Meet Dulce Ruby Peralta | Artist & Founder of Despierta

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dulce Ruby Peralta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dulce Ruby, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in the West Valley, but my family is from Sonora, Mexico. Because of this, I spent my childhood going back & forth to visit mis abuelos (my grandparents) and extended family over the weekends, holidays, and summer.

Before the beaches were overtaken by resorts and golf courses through a boom in tourism, there was a sense of serenity and exploration that filled our time there. ATVing on endless sand dunes and then watching sunsets reflect masterpieces off the Sea of Cortez brought about a great, deep balance into my life that I soon learned to create (and seek) in other areas of my life as I grew up.

That, intertwined with spending countless hours with my grandparents – listening to cuentos (stories) and learning more about who we are as a people, filled my mind and being with curiosity and an even greater sense of purpose, looking back.

A lot of what I do and who I am stems from both the adventure aspect and the cultural wisdom & traditions of my upbringing. Had it not been for my deeply rooted love for travel and deeper introspections of ‘who are we, really’ I wouldn’t have even sought any of what I’ve been able to accomplish thus far, nor would I be doing the work that I am.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe that life is a series of artworks and that in the end, as we may perceive it, it is about how we chose to create (live) that makes the collection magical.

My art has flowed through me in many forms and mediums over the years; audio journeys as guided meditations, self-portraits around the world in sacred spaces & places, an original show on CETV called Waking Realm, and poetic prose to name a few. All in all, my main intention throughout this past decade professionally has been to create beautiful, soul-healing, and reflective pieces that could aid those who came across them on their (spiritual) journey.

Currently, my love and focus has become set on something more tangible, accessible, and integrative. After years of traveling the globe for world peace guiding meditations, hosting events and doing speaking engagements, I felt a deep pull to create something entirely different than I had ever done before.

Having the experience of seeing thousands of people meditating and many having difficulty, I began to reflect on how to best serve the masses and what I could create to still gift them the peace and stillness that meditation offers, in a more tangible form without the intimidation that at times can come when you picture meditation.

As an apprentice curandera, lifelong lover of plants, and an artist to the core of my being – the more I sat with it, the more I became clearer.

About three years ago now, amid the pandemic’s beginnings I found the silver lining of lockdowns and began deep diving into my research on consciousness and the metaphysical alongside medicinal properties of plants and wholistic herbalism.

And after about 2 years of formulation, testing (testing, and testing some more), I came up with my latest magic and brand, DESPIERTA.

This new art is helping people naturally improve their sleep and day to day life as well as aiding them in diving deeper into their dreams through a modern take on an ancient practice – plant medicine – in the form of herbal tea and what I coined as ‘superpowders’.

I am now about 8 months launched, and though it has not been a smooth ride to start a whole new venture (and my very first physical products) amid a global pandemic – the feedback has been incredible and makes it all worth it as you can really sense this is something that so many of us are looking for (improving our mental, physical and spiritual well-being) after the past few years of what can only be defined as ‘chaos.’

With supply chain issues and postal delays, especially in the earlier stages of creation, I had to quickly learn how to pivot and improvise.. as well as learn the hardest lessen: how to ‘let go’ of things that are out of your control.

Before even launching I had a few friends and mentors who had previously gone through starting their own companies tell me similar things would arise and that to be open to being flexible with timelines because almost always, they will change.

Now, looking at even just these past few years of bringing it all into fruition, I’d say that’s possibly the best advice anyone can give when it comes to business.

And when it comes to any and everything else, including business, the best advice I can give is to be patient and understanding, as magic is gifted to those who do not rush their destiny. — aka ‘Just keep going.’

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooh, this is a tough one! I’m a foodie so I will put my focus there, haha.

If this were just a day trip I’d start with a breakfast at Colados (preferably a nice drink with a crepe), hang out and catch up and possibly head on over to either the PHX Art Museum or the Heard Museum. If we had enough time I’d say a lunch at The Coronado (the cauliflower tacos are divine, trust me), then head on over to Sedona.

Nature and me go hand in hand, so I have some incredible musts for hikes and sunset/sunrise views. I’d take them to Cathedral Rock if they’re not too tired to stay close to town, and then (yes, again, food haha) either Elote Cafe or ChocolaTree for dinner.

For sunrise I’d head on out to Airport Mesa for the most beautiful 360 view and then check out the local shops and Tlaquepaque before heading back to Phoenix.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, believe my family – and my 3 sisters specifically – deserve the loudest Shoutout. We are all very close and have been through so much together – had it not been for them, who knows where or who I’d be. And then there are so many beautiful people along the way that simply by our interactions inspired or guided me, or even those on social media that supported and have cheered me on through all of my evolutions.. I think at the end of the day, they all deserve a bit of credit (and gratitude) in my story!

Website: https://despierta.one/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dulceruby & https://instagram.com/despierta.one

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulceruby/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dulceruby

Other: For Wholesale / Retail inquiries: wholesale@despierta.one My show on CETV: http://wakingrealm.com/

Image Credits
Dulce Ruby & Stephen Gaitan