Today we’d like to introduce you to Katina ( Pearl) Warr.
Hi Katina ( Pearl) , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with Pearls of Paradisus 21 (POP21) began from a very personal place. I’ve lived with depression and anxiety for much of my life, and after becoming a mother again, experiencing postpartum depression, and going through one of the most difficult seasons of my life, I realized how important it was to have simple tools that could help me reset in the moments when I felt overwhelmed.
There was a period when I was rebuilding my life while living in a domestic violence shelter with my children. I was navigating motherhood, healing, uncertainty, and entrepreneurship all at the same time. But somewhere in that season, my pain began turning into purpose.
I’ve always believed wellness shouldn’t feel like a luxury. Everyone may not have access to a spa, a retreat, or even the time to step away when life becomes overwhelming. I wanted to create something people could reach for right in the middle of real life—at work, in the car, at home with their children, before bed, or during an anxious moment.
That vision became POP21 and eventually our signature product, the Airye Bag™, a portable aromatherapy wellness tool designed around one simple ritual: Squeeze • Inhale • Reset.
Building this company has been just as much a healing journey as it has been a business journey. I’ve had to learn how to keep showing up even when life didn’t look perfect. Along the way, I’ve had opportunities I once could only imagine, from completing entrepreneurship programs and pitch competitions to having my story and business featured in Times Square and other media platforms.
But what means the most to me is hearing from real people who have incorporated the Airye Bag into their everyday lives. Every message reminds me why I started.
Today, I’m not just building a product company. I’m building a wellness movement centered around accessible tools, mental wellness, community, and creating safe spaces, especially for women and mothers who have spent so much time surviving that they’ve forgotten what it feels like to simply breathe.
I’m still building. I’m still healing. I’m still learning. And I think that’s one of the most beautiful parts of my story: I didn’t wait until my life was perfect to turn my pain into purpose. I started with what I had, where I was, and kept going.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I built my business during one of the hardest seasons of my life, navigating depression, postpartum depression, motherhood, domestic violence, and eventually rebuilding my life after spending months in a shelter with my children.
At the same time, I was learning entrepreneurship through trial and error. Creating a product people had never seen before meant I had to educate customers about the Airye Bag while learning marketing, manufacturing, branding, funding, and how to scale.
But those challenges became part of my purpose. They taught me resilience and reminded me why I created POP21 in the first place, to give people an accessible way to find a moment of calm in the middle of real life. I’ve learned that sometimes you’re building your dream while rebuilding yourself, and that’s okay.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
POP21 (Pearls of Paradisus 21) is a holistic wellness brand focused on making wellness, aromatherapy, and self-care accessible in everyday life. As the founder, I’m also a holistic wellness practitioner, artist, and life coach, using my personal journey and creativity to help others reconnect with themselves, heal, and reset.
We are best known for our signature Airye Bag, a portable aromatherapy wellness tool created around one simple practice: Squeeze • Inhale • Reset. Our different blends are designed to support different wellness experiences, making it easy to incorporate aromatherapy into your day wherever you are.
What makes POP21 different is that it’s more than a product, it’s a lifestyle and community centered around mental wellness, healing, confidence, and intentional living. I’m most proud that something created from my own healing journey has grown into a brand that can help others create their own moments of peace.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, to me, is about more than money, accomplishments, or recognition. It’s having the freedom to live in alignment with who I am, be present for my children, and create something that positively impacts others.
Success has also meant learning how to say no, set healthy boundaries, and choose myself without feeling guilty. It’s intentionally pouring into myself and my mental health every single day so I’m not constantly giving from an empty cup.
Ultimately, success is continuing to grow mentally, spiritually, and professionally while turning my pain into purpose. If I can protect my peace, take care of myself, be present for my family, and help others along the way, that is success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pop21life.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pop21_wellness?stkn=MWJreTc1OG0yeWtsNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katina-pearl-warr-00a5173b1?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
