We had the good fortune of connecting with Laurel Lampasas-Carroll and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laurel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always loved to create, but when my grandfather got sick, it became a form of self care for me. It got to a point where I started creating so much that it only made sense to start selling some! The choice to begin to donate 10% of sales to Alzheimer’s Research Foundation was a natural next step to do so from the origin story of what the business was created from, and something I love to do in remembrance of my grandfather’s life, too.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I visualize this jewelry/accessory business as an opportunity to build relational connection. I love that through creation of pretty things ends up fostering conversation and connections people and every sale goes towards something bigger- helping fight against an illness that has the ability for people to lose the awareness of the connections with people they’ve built over their life time. There’s something pretty beautiful about that, and I’m enjoying the people side of it all!

The start of Life of Laurel was hard! Sales is always tough, and selling in the COVID pandemic and the rigorous markets and shows were dang hard and could provide some major discouragement. I was more of a making whatever and selling the one of a kind pieces, wanting everything to be handmade. Providing the finances and curating the resources to put forward all the pieces takes quite a bit of time and organization- both of which have helped me understand my product and personal value, too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting Houston, I’d try to pack it full of favorite places in all areas of Houston!

If we stayed around Spring Branch, we’d have to hit up Blue Willow Bookshop for some good reads, check out Sweet in City Center for macaroons and coffee, have lunch at Izakaya-Wa Memorial for sushi and udon, Dwell &Adorn has some fun vintage and curated pieces and have homemade candles from N&R Vintage Candles that are the best, Slowpokes right by there, too! Ciro’s Italian Grill for some yummy food and bocce ball over an espresso martini. The Library for some wine and charcuterie, too!

In Katy we’d check out Homebrew’s for their iced matcha, Wildflower Threads is my FAVORITE boutique located in Old Town Katy and next door have a look around at KT Antiques, their Katy Asian town has some great foodie options!

The Heights has Favor the Kind and Tre’ Sorelle cutie boutiques to check out, Loro for some fun BBQ Asian fusion or Superica for some of my favorite Mexican food and margs in the city.

We’d also have to find out if there was any fun makers markets going on through H&H Markets, Vibe Artisan Markets or local farmers markets.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to recognize all those that have supported the business and shared their story with their relation to Alzheimer’s at the various markets and DM’s I’ve received on social media. You are seen and heard and I thank you!

The Lampasas Family and my dear Husband for supporting my business dreams!

I’d love to thank Chloe Danielle Film- my creative sister whose helped me at shows, offers input, models and photographs me to help me look somewhat put together!

Wildflower Threads- for always being supportive and being the first store front to offer my line continuously. Alex- thanks for encouraging and fostering this business dream!

Website: https://www.lifeoflaurel.com

Instagram: @lifeoflaurel

Facebook: Life of Laurel

Image Credits
Chloe Lampasas with Chloe Danielle Film for the creative shoot and myself for others

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