Today we’d like to introduce you to Darav Naseem.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Darav. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I have lived in San Diego my whole life but am originally from Kurdistan. Before starting my business, the plan was to finish school and work as an attorney in San Diego following in my father’s footsteps, I worked with a promising company that would allow me to grow in areas I wanted to in my career. Then, I got sick. It was a result of the stress from work that quickly became physical.
The work itself was fine, but the environment was extremely unhealthy. I neglected my health and fell into place. I thought I would never be able to come out of. I found the courage to quit my job and begin the healing process. On my search, I found Reiki (a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that can potentially promote healing). I invested in training to learn to work on my energy and get where I needed to be to heal. I was finally okay and decided that I can share this with others and went through training to become a Reiki Practitioner.
Fast-forward two and half years later, I have worked with many clients to help them use their own power to potentially work through what they need to use their own energetic field. I started to make gemstone jewelry to help me alongside Reiki. My jewelry business started to grow into something bigger than I expected and soon became the center of my business. I now make gemstone pieces along with Middle Eastern Boho inspired jewelry.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the biggest struggles was leaving a stable job to pursue something that I wasn’t even sure would be successful. I didn’t have any money to invest in the business and still struggle at times to expand but have been able to make it work at every turn. Keeping the vision alive is a big part of why I still believe in my company and love what I do.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Darçîn Holistic by Darav story. Tell us more about the business.
My work shows who I am, Elegant Chaos; I don’t think life should be taken seriously but still handled with grace. Along with semi-precious gemstones, I work a lot with coins and tassels that are inspired by my Kurdish Culture. My collections range from delicate everyday pieces to “I have arrived” statement pieces. The business name is Kurdish because I am very connected to my culture and wanted people to see the beauty that comes from it.
My mom and I came up with a business name that I connected with very deeply. My company is called Darçîn Holistic which means Cinnamon. Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a tree. For me, it represents inner sweetness and digging deep within yourself to find that “sweet spot.” I believe we can only truly know ourselves if we dig deep enough. I now sell at two local boutiques called “Simply Local” in North Park and “Blackbird” in La Mesa.
There are many other amazing Jewelry businesses in San Diego, but I think mine stands out because it is heavily tied in with my culture. It is also infused with Reiki which means every piece is cleared of any negative energy and given so much love before it is packaged. I am most proud that I was able to dive into the deep and stay afloat. I am also proud that such a beautiful thing was created because of something dark in my life.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I generally say I am not as lucky as most people because I never win when I enter giveaways or the lottery, but I know now that I am one of the lucky ones.
Things are happening just as they should and what is meant to. I have been fortunate to have people in my life that have helped me grow my business and meet others who genuinely want to help.
Luck comes when you work hard, and I am slowly starting to learn this. It seems that every small decision I make has that ripple effect where my life completely transforms. This is just another one of those steps towards something greater.
Pricing:
- pieces range from under $10 to $40+
Contact Info:
- Email: dholisticbydarav@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dholistic_by_darav/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Darçîn-Holistic-by-Darav-157469138276968/?ref=bookmarks
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