Some women build businesses from a carefully considered plan. Others discover them almost by accident, in the quiet spaces between caring for others and finding their way back to themselves.
For Alyssandria, founder and designer of Soula Temple, creativity became exactly that. After welcoming her first child, making jewellery offered a way to reconnect with herself amidst the transformation of new motherhood. What began as a grounding creative practice has since evolved into Soula Temple—a thoughtfully handcrafted jewellery brand inspired by ritual, nature and the beauty of self-expression.
In this conversation, Alyssandria reflects on motherhood, creativity and the ever-evolving journey of womanhood, sharing the lessons she's learning as she weaves together family life, business ownership and the quiet rituals that help her stay connected to herself.
Q: Let's begin with the season you're in right now. What feels most alive for you at the moment—and what feels like it's asking to be let go?
What's most alive for me right now is our new rhythm. Over six months ago, our baby girl arrived safely at home, and our son became a big brother. Alongside that, I've been navigating postpartum (amazingly well this time), allowing Soula Temple to evolve gradually while taking care of our home.
I'm constantly listening to the rhythm of this life and flowing with it as much as I can. My son has truly taught me the lesson of letting go of control—of enjoying life while also maintaining discipline. I think that's why I feel more in tune now as our family has grown… as well as our hobby farm! Haha.
Q: Becoming a mother often reshapes our sense of self in ways we don't anticipate. What parts of yourself have become stronger through motherhood, and what parts have felt harder to hold onto?
I knew from a very young age that life would truly begin once I became a mother. As soon as I birthed my son at home after 35 hours, everything reshaped. Being a mother means you're constantly doing the inner work, if you allow it to move through you. Motherhood has made me a much stronger person.
The hardest thing to let go of has been frustration. I still get overwhelmed at times, and frustration washes over me. I don't get angry at myself for feeling it anymore, but some days are very full-on. I've learnt to simply feel it, then move forward as best I can.
Q: There can be a quiet pressure to be everything to everyone. Have there been moments where you've realised you'd drifted away from yourself? What helped you find your way back?
Oh, countless times! I'm a driven, committed and disciplined person. When I love something—or someone—I'm all in.
The good thing is that I usually notice quite quickly when I've drifted away from myself. When that happens, I make sure I rest. I'm very in tune with my body. Some may call me sensitive, but I honestly see it as a gift.
I need to find rest in the in-between moments—not just for my body, but for my mind and heart too. Movement is also big medicine for me. I love pole fitness and the gym, and they've become such an important part of my life.
Q: Beyond being a mother, partner and business owner, who is Alyssandria when nobody needs anything from her?
I see myself as a quiet observer. I love taking in the details of life and collecting memories. When I'm feeling really alive, I feel like I glow from the inside out, and wisdom just seems to flow through me. I love listening to life's rhythms, and whenever I go against them, I learn pretty quickly that I need to return to nature.
I'm deeply creative, so any form of art feels like medicine. Pole is incredibly empowering for me—it's almost meditative. The same goes for any kind of craft. I've always been creative, just like my mum. If nobody needed anything from me, my days would be filled with pole, surfing, crafting, beading, being naked in the sunlight, and spending time with my animals and family.
Q: Creativity can feel abundant in some seasons and completely inaccessible in others. What does your relationship with creativity look like right now?
Since being pregnant with and birthing my second child, my creative flow has been bursting.
This time, because I'm so committed to it, I also make sure I create space for breaks. Otherwise, I'll just keep going and forget to slow down enough to notice the small moments and details.
When creativity feels low, I get curious. I ask myself what's pulling me away from it, and what my mind and body might be asking for instead.
Q: Are there rituals, habits or small moments in your day that help you feel anchored amidst the demands of life?
Movement is essential.
Journalling, spending time with my animals, and cleaning all help me feel grounded. I actually love cleaning. If the house isn't tidy, everything feels stuck and chaotic, and it's not good for my mind—or anyone else's.
Soaking up the sun and spending time on the land also helps anchor me in the present. I treasure those moments just as much as the time I spend with my family.
Q: Soula Temple feels like an extension of your values and the way you move through the world. What inspired you to create it, and what intention sits at the heart of the brand today?
I have so much gratitude for motherhood because, ultimately, it led me here. Before Soula Temple, I had a business called Somatic Alchemy, where I offered somatics, bodywork, breathwork and Dakini embodiment.
After my son was born, he needed so much from us—as he still does—and returning to that work just wasn't possible. Letting it go was incredibly hard because it was such a big part of me. I realised I needed to create with my hands.
One day, one of my best friends, Cassandra, was making necklaces. She taught me how to crimp, and I was instantly hooked. At first I was experimenting and drawing inspiration from others, but over time I found my own style, and the creative spark has only continued to grow.
What I love most is that Soula Temple doesn't feel separate from motherhood—it exists alongside it. My children are part of the process, and that feels really beautiful. We're not living separate lives. I get to weave it all together.
Q: Motherhood has a way of reshaping not only who we are, but how we express ourselves. For you, creating jewellery became a way of reconnecting with your creativity. Why do you think those small acts of self-expression—whether that's making something with your hands, dressing in a way that feels like you, or simply carving out a quiet ritual—can be so powerful in helping women reconnect with themselves in a new season of life?
Adornment and fashion are both forms of self-expression.
Each of us is unique, just like our fingerprints and our voices. The way we dress reflects who we are in that moment, and we have the freedom to shapeshift as we evolve. How magical is that?
Q: Is there a belief, expectation or story you've had to unlearn in order to create a life that feels more aligned with who you are?
I had to transform my relationship with money. I wanted to build a business, but deep down I didn't trust money. I would crave it, yet push it away because I believed it was somehow bad or evil.
Through a lot of inner work, I realised it wasn't money itself—it was the stories and relational experiences from my past, and ultimately my own sense of self-worth, that needed healing. Once I worked through those deeper beliefs, everything became lighter. I feel less stressed, more confident, and so excited for the beautiful evolution of Soula Temple and our family's life.
Q: As you continue to evolve through each new season of womanhood, motherhood and business, what part of yourself are you most committed to protecting?
My womanhood. Absolutely.
I want to remember that the body is sacred. I don't always have to be busy. I can live seasonally and sustainably.
My values and my family will always come first. I'm learning how to let womanhood, motherhood and business exist together in a beautiful dance. It's something I'm still practising, and I'm open to continuing to learn as I move through each new season.
Photographed by Helen Christine.