Craig P shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Craig, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of being mentored by the incredible Jeff Ching. Jeff cut his first stone in 1962 and has since built a lifelong career in gemstones and custom jewelry. His business mindset and encyclopedic knowledge of stones and metals have been a gift to learn from. He often reminds me that true abundance comes from generosity, a lesson that has strengthened not only my business but also my relationships with my wife and my middle school students. Through his guidance, I continue to be inspired to grow both in business and in mindset.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Craig, and I’m the heart and energy behind Rockawilliam Minerals. I started out selling gem crystals like tourmaline, tanzanite, aquamarine, Brandberg amethyst, and Australian opal. Over the last few years, I’ve expanded into fine gemstones, rare cabochons, and other unique stones for custom jewelry.
I’m often set up at some of the best gem shows in Southern California. I love talking with people at my booth, whether it’s sharing the story of where a stone came from, trading stories about mining trips, or helping someone pick just the right piece. People often tell me my stones are some of the best they’ve seen, which means a lot to me.
What I really excites me is tracking down material that isn’t being mined anymore. There’s something special about holding a piece of Earth’s beauty that few people ever get to see, and then sharing it with others. Just like with my middle school students, I love seeing that spark when people connect with the Earth and with each other.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
For the last 30 years, I’ve been traveling the country to see Phish concerts. Each show feels like its own little world, with a traveling circus of vendors selling just about everything under the sun. I remember looking around and thinking, what if I stepped away from teaching and tried making a living on the road, surrounded by music and community?
Seeing some of my friends carve out a life for themselves in that world made me rethink what was possible. It shifted my perspective on how someone could build a life and planted the seed motivated me to start my own business from scratch.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a time a couple of years ago when I almost gave up. Sales had slowed, and it felt like all my hard work wasn’t leading anywhere. That’s when my mentor Jeff stepped in. He helped me shift not only the material I was selling, but more importantly, my mindset towards my business. Now I focus less on chasing results and more on the journey: educating myself, learning what my customers really want, and trusting the universe to take care of the rest.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I learned a long time ago that life is much easier when I’m the same person everywhere I go. Whether I’m teaching my students, spending time with my wife, or selling rocks, it feels best to just be myself, no apologies needed.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired from my day job teaching middle school science, I’d have a lot more time to do gems, rocks, and minerals! But if I retired from the rock game, I’d probably be 6 feet under. My clients would definitely miss my enthusiasm, curiosity, and the family we continue to build together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rockawilliam.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rock_a_william?igsh=MXRyMXVzNHdqcWw5NA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: @rock_a_william
- Youtube: @rockawilliam
Image Credits
All are mine!
