Meet Mari Wells | Business Owner and Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mari Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mari, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born right here in Tucson, Arizona. I was raised in a mainly from Colorado, though I have lived all over the country. My mother was a Wildlife Artist, Naturalist, and Art Educator. My father is a Travel Adventurer and Entrepreneur. Growing up, my parents owned and ran Inuit Art Galleries in Aspen, Colorado and Carmel, California. I have been in the art world for basically my whole life. I started representing my mother’s artwork when I was 18 years old. I have always been involved with my family’s businesses in one way or another. Both of my parents have had a huge impact on who I am, and why I decided to start my own business.
I have been working in the Mineral & Fossil Industry, via family friends during the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show for the past 7 years. My experience with the art world has given me a unique perspective on so many aspects of that world. My mother always encouraged my love of art and Natural History, so I really have to thank her for my abilities in those fields. My father has always helped me to develop a keen sense of business and adventure. I am very lucky to have been raised in such incredible places, by parents who have done such incredible things. It has always been my plan to walk in their footsteps, albeit to the tune of my own drum.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Journey of Discovery Store about a year and a half ago. I had been wanting to start my own business for many years. Finally, with the encouragement of my father and step-mother, I took the plunge. Due to my years in the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show, I have curated an incredible collection of Fine Minerals, Crystals, Fossils, and Meteorites. What sets me apart from other businesses is my extensive knowledge of the materials that I sell, and the quality and variety of minerals, fossils and meteorites that I have access to. This is my passion. I love to educate and inspire. Getting kids interested in STEM and Natural Science is a big goal of mine. It makes my heart fill with joy every time I get to put a fossil or meteorite in a kid’s hand that has never before touched such things. The expression on their faces is everything that I need to push forward to keep doing what I do. I also work full-time, so this has been a hard process. My business is me. I do all of the work- from making my website and maintaining my social media sites, to inventory and accounting, to setting up and breaking down each event that I vend at. It has been a long and winding road, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am excited to see where I will go in this next year and beyond.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I would take my visitor to Poco and Mom’s Cantina for breakfast. Their Santa Fe Style Breakfast is out of this world. Then, I would take them for a hike to Sabino Canyon, which is not far from Poco & Mom’s. Then I would take them for dinner at Hacienda del Sol to enjoy their exquisite fare while watching the sunset. On day two, we would start the day at La Cocina for breakfast, and then explore all of the beautiful goods and wares available for sale at Old Town Artisans. After which we would head out to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Followed by dinner and drinks at The Delta Downtown.
Day 3 would be heading up to Mt. Lemmon for one of the best scenic drives available in this region. Dinner would be at Vivace’s- because it is the best Italian restaurant in town.
Day Four- Tubac! Dinner at Elvira’s Tubac.
Day Five would be breakfast at Prep & Pastry on Grant. Then a nice visit to The Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum. Truly a must-go for any museum-nerd and/or mineral aficionado. Dinner would be at Cielo’s.
Day 6 would include breakfast and coffee at Ren, followed by a day checking out the incredible artisans and food vendors at St. Philip’s Plaza Market. Followed by dinner at Reforma Mexican Cantina.
For brunch on Day 7, we would go to Hub Downtown Restaurant & Ice Creamery. Then a spa-day at Westword Look Resort & Spa. The last dinner would definitely be at Villa Peru Restaurant.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a big shout out to my family, and all of my connections in the Mineral & Fossil Industry who have guided and taught me, and encouraged me to set out to start a business of my own.

Website: www.journeyofdiscoverystore.com

Instagram: @journeyofdiscoverystore

Linkedin: @journeyofdiscoverystore

Facebook: @journeyofdiscoverystore

Other: Tiktok: @journeyofdisciverystore

Image Credits
Mari Wells & Journey of Discovery Store