With the rise of more and more black women breaking away from traditional 9-5s to become their own bosses, the CEO is getting a revamp as the SHEeo. CEOs are forging their own paths, blazing their own trails, and turning their passion into a profit. Curious to know how she does it? In the Meet The SHEeo series, we talk to melanated mavens leveling up and glowing up, all while redefining what it means to be a boss.
D'Cher Whitaker has always been known for her unique statement pieces that are both inspiring and empowering, so when the opportunity arose, she launched Love Peridot—a collection of accessories and gifts curated with the ambitious woman in mind. Inspired by her grandmother's distinctive style, Love Peridot pairs unique designs with accessories that caters to the working woman. After three years of selling her goods online, the Chicago native expanded her business to include her first brick and mortar store in 2019.
In this week's feature, meet D'Cher Whitaker of Love Peridot.
The Stats
Title: CEO of Love Peridot
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Year Founded: 2016
# of Employee(s): 1
30-Second Pitch: Love Peridot is a collection of accessories and gifts curated with the ambitious woman in mind. We add every product with the intent to motivate, inspire and propel our customer's hustle.
The Details
What inspired you to start your brand?
My love for accessories was inspired by my grandmother. I am always asked where I got this piece and that piece and desired to open a shop with similar, distinctive statement accessories.
What was your a-ha moment that brought your idea into reality?
The a-ha moment was when "life is short" hit my home, literally. The loss of my mother-in-law and aunt within the same year really pushed me to make my daydream a reality.
Who is your ideal customer?
My ideal customer is a career woman, side hustler and entrepreneur. She wears many hats and sometimes needs a push to get her back on track. She loves to stand out but knows when to act up. She's a goal-getter. She's a BOSS.
What makes your business different?
We are different in that we are a gift shop that puts women first. Our customer is the ambitious woman and our mission is to empower, motivate and inspire her. A customer once said, "You have the most unique things. It's more than that though. I feel empowered." That's what makes us different!
What obstacles did you have to overcome while launching and growing your brand? How were you able to overcome them?
There were quite a few obstacles while launching and growing Love Peridot; the loss of loved ones, completing my MBA degree, working full-time and more. Of course, my circle is always there with an ear, a shoulder or help with whatever but more than anything, my faith helps me overcome it all. I believe what's for me is for me and I know where my help and strength come from.
What was the defining moment in your entrepreneurial journey?
The decision to enter our own brick and mortar was the defining moment in my journey. I was feeling really "meh" and struggling with online sales not knowing if I would even continue in 2019. At the very end of 2018, God said, "Faint not!" And an opportunity to have a physical space in one of the most popping areas of my city opened up for me. Since opening, I've been able to collaborate and build amazing community around us.
Where do you see your company in 5-10 years?
In 5-10 years, Love Peridot will be your black Anthropologie or Bando with a few more locations in your favorite cities. I want to be a gift and accessory hub for the ambitious woman where she can get ALL THE THINGS for herself and girlfriends; especially the motivation that she needs to keep going and make it happen.
Where have you seen the biggest return on investment?
Our biggest return on investment at this point is from our physical location. We do get conversions from Instagram as well.
Do you have a mentor? If so, who?
I do not have an actual mentor. However, so many women inspire me to be my best daily. Charis Jones (Sassy Jones), Melissa Butler (The Lip Bar), and Morgan DeBaun (Blavity) have all shown me that I can make my dream happen MY WAY. Sarah Jakes Roberts shows me that I can believe in God and still evolve.
Biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
The biggest lesson I've learned thus far is to always believe in myself and bet on myself. I'm learning that I am not an impostor! I'm making ish happen and it is 100% okay to tell the world all about it. I went from being shy about my accomplishments to owning and celebrating them. A bonus lesson is there is no need to compare; my way is perfect.
Anything else you would like for people to know, or take away from
Girl, do you!
NEVER settle. You deserve God's best.
It's okay to feel fear for the moment but don't let it take over your story.
Everything will fall into place as it should.
Keep going.
For more Love Peridot, follow them on social media @shoploveperidot.
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What made it even more special? We were back in the place where we first fell in love, now creating new memories in the same sun-drenched paradise. From booze cruises, pickleball matches, and wellness shots, to alluring late-night jacuzzi rendezvous, soul karaoke, and far too much champagne mixed with tequila, to really good jerk chicken and repeat-visit-worthy Asian cuisine, bae and I had a time.
