Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorothee Kumpe.
Hi Dorothee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started Deep Purpose as my deeper purpose. After corporate burn-out and a few stabs at moving away from a career in retail and admin/operations that left me feeling depleted and used, I took a leap of faith. I started turning a life-long hobby into a small business.
At first, I was only selling at vendor markets, then wholesaling to stores, and finally now, I sell online directly as well as traveling from Miami to Vero Beach setting up on the weekends at the various fairs and festivals that showcase hand-made wares.
Today, I am thrilled to be a staple at several markets weekly and I am the Vendor Coordinator for Pride on the Block which takes place in West Palm Beach on June 3rd, 2023: a fundraiser for TranspireHelp.org
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road to owning and operating my own small business has been a journey.
Aside from the usual business stresses of creating inventory and calendaring events, networking, and of course bookkeeping, Florida has had many changes in laws and culture. We face street permits being pulled; hurricane season and rained out events, and of course general changes in the economy and spending habits.
This year, with new laws being pushed through against women and the LGBTQIA+ community, has proven even more challenging on a human level when locals can no longer enjoy drag shows and our friends and family in the community are being ousted and made to be pariahs in a community that they paid taxes for and helped build, it’s sad and it’s hurtful that some are politicizing human life. When adversity shows itself, we rise to meet it with fairness, positivity, and love… Love wins.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a copper artist. I work with reclaimed copper wire, melting it with zinc, and then plating silver and gold to make wearable jewelry. I also do copper-forming which is a process to encase a real organic piece, like an orchid, or a scorpion. This process can take 4-80 hours, slowly depositing copper to seal in the piece forever. I pride myself on sourcing ethically and working with various communities to create interesting and unique unisex pieces.
My most popular ready-to-wear pieces are resin set insects and bugs mounted on stainless steel adjustable rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. So unique and easy to wear. Check out the online store or shop directly from my Instagram posts.
What matters most to you?
Respect. I think being respectful of human life is key. Respect yourself. Respect your time. Respect your work.
Respect the community. Respect the process. When we show up and hold space for RESPECT, we learn and expand so much more than being ignorant of another human. Respect is also the easiest thing to pay forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://deeppurposejewelry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deep_purpose
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeepPurposeJewelry
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothee-kumpe-55761287/
- Other: https://prideontheblock.com/
Image Credits
Wild Orchid Boudoir Photography and Devyn from Simply Great Productions
