We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Justice Shipley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Justice below.

Hi Justice, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

During Covid, I started a fun instagram account to keep me busy. I was blowing up my personal account with crystal related things – so I figured why not start one! One of my favorite things to do is to learn + collect crystals. So, I started taking photos everyday + posting a digital diary of the crystals I owned. I started making friends all over + watching way too many live buying shows. I named the account Justice 4 Gems – a little play on my name. I thought it was fun, catchy + just made sense for me.

It wasn’t hard to name my company because I had come up with a name years before – when I was just a buyer from small business like myself. I feel really lucky to be able to be on the other side of the coin.

Justice, 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 Justice + I’m a huge crystal enthusiast. I’m a mid-twenty year old that loves to travels + is always ready for her next adventure. I’ve been studying crystals for about six years now. Since the very start, it’s been an unending exploration of their beauty + the impact they can have on the body, mind + spirit. Even during my time living abroad, I seemed to always find the nearest crystal shop.

I started Justice 4 Gems as just a small stand at my local market in June 2023. After a successful first show, I went on to do 23 more by the end of the year. In 2024, I want to travel even further + make more connections all over my state. I love in person shows because my favorite way to buy crystals is by getting my hands on them + feeling their energy. Every crystal I do get my hands on, whether that be to keep or sell, is very well loved until it goes to it’s next home. I began selling crystals because I want to wake up + love what I do. I’ve made connections with vendors + other retailers because of my dedication to make my dreams a reality. I spent every free second of my time this summer expanding my business.

I sell crystals of all shapes + sizes. My most popular items are unique carvings, like spiders + flowers. I also make crystal jewelry, such as bracelets + earrings. I love working with crystal grids + doing spell jars. All the crystal grids I resell are handmade in central Illinois + they use copper to amplify their properties. If it has to do with crystals or expanding your spirituality, I’m interested.

To me, Justice 4 Gems is more than a business. It’s a way to connect with others, the earth + a higher state of consciousness.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

In person events are such a great way to make connections with clients + other vendors who may want to do events with you. I try to pick a new city to be in every weekend because I want to share my passion with as many people as possible. I think that even if you have a storefront, doing vendor markets over the warm seasons can be a great way to get your name out there. Even if someone doesn’t buy anything from you that first time meeting, they might follow you + find you at your next event. I just love when people come in + admire my booth as well, it feels really good to see my efforts being noticed.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I moved abroad to teach English in 2021 – to a small city in Spain. I had never been to Spain + my Spanish level wasn’t perfect by any means. I learned that I had to adjust my whole life very quickly. From my eating habits, spending habits + my main way of communication my entire life. It will always be one of the hardest things that I’ve done.

I missed home, had to get creative with my time + began to dive deeper into what I wanted out of my life. I am extremely happy I got to experience such a memorable time but it wasn’t always sunshine + rainbows. Finding housing, learning to like new foods + making friends that don’t speak your main language was extremely difficult. I grew so much during only one year.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: justice4gems
• Facebook: Justice 4 Gems

Image Credits
All photos taken by myself – Justice