Couples Negril And Couples Swept Away: Twins On The West Coast Of Jamaica
And it’s fitting that we visited in June (which is considered low season—a time when there are less travelers and better deals) because these sister resorts are like Gemini twins that embody two distinct sides of the same spirit.
Set between Negril and Hanover, Couples Negril is the social butterfly, full of energy and artistic flair; Couples Swept Away is the introspective dreamer, grounded in nature, wellness, and tranquility.
While they’re quite opposite in vibe, they’re united by a shared history and reflect the classic Gemini duality: light and shadow, play and peace, expression and reflection.
Bae’s Favorite: Chic, Modern, And Cozy At Couples Negril
Couples Negril Suite
Courtesy, Couples Negril
Bae’s favorite was Couples Negril—which has more than 230 rooms and spans 18 acres—for its mix of entertainment, modern minimalist vibes, and a diverse crowd of couples. He especially loved Otaheite Restaurant with its low-lit red velvet love seats and dishes meshing luxury with traditional island flavors (like the merlot stewed rabbit served with coconut polenta and the filet mignon with the jerk glaze.) And he lives for hearing me sing, so the piano bar was our jam.
We also spent lots of time at the beach bar, one of five on the property, snacking on fish tacos and sipping margaritas just steps from our suite.
We saved the rum for the included catamaran cruise (book ahead!), which came with endless punch and views of Negril’s West End—a fave spot of ours. Couples Negril made the all-inclusive life feel surprisingly easy and fun.
The property also features a treehouse spa, two pools, four jacuzzis, an au naturale beach (whew, chile!), and sports facilities. Everything was easy to access—the layout felt cozy and well-organized, making it simple to move between activities and amenities. At this resort, you can really have some grown-and-sexy fun without it feeling like a raunchy spring break episode of Couples Gone Wild.
My Favorite: Private, Classic Charm, & Nature Mystique At Couples Swept Away
Couple's Swept Away Suite
Courtesy, Couples Swept Away
While I loved Couples, once we stepped over to Couples Swept Away, the lush nature set on 19 acres won me over. This twin, which has 312 suites, 7 restaurants, 8 bars, 3 pools, 5 jacuzzis, and a spa, leans into intimacy and seclusion, and I felt like we had more privacy and room to explore–just the two of us—at this property. The rooms are rustic-luxurious, dressed in island cedar, with classic shutters and expansive verandahs that have hammocks where you can enjoy bright flora, the sounds of exotic birds, and the sea views.
The absence of TVs—along with its tropical fantasy allure— meant a 10 out of 10 experience for me. This resort invites couples to breathe deeper, slow down, and truly get to the core of intimacy, all within the hum of nature.
There were hidden enclaves with dipping pools, jacuzzis, open-air cafés, and quiet corners where you can sit by ponds filled with fish and bird watch (or have a little sneaky link with bae!)
One of my favorite stand-out amenities at this resort: the 10-acre fitness complex just a short walk across the road from the main property where I’d have my early-morning me-time while bae slept in. It has 10 tennis courts, squash and racquetball courts, a fully equipped gym, and a wide range of wellness and fitness classes are held there. I also enjoyed turmeric and ginger shots at the wellness bar.
Other standouts for food and nightlife included Lemon Grass (where you can enjoy Asian-inspired food and listen to the live music coming from downstairs), the chic Patois Bar (which was the late-night hotspot overlooking one of the pools and serving your usual bar fare like burgers and quesadillas—felt like we were at a Miami nightclub), and the Aura Bar (where bae sang with a quintet of other slightly drunken men and where we did the cliche but super-lit millennial couple thing: danced the night away to Top 40 hip-hop, salsa, and rock classics).
The Patois Bar
Courtesy, Couples Swept Away
Baecation Tip: Just be sure your partner packs a few linen or dress pants, loafers or soft dress shoes, and a few button-down shirts for the restaurants that require reservations. Also book your table and all-inclusive excursions in advance (or on the first day you arrive at the resort).
All in all, this resort-hop wasn’t the stifling, prison-in-paradise all-inclusive experience I remembered from the Jamaica family vacations of my youth. It also wasn’t the stereotypical AI disaster of bland food, lackluster customer service, and senior citizen activities that many complain about on social nowadays.
Both resorts offered a fresh take on luxury, great food, and good vibes—all without losing the intimacy we craved. All-inclusives might not be our every trip vibe, but for this chapter? It was exactly what we needed, and we look forward to making repeat bookings at both Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away in the future.
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