Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Claveria.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My life began in San Pablo City, Philippines, where I lived until I was 5-6 years old, before moving to the U.S. My family lived in Las Vegas before settling down in Boynton Beach, Florida, where I was raised for most of my life. I attended and graduated from college in South Florida at FAU in Boca Raton, Florida. In 2015, I craved change and planted myself in Orlando. Though my time here hasn’t been the best, I’m finally just now embracing the City Beautiful and all its quirks. As cliche as it may sound, many life-changing lessons have been learned since my move up until now. This is where I learned to build and rebuild my life from the bottom and the place where I picked up the pieces one too many times.
All the trials and triumphs I’ve encountered during the past few years have no doubt blossomed me into the person I am today. 2019 was a hell of a year for me and as wild as 2020 was as a whole, it was the most monumental year for my personal growth. I reached many milestones -I took control of my mental health and learned how to overcome and cope with my depression, PTSD, and anxiety from the previous year, put more energy into my lifestyle blog to bring it to a new level and worked hard to practice and perfect the skills that eventually landed me a Marketing role, in which I am currently in now. My whole 2020 experience (being unemployed for seven months, being exposed to Covid & testing positive the day before Thanksgiving, and going through financial struggles) only sparked my drive and motivation. These factors only fueled my passion and propelled me into launching my business – Trinket Traces, LLC, on December 15th, 2020. It has always been my dream to own a business but I would’ve never imagined this recent and only two months after turning the BIG 3-0. With my resilience, faith, and determination, I have no doubt that 2021 will open more doors and opportunities and I’m excited to see how far I’m able to go and how much more I can achieve in the upcoming year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We’ve encountered countless bumps while growing up, but my loving parents made endless sacrifices to ensure my two siblings and I were well nurtured throughout the years. It wasn’t until December of 2018 when my whole life drastically changed. On December 20, 2018, I rushed to the ER, only to find out that I was going through an ectopic pregnancy, which could’ve ended my life tragically. The aftermath and lasting effects of that day took a HUGE toll on my mental and physical health… I felt lost, beyond broken and I didn’t want to live. My depression was much deeper than anyone understood and even with support from my loved ones, I still felt alone. During this time, I also dealt with financial struggles along the way and being in toxic environments, moving from place to place like some nomad. In 2020, I FINALLY found a glimmer of light that led me to better times. Although these challenging times were extremely difficult to overcome, I’m grateful to have survived such experiences that influenced the person I am today.
We’ve been impressed with Trinket Traces, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Trinket Traces, LLC brings one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted pieces for those looking to express their individuality through delicate trinkets. Each unique piece is designed to fit your mood to wear as an everyday piece or for those special moments. Jewelry has been a piece of accessory that I always dabbled with for as long as I can remember. One of my most treasured trinkets dates back to when I was just a young girl, a gold adjustable flower ring was given to me by my parents. It wasn’t until these recent years after my favorite brand closed down, that my passion for jewelry sparked an idea in my mind. Creating my own jewelry brand and building a place where I can express my creativity and skill set while empowering individuals has always been a dream of mine. My goal was to create a brand that inspired people to embrace the life they lived while showcasing their authenticity and individuality through something as little as jewelry. Each piece has been thoughtfully designed and hand-crafted to share the little traces of my trials, triumph, and everything in between. Let the trinket you choose to be a reminder of your truth & story.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
It’s only been a month since I launched, but if I had to say, one lesson that I could apply to support the success of my business, is to stay resilient. I can only imagine how many roadblocks and mishaps I’ve yet to face, but I know as long as I keep being consistent and continue to bounce back and push forward, things can and will work out in my favor.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@trinkettraces.com
- Website: trinkettraces.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trinkettraces
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinkettraces
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/trinkettraces
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