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Featured Interview: Wendy Bird, Gifts That Lift

December 13, 2007

The following interview was written by Jessica Cryer, Startup Princess writer:

Christmas is less than two weeks away and the pressure is on to find that perfect, meaningful gift. Wish Granted. This post provides information on how to get the most beautiful pearl jewelry at amazing prices. And what’s better than beautiful hand made jewelry? How about knowing each purchase you make helps fund a non-profit organization empowering disadvantaged Filipino mothers.

Today we’re featuring Startup Princess Wendy Bird and her company, Gifts That Lift. It began in 2002 when this mother of 5 decided to start a home-based business selling pearl jewelry. The original name of the company was My Princess Pearls and allowed her to sell at home parties and local events. She found a dependable source in the Philippines named Amara Flordeliza to supply the pearl jewelry. Within weeks of starting the business Amara informed Wendy of the horrible living conditions and dire circumstances of the women making the jewelry. Wendy realized the opportunity to help these women and wasted no time starting her non-profit organization Pearls With A Purpose.

Pearls with Purpose provides clothing, food, and educational supplies to 29 villages in the Philippines helping thousands. This mission is clear; to provide immediate relief, long term educational assistance and to teach these mothers skills to positively change their lives forever.

In 2006 Gifts That Lift became the parent company for My Princess Pearls and includes many other products. Gifts That Lift offers shoes, shirts, quilts and other products, but pearls still remain their best-seller. By keeping the cost of their product “fair and honest” they are able to move more product and in turn help more Filipino families. Each time you make a purchase you are helping these mothers, so go ahead and splurge!

Enjoy meeting Startup Princess Wendy Bird!

Hometown: California

Current Residence (City, State): Lehi, Utah

Education: 2 yr BYU, 1 yr- UofU

Professional Background (brief, please): 5 years running a 501c3 non-profit, Pearls with a Purpose Foundation, and two for-profit entities, My Princess Pearls and Gifts That Lift.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: a teacher or a truck driver, I liked to drive and travel, and I love children

What you are: a multi-tasking, brain-racking, running-on-empty, completely-hysterical 40-year old with a passion and a cause

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Began as a direct selling opportunity that turned humanitarian when living conditions were discovered in the area where the pearls were sourced. Non-profit began with the intent to help build and create self reliance through education, donations and training.

Company Website? www.myprincesspearls.com, www.giftsthatlift.net (movie) and www.pearlswithapurpose.org (foundation)

What inspired you? Humanitarian opportunity (the need) and God, and all those voices in my head…they wouldn’t shut up!! JK!! Read more

Written by Jessica Cryer · Filed Under Interviews 

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Successful women entrepreneurs understand that for every business venture, they are in charge of creating, organizing, developing, managing, and assuming all the risks associated with their enterprise. That can seem quite intimidating but as other women business owners will tell you, it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it! Success is within your grasp and Startup Princess is here to help.

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