{"title":"Meet the Founder","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I Started Divine Pearls Boutique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDivine Pearls Boutique was born from a journey of faith, perseverance, creativity, and new beginnings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs a War Disabled Veteran, I spent more than 20 years unable to work because of my disability. Although that season of my life presented many challenges, it did not stop me from serving others, pursuing my education, or finding ways to use the gifts God had given me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring those years, I remained actively involved in volunteer work through my church and ministry. I earned my \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePh.D. in Theology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and gained valuable experience serving others through my work as a Pastor and Missionary. My faith and ministry have always been an important part of who I am and have given me the opportunity to encourage, support, and serve people from many different walks of life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLast year, I received approval from the VA to return to work. After being away from the traditional workforce for more than two decades, I was excited to begin a new chapter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy original goal was to find a career where I could use my education and experience in theology. However, I soon discovered that pursuing professional chaplaincy required additional licensing, training, and credentials—a process that takes considerable time and can also be expensive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than allowing that process to put my dreams on hold, I decided to explore another part of myself that has always brought me happiness and peace: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emy creativity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI began creating and selling handmade items such as pens, keychains, bracelets, and other crafts. I have always loved designing and transforming simple materials into something beautiful and special.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen, while searching for materials for my creations, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI discovered the world of pearls.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSomething about them immediately captured my attention.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI began researching pearls, oysters, jewelry, and the experience of LIVE pearl reveals. I loved the excitement of opening an oyster without knowing exactly what beautiful treasure would be waiting inside. But I also saw an opportunity to take that experience and combine it with something uniquely my own—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emy imagination, creativity, and passion for designing beautiful pieces of jewelry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat vision became \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDivine Pearls Boutique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor me, this business is about much more than selling pearls and jewelry. It is about creating an experience. I want my customers to experience the excitement of discovering their own pearl and then have the opportunity to transform that pearl into a beautiful piece they can wear, treasure, or give to someone they love.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDivine Pearls Boutique also represents something deeply personal to me: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efreedom and a new beginning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilding my own business gives me the opportunity to help provide for my family while creating a career that can work alongside my disability, my ministry, and my calling as a Missionary. Because my ministry involves travel and serving others, entrepreneurship gives me the flexibility to continue doing the things that are closest to my heart.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI don't believe I have to choose between my faith, my ministry, my family, and my creativity. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDivine Pearls Boutique gives me a way to bring those different parts of my life together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy ministry allows me to serve others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy creativity gives me peace.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy business allows me to build something of my own and provide for my family.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd my faith gives purpose to it all.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps that is also why pearls became so meaningful to me. A pearl begins hidden away, and with time, something beautiful emerges. In many ways, this business represents a new season of my own life—a reminder that after difficult seasons, there can still be \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enew opportunities, new dreams, and beautiful new beginnings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI am incredibly passionate about what I am building, and I hope that passion can be felt in every LIVE reveal, every pearl discovered, and every piece I create.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThank you for supporting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDivine Pearls Boutique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and for becoming a part of this journey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery Pearl Holds a Story. Discover Yours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e— \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounder, Divine Pearls Boutique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.divinepearlsboutique.com\/collections\/meet-the-founder.oembed","provider":"Divine Pearls Boutique ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}