We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Beatriz Duron . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Beatriz below.
Beatriz, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my parents. Growing up we didn’t have much, actually we didn’t have anything. We were always living in small rooms, in someone’s living room, etc. My parents being so young, in a country that wasn’t theirs, they didn’t speak the language, so they had minimal job opportunities. Despite all of that, they always found a way to make every situation an adventure. They would build a fort out of blankets, things to that nature that would make it fun, and it was to a 6 year old. They taught me how to view things from a different perspective, and that has helped me overcome difficult situations and stay positive. Everything that I do, I view it as a new chapter, I remain focused and I see it through.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
In the past 10 months I have dedicated night and day in building up my brick and mortar business. Hi, my name is Beatriz Duron, Co-Owner of Amethyst Treasures LLC, located within Westfield Plaza Bonita.
My dream of becoming a shop owner came true. I am sitting here in my store as I write this article, and I still can’t believe this is my life now. A year ago I was doing something completely different, I am a Clinical Massage Therapist by trade with over 20 years of experience, I lived for my profession. I had an accident that caused me to change careers. I was devastated when the Doctor told me I couldn’t do it anymore. I was left with this lingering feeling of loss. I had a side passion, a hobby if you will. This “hobby” was taking wind on its own. On my spare time to decompress from my day to day tasks, I would sit and let my artistic side come out. If I wasn’t making jewelry one night, I would be playing with paper, or painting furniture. It would all depend on my mood. For all those artistic people reading, you know that having a restless mind, means that I have way to many things accumulating at home. So I started selling my creations in street fairs, craft shows, etc. Pandemic hit and my now small business, took a turn. Instead of going to crafts shows, I started renting spaces at consignment shops. I am an overachiever, and naturally at one point I had my items in six different locations. It was too much to say the least. So I started looking for other alternatives, like an entire space for myself, which was out of the question and impossible on my own.
Flash forward to now, I ended up getting an amazing business Partner, and with the help of my beautiful Husband, my parents and friends, I finally have a store of my own!
Amethyst Treasures Crystals and Gifts, is a blend of my passion for crystals and all the fun items that I would like to receive, sprinkled with a side of plants.
We also offer jewelry repairs and custom designs. We have a Jeweler in house (my Hubby), he works with sterling, gold and platinum, as well as with a variety of semiprecious stones.
Another service we will be providing are Jewelry Classes, Make n Takes, and Sound Alignment Healing Demos.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three unconventional qualities that have helped me throughout my journey, have been: stubbornness, pride, and consistency. Not what most people would consider “quality” per say, however being as stubborn as I am, that has been helpful when I want to give up. Let me explain. In the past 10 months of having my brick and mortar, due to extraordinary circumstances Mall management has asked us to move twice, therefore we’ve had to move and create a new layout three times now. Yes it has been difficult, but my stubbornness has gotten me through the moves, and I take such pride in my work, that every time we have to do a new store layout, I feel it has improved. Consistency on how we treat our customers, and on the quality of the products we source, well that has improved as well, but at the same time we are staying true to our brand. My advice to those that are starting out or are thinking of opening their own brick and mortar, is simply don’t give up on your dream. It is hard work, and no play, but if you like what your doing, the hours that you spend tagging, merchandising, cleaning, go fast. Always look for things that you can improve, listen to your customers, they will let you know what they like and what they want to see. But most importantly stay true to your self and your brand.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I would be lying if I said “I’ve done all the work”, because I’ve had an entire team of wonderful people that have helped me achieve my dream of becoming a shop owner. My wonderful Husband has been here all the time, from helping me move to helping me avoid a meltdown. My amazing business partner, without him I wouldn’t be where I am at, my family that has given me words of advice, and a shoulder to cry on. And my friends that have been a constant support, by helping me merchandise, tag and do all the physical work.
There has been a second group of outstanding people that have helped me with my vision of where I want my brand to be. They are a group of talented local crafters, that I call my Artisans.
I’ve been blessed to find such talented Artisans in my area, that have been willing to help me develop my own staple products in such short period of time. I have a handmade organic line of candles, and linen sprays, handmade pottery, crocheted items, soaps, succulent and flower arrangements. Part of our brand, is to source products locally, and to support small businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amethysttreasuresgifts.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amethysttreasures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amethysttreasures
- Other: TikTok: @amethysttreasures
