Melissa Randazzo has been through her share of health scares. From a diagnosis with Endometriosis, to the early birth of her son, to a second pregnancy that almost killed her, Randazzo has sought ways to provide herself comfort and healing throughout. During her early rounds of IVF for her first child she started making jewelry for herself with healing crystals like moonstone, rose quartz and tourmaline. Not only did Randazzo find they worked for her, soon friends and family began requesting them as well and thus her business True Warrior Jewelry was born. Today the Staten Island, New York-based mompreneur is focused on finding a good work-life balance, while also enjoying the new celebrity following her jewelry has found.
Randazzo’s story, as told to The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project:
About three years ago I was diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis. I had to undergo surgery and various treatments. The surgery left me without my fallopian tubes. My husband and I were newly married, and devastated as we wanted a little baby of our own and fertility treatment was our only option. I underwent a few rounds of IVF, which included hormone treatment, daily doctor’s appointments and blood tests, hundreds of needles to my tummy and various surgical procedures. IVF didn’t seem to be working on it’s own, so I researched holistic treatments. And that is where I discovered the power of crystals!
I read that Moonstone and Rose Quartz were excellent stones for fertility, so I went out, bought some beads and made my own fertility bracelet. And guess what? I became pregnant during the round of IVF where I wore the fertility bracelet I had made. During this time, a few girls I worked with were going through the same thing as me, and they asked me to make them bracelets as well. Then they wanted bracelets for their friends and family, who wanted some for their friends and family and so on. Fast forward a few months…my pregnancy landed me in the hospital on a few occasions for bleeding and early contractions. And after only being pregnant for 6 1/2 months, my little boy decided it was time to come out. He was born premature at only 30 weeks, weighing just 3lbs.
We spent weeks and weeks in the hospital’s NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit. This was a very trying time for both myself and my husband. I already suffer from anxiety and the circumstance surrounding my son’s birth was making me even more anxious, as we didn’t know if he was going to be okay, or when we would be allowed to take him home or even hold him. So I turned to crystals again and made myself more jewelry to keep myself grounded and calm. I nicknamed my little man my True Warrior, because that is exactly what he is. He’s a strong willed little boy who pushed through. And I am happy to say that he is now a happy and healthy almost 2 year old boy!
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During this time I realized just how much crystal jewelry helped me through some of my most difficult times. So when my son was finally released from the hospital I decided that I was going to turn this into a business, so that I can share the amazing properties of crystals with the rest of the world. I am so grateful that I have been able to do this and I love hearing stories of how my jewelry has helped others! I hope that my jewelry can help people the same way it helped me!
My definition of success it to be able to do what I love and am passionate about, while also being able to provide for my family. I also feel that success is the ability to make others see their best potential and push them to follow their goals.
My biggest success to date is the birth of my two miracle babies! But if we are talking about my business, my biggest success has been seeing my jewelry worn by popular celebrities that I love, such as Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars, Nico Torterolla from Younger and Elizabeth Lial from You.
I hope to eventually be able to grow my company, so that I can work full time on it. I hope to eventually be able to hire employees, specifically women and/or mothers who may be struggling. I also hope to spread awareness about Endometriosis and fertility and push people to get the help and support that they need so that they don’t have to go through what I went through.
My top challenge has been learning how to find time to manage both work and life. I feel that I had trouble in the past pulling myself away from my family to work. I almost felt guilt about it. But I am slowly overcoming this and learning that working is how I am going to be able to provide for my family. I just remind myself that when I am working, even though I may be away from my children, it is not forever and I am only doing so to benefit them! My success is their success!
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In terms of personal challenges, just this past year I gave birth to my second little miracle baby, which resulted in the need for an emergency hysterectomy as I bled out the day after. I almost died. I lost a significant part of my body, the part that gave me my two babies. After this happened it helped me to be that much more grateful for what I have. I put that idea into my business and came out with a line specific for feminine energy and overcoming trauma. I also shared my story with my followers and opened myself up to help others going through what I went through. It helped me to feel closer to my customers!
My biggest role model is my mother, as cliche as that sounds. My mother was a single mother who was in an abusive relationship with a deadbeat man. She worked her butt off to provide for me and my brother. She taught me self discipline and showed me what a strong work ethic looks like. I thank her for my ability to push through whatever circumstances are in front of me.
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