Hampton Road-Katie Cote's small business may be local, but it also has global connections.

Cote's company, While Waiting, worked with a Haitian woman to make handmade jewelry from beads made from recycled paper and cardboard.

Items include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, wine accessories and hair accessories. Although some materials were newly purchased, most of them were donated, given away or reused.

While Cote was waiting to adopt her daughter, she was doing knitting projects and selling these projects at Etsy and various handicraft fairs, so the name appeared in the waiting.

When a friend asked Cote if he could help her Haitian friend sell her beads, Cote started a new business.

Although Cote and Eveline Brevil Pierre, who lives in Haiti, never met, the two found out they were connected. Kurt is the priest's daughter, and Pierre's husband is the priest.

Cote buys the beads Pierre sent from Haiti and sells them in her online store and various local markets and events.

"These beads are so colorful and so interesting, they just inspired their own work," Cot said.

Each unique and colorful work is made of multiple materials.

"I recycle a lot of old jewelry. I also recycle a lot of boxes we use in our own homes, and I use them to make earring cards and hair accessories," she said. "It allows me to provide things at reasonable prices."

People who buy Cote products are also supporting a global cause. 10% of all store sales are used to support HaitiGO, an organization in Haiti that supports orphans, develops church partnerships and community care.

A single mom who recently lived in Hampton, Cote's business now supports her family. From making jewelry, to operating social media, to selling her items, Cote does it herself.

Although she has participated in different farmers' markets and events in the area, including Hampton, Norfolk and Yorktown, Cote hopes to find more boutiques and possibly wholesale at some point.

Cote said that she likes her business not only for her own benefit.

"It is important for me to be able to support other women," she said.

Visit the Cote's While Waiting store online.

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