We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rebecca Lubitsky a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission with Grounded Essence is to connect people with consciously sourced, high-quality minerals by actively seeking out local miners to support. I also travel all over the country to gem shows each year, hand-selecting beautiful pieces from around the world, again directly from the source and as close to the source as possible. This is important to me because I want people to not only know exactly what they’re receiving and where it’s from, and whenever possible, I also want them to know the person who did all the hard work bringing these precious stones to the Earth and ensuring they were properly compensated for their efforts.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

In 2015, after waking up paralyzed from a rare disease known as Transverse Myelitis, I began making jewelry to earn extra money while in college. This endeavor was a way to support my lifestyle during a challenging time. After a hiatus from jewelry making to seek clarity regarding my diagnosis, I found renewed inspiration following my move to Colorado. In 2018, I began creating jewelry and handcrafted items again, shifting my focus to combine my love of minerals with jewelry design. This exploration led me to wire-wrapped jewelry and to my current business partner, Michael, who guided me in connecting with miners and pursuing the fine mineral business I now operate.

Today, I offer a diverse selection of fine mineral specimens and crystals sourced from around the globe. My collection ranges from large statement pieces for the home to pocket-sized crystals, with a special emphasis on curating fine minerals for collectors’ cabinets. I am committed to supporting local miners and sourcing directly, traveling extensively to build long-term relationships within the industry. Alongside this, I continue to create handcrafted jewelry in various styles and collaborate with other jewelers. What sets my business apart is my dedication to the entire process; I’m not merely manufacturing items on a large scale. Each creation is intentional, reflecting my commitment to being as ethical as possible in sourcing and ensuring the well-being of everyone involved. I strive to ensure that my clients never question the authenticity of my minerals or their origins. Each specimen comes with tags detailing what it is and where it was sourced, often with direct connections to the miners themselves. Even in a field as precious as crystals, dishonesty can be prevalent, so I am currently completing my graduate gemology degree through GIA to deepen my expertise. My customers can trust that they are shopping with integrity, receiving top-quality minerals at fair prices.

What I take the most pride in is the tenacity it required to reach this point. I never anticipated that my passion for minerals would lead me this far. After my paralysis, I was uncertain about my future. I certainly didn’t expect my jewelry-making hobby to evolve into a full-fledged business, which has included operating two crystal stores—one online and another in-person with my partner for three years. We recently closed the storefront in March 2024 to pursue more vending opportunities at gem shows and to travel. My passion for both minerals and entrepreneurship drives me. I relish the long nights spent packing orders and making a positive impact on people’s lives. I look forward to connecting with my clients weekly through live sales, curating collections that suit their desires, and enjoying the thrill of searching for minerals at gem shows. It’s incredibly fulfilling to connect people with these remarkable pieces.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2015, when I woke up paralyzed, I faced the most significant redirection of my life. Heading into college, I had expected to finish my degree, possibly attend law school, and live a conventional life. But after the paralysis, everything changed. Initially diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and told I would fully recover, I soon realized my recovery was not progressing as I had been led to believe. After two years of misdiagnoses, I dropped out of school and eventually moved to Colorado. There, I reconnected with my lifelong passion for minerals and was finally diagnosed correctly with Transverse Myelitis.

Moving to Colorado was a turning point—without it, I might never have met my business partner, Michael, who has been instrumental in helping me source minerals and jewelry, introducing me to shows, and teaching me the ins and outs of the business. Together, we built a beautiful store and learned invaluable lessons. Today, I’m pursuing my graduate gemology degree through GIA, while continuing to vend in person and source a diverse range of minerals and jewelry from around the world for my online clients.

Though the physical challenges of my disability are ongoing, I often reflect on how this injury, in some ways, led me to a business I am deeply passionate about. While the “what ifs” of not having experienced this change can still linger, I’ve found immense satisfaction in all that I’ve built, despite the hardships.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

This started as a side hustle to earn extra money while in school and as a way to escape my 9-to-5 when I first moved to Colorado, providing a creative outlet. Thanks to the support of my friends who spread the word early on, the power of social media through consistent posting, and networking within the business at every event and show I could physically attend, I believe these factors have been key to scaling my business to where it is today. I’ve learned countless lessons and refined many of my processes—from listings and shipping to vending at gem shows. It’s incredible to see how much progress has been made. Some of the key milestones include building an amazing live sale community on Instagram, opening our storefront, and vending at the Denver Gem Show each year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://groundedessences.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grounded.essence/

Image Credits

Grounded Essence