Meet Beryl Oduor: Gemstone Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beryl Oduor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beryl, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Getting a mentor who has been there and done that. I have always had the drive to want to create something I could be proud of. Before Beryl Oduor Designs, I attempted several different entrepreneurial ventures with little to no success. To be honest, I ended up losing money, time and mental bandwidth. I can’t tell you how many courses I bought, books I read & podcasts I listened to, to help me become a successful entrepreneur. They were helpful but I was missing a critical piece of the puzzle: having the right mentor.

There’s a lot of information floating around the internet and it was overwhelming. My mentor helped me declutter my life, streamline my thinking and focus on income producing activity. Getting the right mentor changed the game for me. It saved me time by avoiding unnecessary pitfalls, and I was also able to truly look at where I was at in life, accept it and finally start building. Authentically.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There are several parts to this question so I will break each part down. Please tell us more about your art.  Beryl Oduor Designs is focused on creating gemstone jewelry pieces that makes you feel good. There are a plethora of gemstone jewelry sellers in the market, but I focus on  the intention I put into everything I touch, as well as the quality of crystal selection, handpicking every single stone I use in my work.

The best quality crystals are found in the country they originated from, ensuring the vibrational frequency of the stones are at their highest. I take a lot of pride in sourcing my stones from the original mines in Brazil, Dominican Republic, Central and South Africa, South East Asia and America. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, My personal story sets me apart in many ways, making my ability to present something unique – in a world so saturated with many existing ideas – that much more special. My company was built around making people happy.

The goal has always been to provide meaningful jewelry that brings healing, lifts the spirit and makes you feel good.  I have been a fan of gemstones since I was a little girl in Kenya. The presentation of my work is intended to educate people on the benefits of gemstones, in a way that is easy to digest. My worldly experience has assisted me in that endeavor, and I truly believe my customers are able to feel the energy and thought I put into my work. What you are most proud of or excited about?  I am proud and excited about the life-long connections I make with my clients, who often share their personal journey with me. I am also tremendously proud that over the last 3 years, Beryl Oduor Designs has been able to give back to a school in rural Kenya that was started by my late grandfather.

A portion of the monthly proceeds goes towards paying the teachers and providing amenities for the children, all under the age of 12. We just recently constructed a 7th grade classroom for our first ever 7th graders. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? My journey as an entrepreneur was not easy when I was trying to do everything myself. As soon as I got the right mentor, I was surprised at how simple it became.

Since I’ve really opened up my mind to mentorship, I have found that if you have the right attitude, humility, and you are willing to put in the work, there are a lot of successful people who are willing to offer mentorship, if you ask.  How did I get here professionally? I learned from my mentor how to start a business correctly. This included but is not limited to: Keeping the business simple Watching costs and overhead (Accountability) Learning how to make a profit immediately Maintaining a positive attitude Discipline The right people. I live by the following mantras: Keep the Business Simple: “Start small. Get your product to sell and make a profit, then slowly start investing more in your business. Not a moment before.” Positive Attitude: “Stay positive and don’t indulge in negative thought patterns. My attitude plays a huge part in how well I sell.” Accountability: “Do spreadsheets weekly. Numbers don’t lie. They show you where you’re at and where you need to go.” Discipline: “Say no to activities that may hinder your performance”.

Selling isn’t just about setting up a display. It’s about being mentally switched on with the intention to win. I was willing to miss out on Happy Hour dates and weekend parties in order to be successful. Right People: “Surrounding myself with movers and shakers.” This has made a huge difference in my confidence and my drive. Being around other people who are willing to do what it takes to make their dreams come true is very inspiring. Plus, we all work together to succeed.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? It’s not what you earn that matters, it’s what you keep.  If you push yourself out of your comfort zone a little everyday, you will realize you are more capable than you think. Focus on the basics. The most successful entrepreneurs started small. It’s pointless to spend a lot of money on marketing and appearance out the door, when you can’t sell the product you are trying to promote. Beryl Oduor Designs is more than just a gemstone jewelry company. It’s a woman-led company focused on intentionally raising people’s happy scale (energetic vibration), without compromising on style and class.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What a fun question! I live in St Petersburg, FL and I absolutely love this city! You get the best of both worlds: the bustling downtown city life and 15 minutes in the opposite direction gives you a taste of our glorious beach life. I would recommend a visit to:
1. The Dali Museum. It was remodeled and has incredible exhibits.
2. The Chihuly Collection Museum: amazing glass sculptures. Must visit!
3. Boyd Hill Nature preserves is great for an outdoor exploration or for a morning jog in nature. Prepare to see Alligators as you walk along the trail.
4. Mural Tour: You can explore the beautiful murals created mostly by local artists, all over downtown St Petersburg. The guided tours are informative and lots of fun.
5. Evening Yacht Cruise – Enjoy a delicious dinner and an incredible sunset on a yacht as you sail through Tampa Bay.
6. Helicopter Tours – Take an incredible helicopter tour of Treasure Island or over the skyway bridge. St Petersburg is just as gorgeous to look at from the top.

As for restaurants, I recommend:
1. The Galley – This restaurant has great food, with a local pub atmosphere. It’s a nautical themed, laid-back, casual atmosphere that is suitable for all.
2. Beau’s and Mo’s. – If you love steak, make this restaurant a must visit! It’s a top spot among many locals that is located in Historic Kenwood. It’s described as a “Chicago-style Italian Steakhouse”.
3. Ichicoro ANE – If you love ramen or want to try it for the first time, this is the place to go! It is described as a Japanese-inspired eating and drinking den. Delicious food with a great atmosphere: you can dress up or down.
4. Pin, Wok & Bowl – Truly my favorite Thai restaurant. It’s a small quaint restaurant located on Central Ave with incredible flavors. I am a big fan of their poke bowls.
5. Bavaro’s Pizza – hands down the best pizza place in town. It’s the only restaurant where I have eaten a whole pizza by myself. I love the thin crust. 6. Red Mesa Cantina – A great spot for all things Mexican food. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mentor Chris McGarahan for pushing me to be the best version of myself I could be. His patience, wisdom and knowledge has dramatically changed my life for the better. I would not be here without his guidance.

I would also like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, Florence Oduor and Elias Oduor. Without their support and love, I wouldn’t be here today. Their expansive thinking is the only reason this African girl was able to move to America, go to college and pursue dreams I would have never had access to. They allowed me the space I needed to flourish. I am thankful for my wonderful upbringing and their constant devotion to my success.

Lastly, the book that I run my philosophy on is The Magic of Thinking Big, with 90% of my focus being on Chapter 2: “Cure Yourself of Excusitis, The Failure Disease”. It is a brilliant read and always a great kick in the butt when I need it.

Website: www.beryloduor.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beryloduordesigns
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beryloduordesigns

Image Credits
Image Credits: Beryl Oduor Designs