“At QUT, I work as a social media ambassador. I create content for the university. Other than that, I have been studying and working. I’ve been working very, very hard on expanding Jaune Pearls here in Australia and finding its market," Melizza shared. Jaune Pearls, the family’s pearl business which spans more than two decades now, was named after her. Jaune, Melizza’s second name, turned into the Tanpocos' luxury business brand. Jaune also means yellow in French.
Melizza’s pearl credentials are solid. This is backed by her years of exposure and training, and a six-month online course and earned her pearl diploma from the Gemological Institute of America and went to New York City to do hands-on work in a laboratory. The same diploma was earned by her mom in 2015. Melizza's mom is Jenni Tanpoco, also known as the Philippines' “Queen of Pearls”.
What makes Melizza’s journey sweet is her warm working relationship with her parents. Her mom and dad, Jenni and Mark, have always been supportive of their daughters and are noticeably present in their career milestones. “My parents are the best parents in the world! I can’t ask for better parents. They’re just very supportive!,” Melizza raved. She attributed her success-in-progress to her parents, who lovingly pushed her to do what she is doing now.