OUR BIRTH SCHOOL

EDDIE DERCHE

CEO & Founder

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As a young boy, Eddie lived in the tough streets of Chicago. He was born into a world of violence and gangs, and by the age of 16, he had already gotten into trouble with the law.

Eddie's mother, desperate to keep him out of harm's way, made the difficult decision to send him to live with his cousin in Houston, Texas. It was there that Eddie met his cousin, a talented jewelry maker who owned his own jewelry studio.

At first, Eddie was skeptical of his cousin's business. He had never thought of jewelry as a legitimate career choice, and he was unsure if he even had the patience for it. However, as he began to spend more time in the studio, he found that he enjoyed the work and had a natural talent for it.

Eddie's cousin saw his potential and took him under his wing, teaching him everything he knew about jewelry making. Eddie worked hard, honing his skills and learning about different types of materials and techniques. He discovered that he loved the challenge of turning raw materials into beautiful works of art.

As Eddie grew in his knowledge and confidence, he realized that his life had taken a drastic turn from the path it was on in Chicago. He was no longer surrounded by danger and negativity, but by creativity and beauty. He was grateful to his cousin for giving him a chance and was proud of the jewelry maker he was becoming.

Years went by, and Eddie became a skilled and successful jeweler in his own right. He opened his own studio and was able to support himself and his family through his passion. However, he never forgot his roots and the struggles he faced growing up in Chicago. He wanted to give back and help others who were facing similar challenges.

So, Eddie made the decision to return to his hometown and start JDMA, the Jewelry Design and   Manufacturing Academy. The goal of JDMA is to provide youth with a safe and nurturing environment where they could learn the art of jewelry making and develop valuable skills that would help them succeed in life.

Eddie has worked tirelessly to build JDMA into a community of people who are passionate about jewelry and eager to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. 

In the end, Eddie's story was a testament to the transformative power of hard work, determination, and a little bit of opportunity. He went from the tough streets of Chicago to the bright lights of Houston, and from a young man in trouble to a successful jeweler and mentor. And although his journey was not easy, he is proud of where he has been and where he has ended up, and he is eager to continue making a difference in the lives of others for years to come.