We recently connected with Kelly Albuquerque DaRosa and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

There were  two defining moments for me. I moved to Florida in 2012 with my dreams of pursuing my social work career. In 2014, I decided to go back to school and obtain my second bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. On the first day of class, I found out I was pregnant with my second child. During my pregnancy, we found out we would have a son and he was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Nathan is a true blessing to our family and I have learned so much. From the moment Nathan was born, I was working on creating a Nutrition, Mental Health and Faith-Based Based program called Kelita’s Farm A Sea- Making Self Care Your Health Care. Helping women and parents/ caregivers of children with special needs. Teaching families how to build a healthy relationship with food, preparing nutritious, easy meals and learning what crops to grow in Florida and getting your kids in the kitchen! But as a mother of 2, I had not gone after my dream of creating my business and only wrote about it in my journals and prayed over it. In all honesty, I forgot about who Kelly was and got wrapped up in life. In 2018-2021, I have really let myself go. I experienced health issues. My son was facing health issues too and let’s just say I was a little overwhelmed. Another dream that I had always written about in journals was creating Kelita’s Cork -Imperfectly Perfect ( prior to Kelita’s Boutique), which was a sustainable fashion store of accessories made out of cork. I wanted to bring the beauty of cork and my Portuguese Culture to the United States. My grandparents truly influenced my love for nutrition, agriculture, farming, gardening and the artistry of cork. With Kelita’s Cork it isn’t just a Boutique, it is about embracing one’s authentic-imperfections and all. Every month we do a free giveaway. I want people to feel loved, seen and beautiful. The moment that really opened my eyes was back in October 2021 when I went in for surgery, then the next day I had a blood clot in my lung and it was really bad. I had realized that these 2 dreams, Kelita’s Cork and Kelita’s Farm A Sea, had to be created so that I had a purpose and needed to be there to help others and my family. Kelita’s Farm A Sea will be launched in late 2023 if not by summer. Kelita’s Cork has already been launched and we have actually launched Kelita’s Market on the Farm in January of 2023. Kelita’s Market is a market with a purpose. We want to bring faith, family and the community together. Support local small businesses and each month we have a cause in which all raffle contributions and donations go towards helping that person or cause. I have decided to launch our first market in honor of 3 beautiful people who gained their wings in 2022 and 2023. My grandparents, Pieada and Joaquim Gaudencio and my cousin, Tony Albuquerque Jr. In January, we were able to honor our family  members and help a family. February contributions went towards helping the family of a fallen police officer in Martin County and March contributions will go towards supporting the amazing Treasure Coast Down Syndrome Awareness Group. My dream is each month to grow, support small local businesses and give back to our community.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I stopped listening to the noise and began listening and reaching for the girl inside. The girl that had dreams. I had to get realistic and creative. I knew I couldn’t work from 9 to 5 because I had tried before. I needed to be available to care for my children, especially my son. Believe me, I have had many bumps in the road, but I truly feel that Kelita’s Cork, Kelita’s Market on the Farm and Kelita’s Farm A Sea will and can help others and, if I am being honest, have helped me. Helped me in the way of finding myself again, showing my daughter she too can go after her dreams and help others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had been working with a company for a year that I believed was reputable in creating Kelita’s Cork ( previously Kelita’s Boutique) and Kelita’s Farm A Sea. This company not only stole my domain but destroyed both websites and scammed me for $11,000, which I do not have. I worked at all these different markets trying to build my name and brand. I launched my own line in November 2022, which was when I found out I was scammed. I lost both websites and had to change my name to Kelita’s Cork. I could have let that horrible experience defeat me.Instead,  after being heart broken, I picked myself up and kept going . In late January of 2023, we launched our own new collection on our new website and started out our own market. I am still working towards launching Kelita’s Farm A Sea in the near future. You can never let anyone steal or blow out the fire in your heart and destroy your dreams. Sometimes, through the brokenness, your true light shines through.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I’m myself, imperfections and all. I am passionate about the benefits and beauty of Cork and God’s vision for KELITA’S Cork, Kelita’s Market and Kelita’s Farm A Sea. I believe in treating people the way I would like to be treated.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kelitascork.com
• Instagram: Kelita’s Cork, Kelita’s Market, Kelita’s Farm A Sea
• Facebook: Kelita’s Cork , Kelita’s Market
• Twitter: Kelita’s Cork
• Youtube: Kelita’s Channel
• Other: GOOGLE Kelita’s Cork

Image Credits
Photos By Hanashi Captures LLC Courtney Lynn Photography Website Design Tovo Design Manufacture Artelusa