Rising Stars: Meet Zuzia Thorpe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zuzia Thorpe.

Hi Zuzia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I grew up in communist Poland, under Russian subordination. No western TV, candy, etc. I spent a great childhood outside, watching nature documentaries, dreaming of exotic adventures. I had to work a lot during high school and college and spent any extra $ on travels around Europe, visiting small Greek islands, venturing through Vienna, Talin, Paris, Verona, Berlin, Venice, and more!

Then took a year off in college, spent a summer working 70+hrs per week in London to make enough for a flight ticket to Australia, and off I went with my two best friends to live an endless summer in the OZ land for a year.
That led to backpacking to over 40 countries, riding chicken buses, days on top of rice trucks, staying with Tibetan refugees, hostels, native hosts, eating cheap (and amazing!) street food.

I was chased by an orangutan in the Indonesian jungle, saw wild rhinos, camped with the aboriginal tribe, rode camels on a desert, dove in the most beautiful reefs, rode an elephant through the Nepalese jungle, got lost in the Himalayas, rode the longest waves in the world, and so much more!

Met my husband in NY, settled in Atlantic Beach (long story!), and live here with our two kids. Several businesses later, I’m finally where I want to be with my life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No! I love challenges, always went against the current, had to work twice as much for everything I built. Grew up in a country that did not offer many opportunities (except for free high education, which is huge).

I had to be really determined and well, different than everyone else, to try and leave the back then grey, dull existence and a common path everyone was following.

Unsuccessful businesses, lost battles along the way made me stronger and more confident.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I used to work in TV production, Public Relations, Ad Agencies, then started my own business- Bay & Bee. Eight years of amazing people, building incredible community and connections. Now I’m back to providing marketing strategy and running digital marketing for firms. I also organize yoga & surf retreats in Central and South America.

Every now and then I work as an interpreter for court and medical establishments. And my newest endeavor: Healing Baltic Amber Jewelry! I source and sell Baltic amber necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and pendants at various local events, online, as well as regular farmers markets (RAM, AB farmers market, and St. Augustine Pier Market).

I’m so lucky to spread the healing properties of Baltic Amber (40 million years old resin from the Baltic Sea!). I also organize donation drives and events for various refugee organizations around Jax- people and organizations are so used to dropping off bags and boxes of clothing, toys, and $ donations, you can see them often right by my garage.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I adore our beaches! Literally spend at least half-hour every single day, all year round, on it: whether surfing, playing with my family or friends, swimming, running, walking, doing yoga. Feel so lucky to be able to see gorgeous sunrise and sunset on the same day on some days!

Love the walking/biking options all around AB- we really get by without a car so much!

Pricing:

• Healing Baltic Amber Jewelry bracelets: 1 for $18, 2 for $30, 3 for $42
• Necklaces for adults, kids, and babies $24-$34
• Sterling Silver and Baltic Amber rings: $25-$45
• Beautiful pure Baltic Amber pendants $24-$45 (some have a real, 40 million year old insect inside!)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healing_baltic_amber_jewelry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingbalticamber/