When was the last time you let your curiosity completely redirect your life?

For Matt Harris, it started with a pair of bridesmaid necklaces. Twenty-nine years ago, Matt and his fiancée decided to gift pearls to their bridal party. He volunteered to do the shopping and got completely hooked. Not just on the jewelry, but on the story behind it. Why were pearls so misunderstood? Why didn’t salespeople know more about them? What made them so historically significant?

Today, Matt’s a pearl designer, historian, educator, and speaker who’s building a business around something most of us never gave a second thought. And in our latest episode of Business Origin Stories, he shares the winding journey that got him here. Including what it took to walk away from a successful tech company and go all in on pearls.

How Pearls Sparked a
Career Pivot

Matt calls himself the “pearl guy” and the deeper you go into his story, the more undeniable that identity becomes. He’s not only designing beautiful jewelry; he’s breathing new life into one of the world’s oldest gems. In his view, pearls are the most influential, important gems in the world, more so than diamonds. And he has the receipts to prove it.

From ancient texts to royal portraits, pearls have been adorning humanity for millennia. But most people still don’t understand how to buy, wear, or even value them. That’s where Matt comes in. His mission is to make pearls accessible, exciting, and wearable for everyone.

What started as a side interest became a full-blown business just a couple years ago. After a winding career through software, wine distribution, and retail management, Matt made the leap and hasn’t looked back.

The Power of Showing Up
(and Asking)

One of my favorite parts of Matt’s story is how he makes his own luck.

Whether it was convincing a jewelry store owner to let him manage the business during the holidays (and then tripling their revenue), or pitching himself to speak on a Tahitian pearl tour with zero credentials but plenty of enthusiasm, Matt builds what he wants to see: careers, connections, opportunities – and he invites others to do the same.

It’s the power of persistence, even when the answer is “no.” The importance of asking again and again. And the unexpected magic that happens when you show up with intention, energy, and a genuine desire to contribute.

Perception is Everything

There’s a story Matt tells about watching a hypnotist convince someone they couldn’t pick up a coffee cup. It might sound silly, but that moment at age 14 shaped the way he’s approached life and business ever since.

If your brain believes something is impossible, your body will follow. But the reverse is also true. If you believe something is possible (really believe it), you’ll find the energy, ideas, and courage to make it real.

Matt’s advice? Use the power of perception to create your own reality. Visualize your future. Decide that it’s already yours. Then take the steps to make it true.

From Jewelry Store Floors to
In-Flight Entertainment

Matt’s story is a masterclass in reinvention. And it’s filled with practical lessons for anyone thinking about making a pivot, launching a new offer, or simply showing up with more purpose:

• Start with people. The fastest path to growth is talking to the humans in front of you. Ask questions, offer solutions, and be of service.

• Persistence beats perfection. If you get a no, try again. And again. Your willingness to follow up might be the thing that sets you apart.

• Ask more often. Most of us are one ask away from a breakthrough. Don’t assume the answer is no – just ask.

• Visualize your 2.0 self. The exercise Matt shared is so worth doing. Close your eyes, see your future self, and let that version of you start showing up today.

Matt’s now speaking on global stages, creating in-flight entertainment for Air Tahiti, and helping everyone from celebrities to everyday shoppers fall in love with pearls. But it all started with a question: “What if I just tried?”

If you’re standing at the edge of something new, wondering if it’s too late or too risky, I hope this episode reminds you that it’s never too late.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.