Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Parrott.
Hi Craig, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up exploring the hills of Kentucky and was lucky enough to spend 13 years climbing the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. As an eighth-grade science teacher, I have spent the last 20 years getting kids excited about the natural world. Surprisingly, I didn’t start collecting minerals until 2019, when a friend at a Phish concert advised me to make a pilgrimage to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. I was instantly hooked! That was the year I started my business selling quality crystals, gems and opals. It was also the year a honeymoon trip to Australia turned into a crash course in opal carving. As a grateful recovering addict with six years of sobriety, I’ve seen a few obsessions take hold in my life, only to fizzle out. Fortunately, my love of rocks, of which my birth name originates, has only grown stronger! I love the joy the best stones bring to people and the endless rabbit hole of knowledge that brings all of us to a deeper connection to the Earth, our communities and our inner selves.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Getting to where I am hasn’t always been easy. When I started, I knew very little about minerals and nothing about starting a small business. I began voraciously researching, creating accounts on eBay, Etsy, Mercari and started an Instagram page. I struggled to find my niche, a customer base and following. There are a lot of other sellers in the mineral world, and it took time to find ways to differentiate myself and create something unique. It is also a constant struggle to find a balance between my day job, being an attentive husband, and growing a small business. Increasingly, this adventure has become more fun and inspiring for me. I’ve met many fascinating people in the mineral community who have encouraged me to pursue my passion.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the heart of Rockawilliam Minerals are the stones. I have been lucky enough to meet phenomenal importers of the finest crystals and opals on Earth. My quest is to curate a collection that represents the very best material for our customers’ budgets. I build personal relationships with my clients and then tailor acquisitions to their interests and styles.
I also carve and polish most of the opals we sell and have a network of local jewelers that create custom jewelry specifically to our customers’ specifications. There seems to always be a new project or collaboration around the corner.
This creative process also extends to photography and display. Living in Solana Beach, I frequently take photos of my stones on the bluffs overlooking the ocean. Capturing images of the materials set in this spectacular scenery brings out their natural beauty. Along with seeing the faces of our clients when they receive a new piece, knowing people enjoy my images just as much keeps me motivated to continue creating.
I have endless enthusiasm for sharing the beauty of our planet with others. The pandemic has been difficult for all of us, and it has been a great joy to finally be back together at local gem shows. Seeing someone light up when they learn something new, or lose themselves looking deep into a crystal continues to inspire me to do more.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Learn from those who came before you. Find other makers, creatives and entrepreneurs who are doing extraordinary things and follow their advice. I am eternally grateful to the guidance I received from these people early on. They told me it wasn’t going to be easy, but there is always room for motivated people. Build strong relationships with them and your customers. Ask questions and learn more about your clients so you will be able to better meet their needs. Don’t overextend yourself. This goes for time, money and mental energy. It is easy to get overwhelmed, but finding balance in my life is very important to me. Keep it simple. Do one thing well and do it with heart. Put your own personality and interests into your work. It’s a process. Enjoy the journey, and don’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Email: parrottc13@gmail.com
- Website: rockawilliam.com
- Instagram: @rock_a_william
- Facebook: @rock_a_william
