Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Proctor.
Hi Jacob, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Astrid and Jacob are both degreed geologists and began their journey together while living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Their love for exploration led them to prospect throughout Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul. Moreover, their passion for discovery took them through far-flung villages in the remote countryside. Whether they were lost in the jungle searching for aquamarine or narrowly escaping gun-toting pistoleros in the dried-out Rio Doce river basin, they often encountered the good-natured hospitality of kind-hearted miners and their families.
In each adventure, they brought donations of backpacks filled with clothes, and sometimes even fresh chicken for those who primarily lived off fruits and vegetables. As a result of these goodwill gestures, they were introduced to family or friends in other parts of Brazil. They directly source and offer through KRS Alligator Quartz, Amethyst, Apatite, Aquamarine, Calcite, Emerald, Imperial Topaz, Muscovite, the famed Tourmalines from Aricanga and Chia mine and countless other unique and fine mineral specimens!
Astrid and Jacob left Brazil in 2015 and established their rock and mineral sales business under the name of “Gems In The Rough”. In 2019 after several years of offering their treasures through shows, they moved to Katy, Texas, and are now proudly bring their findings and acquisitions to the public through The Katy Rock Shop.
Visit us at our brick’s and mortar store in Katy at:
821 Avenue C. Katy Tx 77493
We are open 7 days a week. Monday – Friday (11am-6pm), Saturday (10am-5pm) and Sunday (noon – 5pm)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
By no means smooth, when we took the reins of KRS we had just a few months before COVID-19 hit and navigating the lock downs and a dynamic market brought ups and downs. Continuous adaptation was required to manage profitability as the market went from in-store buying to at-home, online purchasing. Enticing families back through unique offerings like gem mining, Dino rides and Earth science classes became a crucial step to get families off their computers and buying again. Every day literally brings a new adventure and our growth to educational services has become a highly emotionally rewarding direction to go, as we can see interest budding in the young and old alike!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
There aren’t many businesses that bring practical science and scientific method to all age groups. Jacob carries multiple degrees from Rice University and University of Texas at Austin and has over 20 peer review publications and 2 patents in the area of core analysis for the oil and gas industry. His background and interest has been concentrated on one side through finding and providing extremely high quality mineral and fossil specimens that attract collectors from all over Houston, and on the other side to establishing a Earth Science program that is developed for Homeschoolers, designed to augment the curriculum of parents needing practical, hands on science education and laboratory methods. While our shop is known for the spectacular minerals, families regularly find us to do geode poppin’, or to enjoy our Dino park on Sundays that includes gem mining, a ride on our bucking TREX or to take a actual walk on the only walking triceratops in USA called Trixie!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
People are coming back to in store purchasing as we all look for a meaningful ways experience life beyond the screen.
Pricing:
- Gem mining costs between $10 to $15
- Dino rides are $5 a ride
- Earth science classes range from $25 to $40 per class and homeschool group discounts apply!
- Birthday parties are $325 for 2 hours, a tour guide, 15 gem mining bags and a private indoor area for food and party time!
- Our gem mining is mobile and we take to festivals and events all over Houston for events over 50 people
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Katyrockshop.com
- Instagram: Katyrockshop
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekatyrockshop
Image Credits
Jacob proctor
