Meet Eriel Stirrup | Owner, The Earring Effect

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

Hi Eriel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been adamant about multiple streams of income, but it’s equally important for me to spend my time doing things that bloom my passions. Over the years, I really focused on things that I enjoyed and collecting statement earrings has consistently interested me. It started with my grandmother’s collection of earrings. Even as a small girl I would go through her jewelry and try on her earrings. As soon as I was old enough to, I started searching thrift stores and boutiques for my own. After her passing, I inherited her entire collection. It’s still one of my most cherished possessions.

So, when I began planning for my own business, it was the perfect avenue for me. I spent a significant time while traveling and in my own city searching for beautiful earrings. I wanted to make that search easy for millennial women like me. So, the Earring Effect was born to create a space for women to have access to high quality earrings at an affordable price.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I never plan to go back to work. I started my career working for the federal government and after 6 years, I was burnt out. Being a millennial has been a blessing because my generation encourages entrepreneurship in a way that my parents’ and grandparents’ did not. I left my job in December of 2020 with a plan to take a year off to focus on my mental health.

What I learned during this time is that my freedom is more important to me than any benefits a traditional job can offer. I now am a full time entrepreneur, growing my own business and partnering with my sister to grow her business, Whitehouse Law Group.

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.
I’m a foodie. Miami is a melting pot, and because I enjoy traveling the world, when I’m at home, its important for me to take my friends and family to places that remind me of some of the places I’ve been. Here are some of my favorite restaurants:

– Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
– Lil Green House Grill (Soulfood)
– Jamaica House
– Chica Miami (Latin)
– Jimmy’s East Side Diner (American Diner)
– Phuc Yea (Vietnamese)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My grandmother. Mary “Shake” Baker Dawkins. I take her essence with me daily. My grandmother was the most stylish, bold, and fierce woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was truly one of a kind. On a purely aesthetic level, she was the ultimate lady. But even at 5 feet tall, she was a giant. Her personality was infectious. She taught me to stand in my individuality and that no matter the cost, being true to myself was most important. I honor her in everything I do.

Website: www.theearringeffect.com

Instagram: @theearringeffect

Facebook: The Earring Effect