Today we’d like to introduce you to Dera Campbell.
Hi Dera, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Kurated Style has been in business now for two years, first starting out in Bangkok, Thailand, and now based in San Francisco, CA. We design and curate home, garden and lifestyle decor that reflects our Lao heritage, Thai influences, and sustainable designs that add a cultural touch to any modern bohemian aesthetic.
We work with select partners (mainly female-owned small businesses) in SE Asia to help preserve traditional weaving skills. Our products are made in small batches from natural materials such as bamboo, seagrass, palm leaves, and rattan. Our mission is to support and highlight the beautiful goods made by artisans that are not readily available in the US.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We have grown organically, doubling our sales via our online store at www.kuratedstyle.com. We also have a 20% customer return rate, which is pretty amazing that 1 out of 5 customers purchase our products collection after collection. We also have very supportive Lao-American and small business collaborators who share our passion and help amplify our brand.
But like all entrepreneurs, we are still challenged with finding the time to do every aspect of running a business, such as keeping up with social media, creating content, updating our website and blogs. Most days, we have to prioritize just 1-2 things and the ‘to do’ list can feel overwhelming. There is no easy or smooth road to working for and by yourself! However, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned these past few years is to measure your success against your own goals and not compare your brand with others. If you are passionate and authentic with people who “get” what you’re doing, that’s the community you need and want.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We want Kurated Style to be known for quality, handmade home decor that mixes neutrals with Southeast Asian designs. We don’t work with factories, and my favorite part about all our products is that each is truly unique and the colors are all hand-dyed. Our loyal customers love the perfectly imperfect look of our handwoven goods. The feedback we receive is that it adds warmth, texture and a reminder of their travels to Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory was growing up in Hawaii, and I could go to the beach and hang out with friends without locking our car doors. We felt safe and carefree, unlike the pressures and challenges we now face being parents to kids who are always connected to their devices. I sometimes wish they could experience a childhood where we were always outside in nature and had few technological distractions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kuratedstyle.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kurated_style
- Facebook: facebook.com/kuratedstyle
