We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kimberly Quiros. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kimberly below.
Kimberly , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Naming a business is definitely a challenge, but for me, the name MyPerlitas felt like it was meant to be. The inspiration came from a pearl necklace my mother designed 10 years ago, our “floating perlita,” which holds deep sentimental value for the women in my family. I knew the name had to include “my” because this is my first business—something deeply personal. But “My Pearl” didn’t feel special enough, so I thought about how, in Colombian culture, we add -ita to words to make them more endearing. That’s how “Perlita” came to life, and adding the “s” made it feel complete, representing all the women who inspire me. My mom and I like to think my grandmother sent the name to me from heaven—it all came together so effortlessly, like it was meant to be. This name reflects my roots, the resilient women in my family, and the love that goes into every piece of our jewelry.
Kimberly , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Kimberly Quiros, a Colombian and Costa Rican international business graduate turned jewelry entrepreneur. My brand, MyPerlitas, was born from a love of timeless pearl jewelry and the rich cultural heritage that defines me. The brand’s story began with a single piece: The Floating Perlita, a necklace my mother designed and gifted me years before MyPerlitas existed. That necklace became the inspiration for a Latina-owned pearl jewelry brand that blends the classic elegance of pearls with a modern twist. Based in NYC, we source all our freshwater pearls from Pereira, Colombia, a nod to my roots and the hardworking women in my family who inspire me daily.
Family is at the heart of everything I do. MyPerlitas is a collective effort, with my family supporting me every step of the way. Our mission is simple: to empower women to feel confident and embrace their individuality, whether they’re wearing a minimal everyday piece or a bold statement design. What sets us apart is the community we’ve built—women connecting in public just because they both wear MyPerlitas pieces is a dream come true. When people think of MyPerlitas, I hope they see us as more than a jewelry brand—we’re a celebration of empowerment, kindness, and standing strong in who you are.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I’ve always believed in acting on an idea when the spark is fresh, so when the concept for MyPerlitas came to me, I decided to dive in immediately. Of course, starting a business is easier said than done, but I told myself I didn’t need to have everything figured out—I could start small. With our first piece, the Floating Perlita, I opened an Etsy shop and tested the waters. While some people advised me to wait and launch a full collection on a proper site, I felt it was meant to grow naturally and at its own pace.
Starting with just a few hundred dollars for inventory, packaging, and setting up the e-shop, I reinvested every bit of profit back into the business. This approach allowed me to fund new designs and drops, slowly growing MyPerlitas into what it is today. I want readers to know that you don’t need a massive amount of capital to start your dream—depending on your business idea, starting small can be the best way to get the ball rolling. Don’t let the fear of needing perfection or a huge investment hold you back. Taking that first small step, whether it’s selling one item or offering one service, can open the door to so much more. For me, reinvesting the profits from my first small drop into the next piece allowed the business to grow organically. It wasn’t about having everything ready from the start; it was about starting and learning as I went. Sometimes, all it takes is that first step to turn your dream into reality.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes, my side hustle has thankfully become my full-time career, and it’s been an incredible journey. I founded MyPerlitas at the beginning of 2021 with a feeling in my heart that this passion project was meant to grow into something much bigger. At the time, I was a recent business school graduate working in corporate America, but I always knew deep down I was meant to be doing something else.
The turning point came in the summer of 2022 when I was laid off during a wave of corporate layoffs. It felt like a clear sign to take MyPerlitas seriously, and I haven’t looked back since. That push gave me the opportunity to fully dedicate myself to the business, putting in the hours and focus it truly deserved—and it changed everything. MyPerlitas began to grow in ways I’d dreamed of, and I realized this was exactly how things were meant to unfold. Everything happens for a reason, and I know this is only the beginning of an even greater journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myperlitas.com
- Instagram: myperlitas
- Other: personal instagram: @kimberlyquiross
