Made by Mimi Designs, a handmade jewelry brand born out of healing. Known as "Mimi" to her five grandchildren, she designs one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, earrings, glasses chains, and cell phone straps from her closet workshop in Playa Vista, California — and gives back to nonprofits that support kids through the arts.🔗 Shop Made by Mimi Designs: https://madebymimidesigns.com/The growth engine for women who mean business.http://www.f5collective.com0:00 The Beads That Hooked Her0:38 Welcome to F5 Collective Presents1:29 Growing Up & Heading to USC1:59 A Career in TV & Journalism2:34 Selling Television Around the World3:01 Producing the College Emmys3:16 The Accident That Changed Everything4:58 Discovering Jewelry Making6:51 1,000 Pieces & Counting7:10 What She Makes9:14 Cathartic by Design: Mimi's Workshop10:15 Turning a Passion Into a Business10:40 Building the Website With Family11:44 When the Numbers Stop Making Sense14:21 Music Education & Global Classrooms18:20 Why Small Donations Matter18:48 Scaling a Creative Business19:15 Word of Mouth & Custom Work20:11 The Grandkids' Holiday Boutique21:14 A $25 Necklace Isn't Discretionary22:28 Revamping the Website & SEO23:41 Bootstrapping: Investor, Funder, Maker24:25 The Story Behind "Mimi"25:50 Collections & Custom Designs28:03 Learning to Sell Herself28:29 Creativity & Emotional Well-Being29:54 "I Was a Lousy Student"32:16 Why Arts Education Matters32:55 What's Next for Made by Mimi34:43 Inside the Handmade Maker World37:48 Passion vs. Job38:49 Mental Health Support39:46 Self-Advocacy: "Because I Look Fine"41:05 "Stable Isn't Enough"41:33 Healing Isn't One-and-Done42:07 Helping Others to Heal Herself42:53 Final Thoughts43:33 Create for the Passion, Not the Business44:19 Business Minute45:06 Rapid Five: Dreams, Grandkids & Joy46:21 Trust Your Gut47:03 Travel & Final Favorites49:15 Where to Find Made by Mimi Designs