A reflection on a year of entrepreneurship
When I look back on my life, I’ve always loved creating things from nothing. I remember vividly sketching costumes when I was in elementary school. Then designing dance formations and choreographing teams in high school. That turned into event planning and designing in college. And strat planning in grad school. That turned into curriculum development, capacity building, and community development in my career. All the while I found ways to make the spaces I was in feel comfortable, beautiful, inclusive, and where people feel that they belong.
I was fortunate to be able to have roles during my life that allowed me to be creative and build new things. But in the world of work, building in the constraints of someone else’s vision was difficult. I can find motivation in taking on a new challenge and doing my best to execute. But for the last 10 years I have desired autonomy to both vision and build something.
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t accidental. It was created from the moments and skills I’ve acquired in education and art. It was going after opportunities that felt out out reach, but aligned with my values. It was hearing no and learning to not let that tear down my self confidence.
I’ve had this idea of a company in my head for a long time. To build a for profit company that does social good. That creating beautiful spaces, where people can connect, are affordable and do not harm the planet. That artists can make a living wage for their work, and products don’t need to exploit labor to be profitable.
As much as I can daydream, to step into entrepreneurship meant that I have to acknowledge my growth points so I can take action. That I needed help to understand finances, taxes, and legal structures. That those pieces are just as important in creating the foundation and culture of a company, as is the actual physical pieces. I started this journey simply by making again. Learning, trying, growing. Taking the idea of candles and building confidence, telling myself I can do this while fighting the self doubt. And most importantly, by surrounding myself with other women who are figuring this out too.
Tura Lura just celebrated it’s first birthday, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped make this become a reality! This coming year I am going to be leaning in to how I thoughtfully make and sourced collections, and continue to offer meaningful shared experiences. And I’m confident this idea of a company for good will grow in time to become what it’s meant to be.
Tura Lura Co. - Thoughtfully sourced collections + shared experiences
