Community Highlights: Meet Jessica Walker-rios of River Walkers Minerals

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Walker-rios

Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My adventure began when I was just a little girl. My family had a serious case of wanderlust, and one unforgettable summer, we took an RV out west and teamed up with paleontologists to dig up real dinosaur bones! Imagine my surprise when I discovered a Tyrannosaurus rex tooth—the very first one ever found in that locale. That find was such a big deal that I ended up being interviewed and featured in their magazine. Not too shabby for a kid, right?

Our childhood summers weren’t all dinosaur digs, though. We’d also head up north to Charlevoix, Michigan, where we’d hunt for bucket-loads of Petoskey stones.

With my dad as the president of our local gem club, we were always off on fun field trips and getting involved in some fantastic gem shows. I’m not sure if it was all those amazing memories or the geode water I drank as a mischievous kid, but my love for fossils and minerals grew by leaps and bounds. Fast forward to today, and here I am—proud owner of River Walkers Minerals!”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think every small business owner has had to overcome bumps in their path. For me, the struggles usually come around the time of the big national gem shows (Denver in the fall and Tucson in the winter). These are notoriously slow times for us little guys, so getting through those dry months is always a challenge. So far I’ve been able to successfully get through them without too much of my hair turning grey.

Thankfully, my husband Poet is my partner and helps the company out a tremendous amount. It would be exponentially harder if I didn’t have such a supportive business partner by my side.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
River Walkers Minerals is all about bringing collectors incredible minerals, fossils, and artifacts that truly stand out. Every single piece we offer is hand-picked with care. I personally inspect every millimeter to ensure it meets our high standards. People come to us not just for our expertise, but because they know our pieces are top-notch.

What really sets us apart, though, is our close relationship with miners and mine owners. By working directly with them, we’re able to secure the best deals, which means we can offer our amazing inventory at prices much lower than you’d expect. Plus, we offer payment plans because we believe everyone—no matter their budget—deserves the chance to own something extraordinary.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the quiet kid who preferred the company of nature and animals over crowds of people. As the middle child, well, if you know, you know.
My heart was always drawn to traveling, horseback riding, and anything related to the ocean. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by island life, especially the Caribbean. This fascination has led to countless personal adventures in that area, and even now, I’m always plotting my next return. As a teenager, I took it to the next level and lived on a sailboat in the southern Caribbean for a while—talk about a dream come true!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.riverwalkersminerals.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/mineral.mami
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/r4LXdH8kqDBRJ1wf/?mibextid=K35XfP