The co-designers of Buddha Mama have a unique morning ritual: the mother-daughter team begins each day by setting an intention, playing music to create a mood, and expressing gratitude for the jewelry they are about to create.
Some mornings, Nancy Badia and her daughter Dakota collaborate on a new design; on others, they work independently, sketching ideas. Occasionally, they meet with Jainaba Jaye, Buddha Mama's office manager and one of Dakota's oldest friends. Nancy describes her work hours with Dakota and their professional harmony as "magical."
The Badias' approach to their business is deeply spiritual, drawing on their family’s commitment to Buddhism and a philosophy of giving back. Nancy and Dakota work, play, and pray together, donating a portion of their brand’s profits to causes they care about, including Tibet House and Kristi House.
Nancy founded Buddha Mama in 2008, and Dakota joined two years later. "I went straight from college to Buddha Mama, and we both learned how to run a jewelry business together," Dakota says. "We learned everything together—from designing to buying stones to manufacturing."
Many of Buddha Mama’s handmade pieces are inspired by the traditions of Nancy’s Buddhist practice. "We each bring our own vibe to a design concept, but our perspectives must come together so that the final designs always work well as a collection," Dakota adds. "We get along very well and have a clear vision for the brand."
Buddha Mama, based in Miami, was born from Nancy’s lifelong passion for jewelry. As a self-proclaimed hippie, Nancy recalls layering as many pieces of jewelry as she could, "having a lot of fun with jewels." This love of adornment ultimately paved the way for her future as a jewelry designer.
Nancy was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, to a Norwegian father and a German mother, and moved to Minnesota at age nine with her parents, who practiced Buddhism. Years later, seeking a warmer climate, she attended the University of Miami, where she graduated with a degree in business management in 1982.
She met her husband Joseph in Miami and worked at his family's spice business during the 1980s. Nancy did everything there—from bottling and hand-packing boxes to accounting. After having three daughters, Nancy decided to work part-time. At home, she would string mala beads into necklaces and bracelets to be sold as fundraisers for her local Buddhist center in Coconut Grove.
Eventually, Nancy began making special pieces for friends, which led her to seek more materials. She started attending trade shows and traveling internationally to places like Thailand, falling in love with the jewelry industry in the process.
The brand’s jewelry is primarily crafted from 20k gold and incorporates natural diamonds as well as colored gemstones.
Like her mother, Dakota also studied business management in college but ultimately decided to leave school to work alongside Nancy at Buddha Mama. Dakota had held a variety of jobs since high school, including working at a vintage clothing and costume shop called Miami Twice. "I started part-time at Buddha Mama, but I got hooked and couldn’t wait to start designing," Dakota recalls. "The creative side of jewelry is so fun and endless."
Dakota’s philosophy on jewelry is simple: "I want to create pieces that make you feel good. Whether it’s a chain, hoops, or layers upon layers, jewelry can transform your mood and your look."
Nancy’s mission aligns perfectly with Dakota’s: to create joyful, collectible pieces rooted in her beliefs. "Our tagline is that our jewelry is designed 'with intention for one's individual expression,' and we are deeply connected to that philosophy," Nancy says.