ATACAMA HOME- Julia story

Julia Camara Calvo

Founder of ATACAMA HOME

-SPAIN-

What inspired you to start your brand?

The original founder of Atacama Home, Dora Medrano, and all of the amazing artisans I've built relationships with over the years.

How has your immigrant journey shaped your business?

As a brand that focuses on hand-made objects from Latin America, Spain and Portugal, being an immigrant and understanding the Hispanic diaspora is key. I'm very proud of my journey, roots, and shared culture and history with my artisan partners.

What challenges did you face building your brand?

I'm fairly young and with only a few years experience in the design industry, as I came to it later in life without formal training. Being taken seriously and learning to be assertive can some times be hard, especially when one has a clear accent.

What are you most proud of?

The relationships I've built with my artisan partners and my returning customers. I truly value the trust they all put on me, and always work hard to pay the trust forward.

What makes your brand unique?

We ONLY sell items that are hand-made, almost exclusively by artists in and/or from Latin America, Spain and Portugal. We focus on unique carefully curated luxury items that are not easy to find.

What does being part of FEMMENAS mean to you?

We have really clear shared goals and ethos. Immigrant women supporting immigrant women is as powerful a motto as I can imagine!